This is an extrememly good book by an expert in the field of Buddhist studies. It is the third in the extensive Very Short Introduction series of books by Oxford University Press which give well informed insight into complex fields of study. Despite the compact size of the book it is packed with information and I came away feeling I had a grasp of what Buddhism is and that I was able to access to further information if I wanted it.
Keown opens the book with a set of useful maps showing where the Buddha lived and taught and where the different types of Buddhism are now found, followed by a note on pronounciation.
He follows this with 9 chapters, the first a valuable discussion on whether or not Buddhism can be classified as a religion. Next come chapters on the life of the Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, details of the essential Buddhist concepts such as karma, reincarnation and the written exhorations known as the Four Noble Truths.
In the latter chapters Keown follows the spread of Buddhism out of India and speaks about the place of mediation and ethics in Buddhism. In the final chapter he discusses how Buddhism has had an impact in the West in the present day and its relationship to new findings in science.
Finally there is a timeline, further reading and index. The further reading is particularly useful, Keown structures it by subject so, for instance, you know which book to read if you wanted to know more about Buddhism and neuroscience.
The only problem now is that I want to read all the 'Very Short Introduction' books and there are currently 344 of them!
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