Thames & Hudson 1984 (1st edition). Hardcover with dust wrapper, 308 sider. 4to
Half a millennium before Jesus, more than a millennium before Mohammed, the Buddha found Enlightenment. And until the Chinese Revolution the number of his followers far exceeded the number of Christians and Muslims added together. This book follows the fortunes of Buddhism through time and space, from the founding of the world's largest monastic Order in north-eastern India 2,500 years ago to contemporary America, where its many adherents continue to find its supremely civilized ethos of benevolence, honesty and self-control of immense appeal. This book presents the whole of that most varied contribution to Asiatic civilization in a vivid and authoritative manner. World renowned scholars-some, such as Professor Lamotte and Professor Zurcher, of pre-eminent and longstanding distinction, others of a younger generation in the forefront of new research, all with a gift for lucid exposition - have provided the eleven chapters. Historical documents and modern photographs elucidate the Buddhist way of life.