Now in paperback--the only desktop encyclopedia offering a complete survey of the teachers, traditions, and terminology of Eastern wisdom. With 4,000 entries, this volume covers Buddhism, Taoism, Zen and Hinduism, the four major religious traditions of Asia. 100 illustrations.
With more than four thousand entries and over one hundred illustrations, this encyclopedia offers a complete survey of the four major religious traditions of Asia. It is designed not only for students and scholars but also to help general readers find their way through the thicket of unfamiliar words and concepts that are often encountered today in various fields such as the health professions, psychotherapy, the sciences, and the media. Among the subjects covered are:

- Important terms such as chakra, karma, koan, nirvana, tantra, Tao, and yin-yang
- The lives and teachings of mystics, philosophers, and masters of meditation
- Basic texts and scriptures
- Sects and schools of thought
- Mythological figures and events

In addition, pronunciation tables, a comprehensive bibliography, and a Ch'an/Zen Lineage Chart are provided.