A wonderful portrayal of the Buddhist faith as it traces its development from the origins in ancient India to modern day. One of the world's great religious traditions, Buddhism is an increasingly potent spiritual force in the West, having attracted thousands of followers. This concise volume provides an accessible and lavishly illustrated introduction to the key themes of the Buddhist faith - the life of the Buddha, spiritual and ethical teachings, ritual and ceremony, art and architecture, sacred writings, karma, meditation and enlightenment, death and the afterlife. It traces the course of Buddhism, from its origins in ancient India to its place in Western society today, providing a unique distillation of this richly varied tradition - a marvellous introduction for all those who wish to move one step closer to the spirit of the Buddha.