Beginning with the extraordinary legend of Siddhartha Gautama, Maurice Percheron chronicles, in time and across a continent, the evolution of this great religion in all its aspects: The monastic and the secular: the doctrine of non-violence, and such basic concepts as transmigration, karma and samsara.

Arguing that Buddhism was neither a heretical new religion, nor a reformulation of its immediate predecessor, Brahmanism, the author demonstrates how the early Buddhism, of the 6th century B.C. India developed with the inevitability which characterizes karma itself. Accordingly, Percheron examines the prevailing spiritual trends of pre-Buddhist India in which the rise of Buddhism was forecast.

Including a chapter on Buddhist art and iconography, a glossary of terms and a chronological table, BUDDHA AND BUDDHISM provides a lucid and concise overview of an ancient, but still vital Oriental philosophy whose influence continues to be felt throughout the world. BUDDHA AND BUDDHISM is the second volume in The Overlook Spiritual Masters Series.