"This clearly written text explores the breadth of Buddhist philosophy and its historical unfolding. It considers the basic teachings of the Buddha, and the value of meditation for improving and shaping one's life. This Second Edition includes new chapters on Buddhist ethics and meditative practices for living a flourishing life"--

Stephen J. Laumakis is Professor of Philosophy at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. His publications include A Companion to Buddhist Philosophy (2013), and Philosophy's Big Questions: Comparing Buddhist and Western Approaches (2021).

Part I. A Sketch of the Buddha and the Dhamma: 1. The life of Siddhattha Gotama; 2. The contexts for the emergence of Buddhism; 3. The basic teachings of the Buddha; 4. One Buddhism or many Buddhisms?; Part II. Details of the Dhamma; 5. Kamma, Samsara, and rebirth; 6. Interdependent arising; 7. Impermanence, no-enduring-self, and emptiness; 8. Moksa and Nibbana; Part III. Development of the Dhamma/Dharma: 9. Bodhidharma's and Huineng's Buddhisms; 10. Pure Land Buddhism ; 11. Tibetan Buddhism; 12. Two forms of contemporary Buddhism; Part IV. Applications and Assessment of the Dhamma/Dharma: 13. Applied Buddhist Ethics or Engaged Buddhism; 14. Buddhist Epistemology and Buddhist Meditation.