While Buddhism has no central text comparable to the Bible or Koran,
there is a powerful body of scripture from across Asia that encompasses
the dharma, or the teachings of the Buddha. In this rich anthology,
eminent scholar Donald S. Lopez, Jr. brings together works from a broad
historical and geographical range, and from such languages as Pali,
Sanskrit, Tibetan, Chinese, and Japanese. There are tales of the
Buddha's past lives, a discussion of qualities and qualifications for a
monk, and an exploration of the many meanings of enlightenment. Together
they provide a vivid picture of the Buddha and of the vast and profound
nature of the Buddhist tradition.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of
classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700
titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works
throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the
series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and
notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as
up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.