Buddhism

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View books by Damien Keown.

One of the best in the OUP series - Rated
This book is both factual and easy to read. It does not claim to deal with every aspect of Buddhism, which is a complex and fragmented belief system. What I particularly liked was Keown's references to this incompleteness within the text, and his suggestions for further readings and clear labelling of the things he has either left out or skimmed over.
This is an incredibly useful book. The breakdown of information in text boxes and clearly divided chapters with useful sub-headings made it even easier to read.
It is useful in that it gives both a history of Buddhism and its influence across the world as well as the central tenets of the beliefs it encompasses. It also tries to understand the impact of Buddhism on modern Western culture, positing ideas of what developments may come to pass in the future.
It also deals with the problem of whether Buddhism actually constitutes a religion at all, and attempts to define and understand what is meant by religion and how Buddhism works within this.
A necessary read for anyone interested in understanding Buddhism at a basic level.

Excellent Introduction - Rated
I have read a number of books on buddhism in an attempt to learn more about this interesting subject. I have found that many although starting well get more and more complicated the more you read and eventually end up confusing me more than explaining. THIS BOOK IS DIFFERENT it is clear, precise and explains the fundamentals of Buddhism in a way that is easy to understand to someone who is new to the subject. Not only did i understand all that was written here but also after reading this i then understood the other books i had read. If you are new to the subject of Buddhism read this book first, look no further, start here and at will truly enlighten you.

A good intro - Rated
This book, although short, has all the key concepts and ideas a beginner would wish to explore with regards to Buddhism. Most questions are answered and the various schools are explained and touched upon. It is clear to read and understand and a good place to start if you wish to learn more about this wonderful path.

Depends what you want from a book on Buddhism - Rated
This book is exactly what the title advertises: a VERY SHORT introduction. Buddhism is a complex system of beliefs. This book purports to report on those aspects of it most refered to by an intrigued western audience, and it accomplishes it in some style. Despite the author's challenge of condensing that which is most important to a tradition spanning two and a half thousand years into a mere 125 pages, Damian Keown deals with the issue admirably. He invokes Ninian Smart's definition that religions have seven discernable dimensions (a valid assumption for the purposes of this book, anyway) and these are:
- Practice & Ritual
- Experiential & emotional
- Narrative & Mythic
- Doctorinal & philosophical
- Ethical and Legal
- Social and institutional
- Material

Besides this, the history of Buddhism is explored in some acceptable format, without being overwhelming, I might add. Also various denominations are discussed. This is really as comprehensive an account of such a diverse field as one could possible hope to squeeze into so few small pages and the author ought to be commended for his efforts.
On a practical note, the book's low price is really an advantage. I know not of any other book from which one could learn as much about the outlines of Buddhism as this one, especially without paying much more in monetary terms. I highly recommend it.

Short and sweet - Rated
Part of a series by Oxford University Press, this book, 'Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction', follows the same format as other texts in the Very Short Introduction series -- it has fewer than 150 pages, is well indexed, has a useful glossary, accessible and enjoyable narrative, and captures the essence in a very short space the major points of its topic. There are probably nearing 100 volumes in this Very Short Introduction series (making it, ironically, not a Very Short series), but among those that I have read, this text stands out as being one of the best.

Damien Keown, of the University of London and the Royal Asiatic Society, addresses Buddhism past and present, East and West. Beginning with narrative tales the help to exhibit the principles, Keown examines in turn the major questions. First, with regard to Buddhism, is this -- is Buddhism really a religion? Often categorised as such, it is often the exception proving the rule. Many take strong spiritual and philosophical ideas from Buddhism (sometimes without knowing it) but do not subscribe the larger system of practices -- but perhaps most telling, Buddhism is a non-theistic way of being. Keown looks at seven dimensions of religion, and concludes that Buddhism does fit a broader definition of religion.

Keown proceeds from there to look at the origins of Buddhism, the life of the Buddha, ideas of karma and reincarnation, and the central ideas of the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism. From these beginnings, Buddhism branches out, the largest grouping being the Mahayana (who get their own chapter), and other spreading first across Asia and then to the rest of the world.

Like other books in this Very Short series, there are useful maps, a nice snapshot timeline, and suggestions for further reading, should the Very Short introduction not prove sufficient (and for many, this sample will leave the reader wanting more). I cannot speak too highly of this series, and of this volume on Buddhism by Keown in particular.