Buddhist art originated on the Indian subcontinent following the historical life of Siddhartha Gautama, 6th to 5th century BC, and thereafter evolved by contact with other cultures as it spread throughout Asia and the world. Buddhist art followed believers as the dharma spread, adapted, and evolved in each new host country. It developed to the north through central Asia and into eastern Asia to form the northern branch of Buddhist are and to the east as for as southeast Asia to form the southern branch of Buddhist art. In India, Buddhist art flourished and even influenced the development of Hindu art, until Buddhism nearly disappeared in India around the 10th century due in part to the vigorous expansion of Islam alongside Hinduism.

Content - Preface, 1. Introduction to Buddhism, 2. The Beginnings of Buddhist Art, 3. Buddhist Art and Architecture, 4. The Symbolic Center of the Theravada Buddhist World, 5. Symbolism of the Paradise of the Buddha of Infinite Life, 6. Narration: The Essence of Buddhist Art, 7. Women in Early Buddhist Literature, 8. The Contemporary Relevance of Buddhist Philosophy, 9. Indian Literature Through the Ages Ancient Indian Literature, 10. Buddhism and Its Spread Along the Silk Road, 11. Economic Conditions According to Early Buddhist Literature, 12. Buddhism's Struggle with the Mind in the World, 13. Buddhist Studies and its Impact on Buddhism in Western Societies, Bibliography, Index