Though hardly an exhaustive introduction, this new member in the series already including Shinto and Islam will be welcomed by those seeking to learn more about this subject without being overburdened by detail.Buddhism begins with an overview of the historical and mythical roots of the tradition, focusing on Siddhartha Gautama's enlightenment and the subsequent spread of his teachings across the Silk Road from India to Southeast Asia. Eckel goes on to explore, albeit briefly, the sacred texts of the Mahayana, Therevada, and Tantric schools of Buddhism; sacred space and time in Buddhist thought; and the interaction between Buddhism and society. Without shying away from philosophic complexity, Eckel manages to convey the Buddhist basics in remarkably few words, and the many illustrations complement an engaging read.
