Beginning with a brief introduction to the basic philosophy of Buddhism and how to read the Buddha image, this text goes on to illuminate the Buddha's past, the fascinating events of his life, a summary of his teachings, the Cosmic Buddhas, paradise, the afterlife and the future. Reflecting the varied and vibrant visual world of Buddhism, each spread is illustrated with an image from the British Museum's extensive collections or a serene atmospheric photograph taken at one of the many Buddhist sites around the world.