{"product_id":"buddhism-9780195219074","title":"Buddhism","description":"\u003cp\u003eFounded on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path  the faith taught by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha  or Awakened One) spread rapidly across Asia and then across the globe  becoming one of the worlds largest and most influential religions. Buddhism combines lavish colorful photography and an authoritative text to provide a sweeping survey of this rich and varied religious tradition. Eckel begins with an engaging portrait of the Buddha (who predated Jesus by 500 years)  an Indian princes son who embarked on an epic journey of enlightenment and discovered a way of overcoming suffering. The authors trace the flowering of Buddhist schools in his wake  from the major groups (Mahayana  Theravada  Tantric) to the minor (such as the Pure Land sect in Japan). With helpful sidebars  boxed features  and numerous illustrations  they explain Tantric Mandalas (sacred circles)  the Sutras (holy writings)  the sacred landscape  celestial beings in some Buddhist mythology  the path to Nirvana  and much more. They also discuss Buddhist temples  forms of worship and meditation  the cycle of rebirth  and roles and relationships in the Buddhist community (including Theravada  Buddhisms stress on the importance of becoming a monk for at least part of life). A helpful map reveals the course of Buddhisms expansion throughout Asia. As a belief system  as an influential way of seeing the world  as a unifying thread of Asian cultures  Buddhism remains vitally important. This lucid  eye-pleasing introduction explains and celebrates this major world religion  bringing to life the full variety of Buddhist tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45276002844725,"sku":"ByrdShop_0195219074","price":66.75,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780195219074.jpg?v=1780520772","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/buddhism-9780195219074","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}