---
product_id: 1693423
title: "Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction"
price: "€ 56.58"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 12
url: https://www.desertcart.com.cy/products/1693423-buddhism-a-very-short-introduction
store_origin: CY
region: Cyprus
---

# Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction

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desertcart.com: Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction: 8601404328893: Keown, Damien: Books

Review: Useful Textbook for Introductory Courses - This is a very informative, concise, and balanced introductory book on Buddhism. I use it to teach undergraduate courses. It follows a roughly thematic order to present the Buddhism tradition (starting from the alleged founder, the Buddha, the basic worldview in which his teachings develop, the kernel of those teaching, and the practices informed by them) but also pays attention to how the tradition evolves in history. Major branches within the Buddhist tradition receive a balanced treatment. Pros: Important concepts are given clear definitions. There are maps, charts, diagrams alongside the texts, and a timeline at the end of the book that faciliate understanding. The book is sufficiently but not excessively illustrated. Pictures help students visualize what they read in the texts. It contains short excerpts from the original texts in English translation, which gives the student a taste of the tradition's own voice. Cons: There isn't really any shortcoming of this book as gateway reading material for first-timers. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that this is a book for one who wants information about world religions rather than for spiritual seekers. Spiritual seekers may benefit from it, but the main focus of the author is to present the contour of historical Buddhism accurately and its ideas in a systematic way. For a reader searching for spiritual inspiration or guidance in life, the enumeration of the technical terms in Buddhism might be distracting.
Review: Short and sweet - Part of a series by Oxford University Press, this book, 'Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction', follows the same format as other texts in the Very Short Introduction series -- it has fewer than 150 pages, is well indexed, has a useful glossary, accessible and enjoyable narrative, and captures the essence in a very short space the major points of its topic. There are probably nearing 100 volumes in this Very Short Introduction series (making it, ironically, not a Very Short series), but among those that I have read, this text stands out as being one of the best. Damien Keown, of the University of London and the Royal Asiatic Society, addresses Buddhism past and present, East and West. Beginning with narrative tales the help to exhibit the principles, Keown examines in turn the major questions. First, with regard to Buddhism, is this -- is Buddhism really a religion? Often categorised as such, it is often the exception proving the rule. Many take strong spiritual and philosophical ideas from Buddhism (sometimes without knowing it) but do not subscribe the larger system of practices -- but perhaps most telling, Buddhism is a non-theistic way of being. Keown looks at seven dimensions of religion, and concludes that Buddhism does fit a broader definition of religion. Keown proceeds from there to look at the origins of Buddhism, the life of the Buddha, ideas of karma and reincarnation, and the central ideas of the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism. From these beginnings, Buddhism branches out, the largest grouping being the Mahayana (who get their own chapter), and other spreading first across Asia and then to the rest of the world. Like other books in this Very Short series, there are useful maps, a nice snapshot timeline, and suggestions for further reading, should the Very Short introduction not prove sufficient (and for many, this sample will leave the reader wanting more). I cannot speak too highly of this series, and of this volume on Buddhism by Keown in particular.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN  | 0199663831 |
| Best Sellers Rank | #96,299 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #3 in Buddhism (Books) #11 in Buddhist History (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (605) |
| Dimensions  | 6.8 x 0.5 x 4.4 inches |
| Edition  | 2nd |
| ISBN-10  | 9780199663835 |
| ISBN-13  | 978-0199663835 |
| Item Weight  | 2.31 pounds |
| Language  | English |
| Print length  | 192 pages |
| Publication date  | April 6, 2013 |
| Publisher  | Oxford University Press |

## Images

![Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/710o27CXmAL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Useful Textbook for Introductory Courses
*by M***Z on July 31, 2022*

This is a very informative, concise, and balanced introductory book on Buddhism. I use it to teach undergraduate courses. It follows a roughly thematic order to present the Buddhism tradition (starting from the alleged founder, the Buddha, the basic worldview in which his teachings develop, the kernel of those teaching, and the practices informed by them) but also pays attention to how the tradition evolves in history. Major branches within the Buddhist tradition receive a balanced treatment. Pros: Important concepts are given clear definitions. There are maps, charts, diagrams alongside the texts, and a timeline at the end of the book that faciliate understanding. The book is sufficiently but not excessively illustrated. Pictures help students visualize what they read in the texts. It contains short excerpts from the original texts in English translation, which gives the student a taste of the tradition's own voice. Cons: There isn't really any shortcoming of this book as gateway reading material for first-timers. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that this is a book for one who wants information about world religions rather than for spiritual seekers. Spiritual seekers may benefit from it, but the main focus of the author is to present the contour of historical Buddhism accurately and its ideas in a systematic way. For a reader searching for spiritual inspiration or guidance in life, the enumeration of the technical terms in Buddhism might be distracting.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Short and sweet
*by F***K on December 12, 2003*

Part of a series by Oxford University Press, this book, 'Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction', follows the same format as other texts in the Very Short Introduction series -- it has fewer than 150 pages, is well indexed, has a useful glossary, accessible and enjoyable narrative, and captures the essence in a very short space the major points of its topic. There are probably nearing 100 volumes in this Very Short Introduction series (making it, ironically, not a Very Short series), but among those that I have read, this text stands out as being one of the best. Damien Keown, of the University of London and the Royal Asiatic Society, addresses Buddhism past and present, East and West. Beginning with narrative tales the help to exhibit the principles, Keown examines in turn the major questions. First, with regard to Buddhism, is this -- is Buddhism really a religion? Often categorised as such, it is often the exception proving the rule. Many take strong spiritual and philosophical ideas from Buddhism (sometimes without knowing it) but do not subscribe the larger system of practices -- but perhaps most telling, Buddhism is a non-theistic way of being. Keown looks at seven dimensions of religion, and concludes that Buddhism does fit a broader definition of religion. Keown proceeds from there to look at the origins of Buddhism, the life of the Buddha, ideas of karma and reincarnation, and the central ideas of the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism. From these beginnings, Buddhism branches out, the largest grouping being the Mahayana (who get their own chapter), and other spreading first across Asia and then to the rest of the world. Like other books in this Very Short series, there are useful maps, a nice snapshot timeline, and suggestions for further reading, should the Very Short introduction not prove sufficient (and for many, this sample will leave the reader wanting more). I cannot speak too highly of this series, and of this volume on Buddhism by Keown in particular.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Accessible
*by J***0 on November 5, 2017*

An easy book for college-educated laypersons. Seems to provide a survey of adequate breadth and a concrete foundation of concepts and terminology. Not completely objective, as one catches a glimpse of the author’s enthusiasm at times. I recommend it.

## Frequently Bought Together

- Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
- Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
- Judaism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

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*Last updated: 2026-03-18*