By the author of Understanding Islam this book aims to provide a guided excursion through the vast and varied landscape that is Buddhism. In interpreting the Buddhist message, the author refers to parallels in other religions - Christian, Islamic and Vedantic. At the same time he has related the Buddhist wisdom to contemporary situations and assumption, which he has examined critically in the light of that same wisdom. Thus, he presents Buddhism, not as an historical phenomenon or as a philosophical system, but as a living spiritual force.