The Foundations of Buddhism

Rating:
Summary: Buddhism as it really was
Review: This book describes Buddhism, not as many Westerners assume it to be, but as it really was prior to the modern era.Most of us learn about Buddhism through Westernized versions which conceal those aspects not in accord with our own cultures dominant beliefs. Buddhists did believe in gods, thought it was not obligatory. The idea of an atheistic Buddhism is a Western construction. Much of what is written about Buddhism in English is designed to appeal to the lazy and so leaves out the philosohical parts which are extremely challenging but well worth the effort to understand.
This is not exactly an introduction because it includes the difficult parts but it is a way to learn actual Buddhism, not the pop forms introduced by Watts, Suzuki, Trungpa and many others. If you want to really know what Buddhism is about, read this book.The secton on Abhidharma, the central philosophy of Buddhism, is the best I have read.

Rating:
Summary: A must-read for any student of Buddhism
Review: While it is in every way a superb introductory book for someone who wishes to commence a scholarly study of Buddhism, the very bibliography is more than worth its price. Despite its claimed status as an introductory book, it is clearly meant for a serious student of Buddhism. I particlularly liked the section dealing with the issue of "anatta", a difficult but a central theme in Buddhism. Without going into great detail, Rupert brings out its nuances extremely well.