Introduction to Buddhism

Eugene Alekseevich Torchinov — an outstanding sinologist-religion scholar, Buddhist scholar, translator, historian of philosophy and culture of China. Candidate of historical sciences and Doctor of philosophical sciences. For many years, Eugene Alekseevich studied Buddhism and Taoism, as well as analyzing various ancient religions, modern world religions, religious movements and sects, which led him to formulate the phenomenon of "religious experience".

The book "Introduction to Buddhism" is the most popular work of Eugene Alekseevich, based on a course of lectures he delivered from 1994 to 1999 at the Faculty of Philosophy of St. Petersburg State University. It provides a detailed account of the history of the emergence and development of Buddhism, outlines the basics of this teaching, presents the main schools and directions, and examines the Buddhist traditions of Tibet, China, the Far East, and Russia. This edition also includes an appendix featuring translations of key Buddhist texts by the author, along with notes.