One of the world's great religious traditions, Buddhism has become an increasingly potent spiritual force in the West, having attracted thousands of followers. This concise introduction provides an accessible and lavishly illustrated account of 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.