In this authoritative guide, one of the world's most distinguished scholars of Buddhism provides a compact summary of the tradition's development, from the time of the Buddha to the 20th century exile of the Dalai Lama. With skill, sympathy, and insight, Conze traces 2,500 years of Buddhist history, providing a lively explanation of the origins of Buddhism and its most basic doctrines. Covering all the Buddhist schools from Mahayana to Zen, this comprehensive, concise study is widely acknowledged as the classic introduction to the history of the Buddhist tradition, perfect for students and interested readers alike.

Table of Contents

Introduction. The First Five Hundred Years: 500-0 BC2. The Second Period: AD 0-5003. The Third Period: AD 500-10004. The Last One Thousand Years: AD 1000-1978. Bibliography. Index.

About the Author

Edward Conze studied Indian and comparative philosophy at the universities of Bonn and Hamburg. He later lectured in psychology, philosophy and comparative religion at Oxford, held a number of academic appointments and served as Vice-President of the Buddhist Society. His many books include Buddhist Texts Through the Ages (Oneworld, 1995).

Reviews

"A lucid and reliable introduction to Buddhism." Times Higher Educational Supplement