The first three-quarters of the book is an extraordinarily clear, sense-making presentation of the heart of the teaching of Buddha. Although the reader is not burdened with a great deal of history, discussion of sources, and the like, a suffi cient amount is brought in when pertinent in such a deft, self-confident, and per-suasive manner that the reader is assured that a master scholarly hand is at work.

In the latter section of the book, which is explicitly comparative of Buddhism and the Judeo-Christian tradition, the author focuses on the obvious difference between the two: the Judeo-Christian belief in God and Buddha's non-reference to God. Clearly the two positions are not identical; but under the analysis of Fernando the inner affinity is startlingly brought to the surface.

This book is to be recommended to anyone who is not a complete expert on Buddhism-and probably to them as well. Perhaps even more important, the book will serve as a superb introductory text in college, or even senior high school.