DK eyewitness guides: Buddhism (Hardcover)

Why do some Buddhists shave their heads? What is the diamond thunderbolt? What does “kamma” mean to Buddhists? What happens during a typical Buddhist funeral ceremony?

All these questions and more, are answered in Buddhism, an outstanding and original Eyewitness Guide.

Discover the fascinating history of this influential religion, and see how Buddhist teachings and practises have spread from India to Sri Lanka to China and beyond, and how they have impacted on the Western world. Explore the origins of the two main Buddhist traditions – Theravada and Mahayana - and find out the key differences between them.

See what part the Dalai Lama plays in Tibetan Buddhism, and why Buddhism has become so popular in the West today. Discover what Buddhists believe about the afterlife, and examine sumptuous examples of Buddhist-inspired art and architecture. From monasteries and temples to Buddhist devotions and rites, this book reveals the remarkable story of Buddhism.

Beautiful artefacts, manuscripts, and photographs combine to tell the story of Buddha and his followers, and their influence around the world – providing a revealing “eyewitness” account of Buddhism.

• See Buddha statues from many different countries • Golden temples and shrines • Tibetan wall hangings • A sand mandala being made • The Dalai Lama’s palace
• Learn about many different strands of Buddhism • Who Siddhata Gotama was • What “nibbana” means to Buddhists •What the Wheel of Life is • What the lotus flower symbolizes
• Discover What the Four Noble Truths are • What happens during the Hana Matsuri festival • How Tibetan prayer wheels are used • What life is really like for Buddhist monks.

Eyewitness: Buddhism is one of the latest titles in this classic series that combines visual brilliance with informative text to provide everything a child needs for projects, reference or just plain old discovery.