Edward Conze was one of the great Buddhist translators - a pioneer scholar who introduced key Buddhist texts to the Western world. This timely new edition of his Buddhist classic reminds us that true happiness is not to be found in material comfort and earthly satisfaction but in the pursuit of a higher ideal. Demonstrating throughout his heartfelt response to the fundamental wisdom of the Buddha, Conze presents a readable introduction to the array of doctrines, methods, and literature thathave developed in the many schools of Buddhism as a result of their different approaches to the goal.