An introduction to Buddhism and Christianity through visual images, making accessible the world's most significant religious art by iconographic comparison.

This is the first book to bring together visual images of Buddha and Christ in the same volume. Drawing on over twenty years of college teaching in religious studies and several research expeditions in Europe and Asia, the author deals with much of the common ground between these two religions, as well as the distinctiveness of each, from an unusual and fascinating perspective. Almost 140 illustrations, two-thirds of them in colour, taken from sources as diverse as ancient manuscript, masterpieces of art, coins, film, advertisements, and childrenís drawings, are accompanied by a commentary of 55,000 words together with explanatory notes. The text ranges from biographical sketches of Gautama and Jesus to description of the way in which visual images embody the history, myth, and doctrine of the Buddhist and Christian faiths. The work has a threefold purpose: to provide a unique introduction to Buddhism and Christianity through visual images; to contribute to the growing Buddhist-Christian dialogue; and to make some of the worldís most significant art more accessible through an explanation of its patterns, symbols, and styles. It will be invaluable not only to art-lovers and students of comparative religion, but also to those wishing to gain a greater understanding of a culture which dominates much of the world that we share and seems very distinct from our own but which, as we are becoming ever more aware, has many points of contact with it.