Keown Damien. Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction

2nd edition. — Oxford University Press, 2013. — 184 p. — ISBN10: 9780199663835; ISBN13: 978-0199663835.This Very Short Introduction offers readers a superb overview of the teachings of the Buddha, as well as a succinct guide to the integration of Buddhism into daily life. What are the distinctive features of Buddhism? Who was the Buddha, and what are his teachings? Words such as "karma" and "nirvana" have entered our vocabulary, but what do they mean? Damien Keown provides a lively, informative response to these frequently asked questions about Buddhism. As he sheds light into how Buddhist thought developed over the centuries, Keown also highlights how contemporary dilemmas can be faced from a Buddhist perspective.In the second edition Keown provides new perspectives on Buddhist thought, including up-to-date material about the evolution of Buddhism throughout Asia, the material culture of Buddhism and its importance, new teachings on the ethics of war and peace, and changes to ethnicity, class, and gender.About the AuthorDamien Keown is Reader in Buddhism at Goldsmiths College, University of London. His books on Buddhism include Dictionary of Buddhism and Buddhist Ethics: A Very Short Introduction. He is also Editor of The Journal of Buddhist Ethics and Co-Editor of The Curzon Critical Studies in Buddhism series.