First Encounter
The Beginnings of Buddhism: The Life of the Buddha
The Basic Teachings of Buddhism
      The Three Marks of Reality
      The Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path
The Influence of Indian Thought on Early Buddhist Teachings
      Ahimsa: "Do No Harm"
      The Soul and Karma
      Nirvana
The Early Development of Buddhism
Theravada Buddhism: The Way of the Elders
      Theravada Teachings and Literature
      Theravada Art and Architecture
Mahayana Buddhism: The "Big Vehicle"
      New Ideals: Compassion and the Bodhisattva
      Mahayana Thought and Worldview
            The Three-Body Doctrine
            Heavenly Bodhisattvas
            Shunyata
            Tathata
      Mahayana Literature
      The Spread of Mahayana in East Asia
      Some Major Schools of Mahayana
      Zen
      Buddhism and Japanese Arts
Vajrayana Buddhism: The "Diamond Vehicle"
      Origins, Practice, and Literature of Tibetan Buddhism
      Ritual and the Arts
Personal Experience: The Monks and the Pond
Buddhism and the Modern World
Religion Beyond the Classroom
For Fuller Understanding
Resources
Key Terms