1. Understanding World Religions
Chapter Twelve
Buddhist Belief and Practice © 2011 Irving Hexham
The Likir Buddha – source the Harappa Bazaar. Used with permission. © 2011 Irving Hexham

2. Buddhist Belief and Practice
E. J. Rapson, Ancient India, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, In the public domain. © 2011 Irving Hexham
The inscription of Ashoka on the Girnar Rock in India is one of the most important Buddhist historical sites.

3. Buddhist Belief and Practice
E. G. Kemp, The Face of China, London, Chatto & Windus, In the public domain. © 2011 Irving Hexham
From India Buddhism quickly spread throughout Asia. The above print shows a Buddhist monastery in China.

4. Buddhist Belief and Practice
Source photo by Irving Hexham. © 2011 Irving Hexham
A Buddhist community in Toronto, Canada, with a huge picture of the Ddalai Lama on the side wall.

5. Buddhist Belief and Practice
Source: E. G. Kemp, The Face of China, London, Chatto & Windus, In the public domain. © 2011 Irving Hexham
A Chinese pagoda, or shrine containing relics.

6. Buddhist Belief and Practice
Source: Photo by Jeremy Hexham © 2011 Irving Hexham
As Buddhism spread it took on many forms and adapted to local conditions. The above photo of a Buddhist alter shows many different artistic styles.

7. Buddhist Belief and Practice
Source: Photo by Irving Hexham © 2011 Irving Hexham
Today Buddhism is well established in North America. The above photo shows a Buddhist teacher explaining their ritual practices to a group of visiting academics.

8. Buddhist Belief and Practice
Source: Photo by Irving Hexham © 2011 Irving Hexham
As Buddhism takes root in North America it is often based in specific immigrant communities and takes on aspects of local religious practices. Here a Buddhist priest delivers a lecture to a Sunday morning cogregation.

9. Buddhist Belief and Practice
Source: Photo by Irving Hexham © 2011 Irving Hexham
Most people are aware of the growth of “Christian schools” over the past thirty-five years. Few realize that a similar movement exists among North American Buddhists. The above photo shows a local Buddhist school.

10. Buddhist Belief and Practice
Photo by Irving Hexham in Berlin © 2011 Irving Hexham
The above photo of a shop window in a major European city demonstrates the popular appeal of Buddhism today.