6 Introduction
In sum, what distinguishes the present volume is that it con-
tains rather more sustained expositions of Buddhist cosmology,
no self and dependent arising, the path of meditation, and the
theoretical Abhidharma framework (which underlies all later
Buddhist thought) than other introductory books. Thus there
is material here which, although basic from a Buddhist point of
view, is only available in specialized books and articles. I hope,
then, that while the book is intended to be accessible to the nov-
ice, there may also be something here for the elders of Buddhist
studies.