What Buddhists Believe

A book by K.Sri Dhammananda, a very good "Buddhism 101" type book.

Says the author: "This book is written with a specific aim in mind: to introduce the original teaching clearly and without recourse to exaggeration, cultural implications or disparaging of particular schools of Buddhism, so that the reader can understand the Buddha Dhamma its modern context. There is a growing interest in Buddhism the world over because many informed people have grown rather weary of religious dogmatism and superstition, on one hand, and greed and selfishness arising from materialism, on the other. Buddhism can teach humanity to walk the Middle Path of moderation and have a better understanding on how to lead a richer life of peace and happiness."

Here is the table of contents:

• Foreword
• Author's Note
• PART ONE: LIFE AND MESSAGE OF THE BUDDHA
  • Chapter 1 Life and Nature of the Buddha
    • Gautama, the Buddha
    • His Renunciation
    • Nature of the Buddha
    • Was Buddha an Incarnation of God?
    • The Buddha's Service
    • Historical Evidence of the Buddha
    • Salvation Through Arahantahood
    • Bodhisatta
    • Attainment of Buddhahood
    • Trikaya The Three Bodies of the Buddha
  • Chapter 2 His Message
    • Message for All
    • Miraculous Power
    • The Buddha's Silence
    • The Buddha's Attitude Towards Worldly Knowledge
    • The Last Message of the Buddha
  • Chapter 3 After the Buddha
    • Does the Buddha Exist After His Death?
    • A Successor to the Buddha
    • The Future Buddha
• PART TWO: BUDDHISM: ESSENCE AND COMPARATIVE APPROACH
  • Chapter 4 Timeless Truth of the Buddha
    • The Lion's Roar
    • What is Buddhism?
    • The Ultimate Truth
    • Two Main Schools of Buddhism
  • Chapter 5 Basic Doctrines
    • Tri-Pitaka(or Tipitaka)
    • What is Abhidhamma?
    • Mind and Matter(Nama-Rupa)
    • Four Noble Truths
    • The Noble Eightfold Path: The Middle Way
    • Everything is changeable
    • What is Kamma
    • Rebirth
    • Nibbana
    • Law of Dependent Origination
    • Eternalism and Nihilism
    • Can the First Cause be Known
    • Is There an Eternal Soul?
  • Chapter 6 Buddhism Vis-A-Vis Other Approaches
    • Is Buddhism Similar to Other Contemporary Teachings in India?
    • Is Buddhism a Theory or a Philosophy?
    • Is Buddhism Pessimistic?
    • Is Buddhism Atheistic?
• PART THREE: LEADING A BUDDHIST LIFE
  • Chapter 7 Moral Foundation For Mankind
    • What is the Purpose of Life?
    • Buddhism for Man in Society
    • The Buddhist Way of Life for Householders
  • Chapter 8 Buddhist Morality and Practice
    • Buddhist Ethics
    • What is Vinaya?
    • Ten Meritorious and Ten Evil Actions
    • Precepts
    • Loving-Kindness
    • Real Charity
    • The Buddhist Attitude to Animal Life
    • The Need for Tolerance Today
    • Buddhist Funeral Rites
  • Chapter 9 Dhamma and Ourselves as Refuge
    • Why We take Refuge in the Buddha
    • No Self Surrender
    • No Sinners
    • Do It Yourself
    • Man is Responsible for Everything
    • Man is His Own Jailor
    • You Protect Yourself
    • How to Save Yourself
  • Chapter 10 Prayer, Meditation and Religious Practices
    • Faith, Confidence and Devotion
    • The Meaning of Prayer
    • Meditation
    • The Significance of Paritta Chanting
    • Are Buddhists Idol Worshippers?
    • Religious Significance of Fasting
    • Vegetarianism
    • The Moon and Religious Observances
• PART FOUR: HUMAN LIFE IN SOCIETY
  • Chapter 11 Life and Culture
    • Traditions, Customs and Festivals
    • Buddhism and Women
    • Buddhism and Politics
  • Chapter 12 Marriage, Birth Control and Death
    • Buddhist Views on Marriage
    • Why Does the World Population Increase?
• PART FIVE: A RELIGION FOR REAL HUMAN PROGRESS
  • Chapter 13 Nature, Value and Choice of Religious Beliefs
    • Man and Religion
    • Which is the Proper Religion?
    • Moral and Spiritual Development
    • The God Idea
    • Changing of Religious Label Before Death
    • Short-cut to Paradise
  • Chapter 14 Promoter of True Human Culture
    • Modern Religion
    • Religion in a Scientific Age
    • Religion of Freedom
    • Buddhist Missionaries
  • Chapter 15 War and Peace
    • Why is There No Peace?
    • Can We Justify War?
    • Can a Buddhist Join the Army?
    • Mercy Killing
• PART SIX: THIS WORLD AND OTHER WORLDS
  • Chapter 16 Realms of Existence
    • The Origin of the World
    • Other World Systems
    • The Buddhist Concept of Heaven and Hell
    • Belief in Deities(Devas)
    • Spirit World
    • The Significance of Transference of Merits to the Departed
  • Chapter 17 Divination and Dreams
    • Astrology and Astronomy
    • Fortune-Telling and Charms
    • Consulting Mediums
    • Dreams and Their Significance
    • Faith Healing
    • Superstitions and Dogmas

The book is available on line at http://www.sinc.sunysb.edu/Clubs/buddhism/dhammananda/main.htm