John Snelling (1943–1992)

This is a wonderful book - a thorough treatment of the religious and historical aspects of Buddhism. Highly recommended.

Good overview of Buddhism!

A comprehensive map of Buddhist territory, offering an overview of the core teachings, main traditions, current organizations and important figures. Spelling does a good job of keeping his judgements in check (there's occasional lapses, which give us a glimpse of the personality behind the text). A fine piece of scholarship and navigation.

Newly revised and updated, The Buddhist Handbook is the definitive guide to the complete panorama of Buddhist teaching, practice, schools, and history. The fastest-growing religion in the West, Buddhism includes numerous traditions within its scope. The Buddhist Handbook provides a comprehensive and nonsectarian survey of these traditions and their contemporary exponents throughout the world, providing necessary information for those who wish to explore the various traditions thoroughly and show more find the one best-suited to their needs. For those already practicing in a particular school of Buddhism, it offers illuminating insight into the teachings of other schools, as well as a Who's Who of contemporary teachers, writers, and practitioners. show less