This book is a comprehensive introduction to the Buddhist tradition as it has developed in three major cultural areas in Asia, and to Buddhism as it is now developing in the West. It is intended to be a textbook for students of religious and Asian studies respectively, but will also be of interest to those who want a general survey of Buddhism and its beliefs. Unlike many other general books about Buddhism, it not only explores Buddhist beliefs, but also seeks to show how Buddhism functions as a set of practices. It thus includes chapters on devotion, ethics, monastic practices and meditation. Such practices are related to Buddhist teachings and historical developments. Emphasising as it does the diversity found within different Buddhist traditions, the book aims throughout to underline common threads of belief, practice and historical continuities which unify the Buddhist world. Dr Harvey has sought to answer questions that are often asked by people on first meeting the tradition, and in his section on Nirvana offers a novel interpretation of this ultimate, transcendent mystery.

Introduction to Buddhism, Peter Harvey, Cambridge University Press, Paperback, 1990 / 2004, 374 Pages, $23.99

Peter Harvey received his Ph.D under the supervision of Ninian Smart at Lancaster University. Harvey is the author of An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices published by Cambridge University Press, whose 1st edition sold over 55,000 copies.[2] He has also authored a book on anatta, The Selfless Mind: Personality, Consciousness and Nirvana in Early Buddhism,[3][4] and An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics: Foundations, Values and Practices published by the Cambridge University Press. His papers on Theravada Buddhism have appeared in many peer-reviewed journals, but his contributions to the broader Buddhist studies include an anthology of Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana texts that is being distributed by Mahachulalongkorn Rajavidyalaya University in Thailand.[5][6] He co-founded UK Association for Buddhist Studies with professor Ian Harris, and has been an editor of the journal Buddhist Studies Review.[5] Harvey was Professor of Buddhist Studies at the University of Sunderland prior to his retirement