The Buddhist capacity for metamorphosis must astound those who analyse the end-products separated by long intervals of time, writes Dr. Edward Conze, as different as chrysalis and butterfly. In fact they are connected by many gradations, which lead from one to the other and which only close study can detect. In A Short History of Buddhism Dr. Conze succeeds in providing that most difficult of all undertakings in Buddhist literature, a compact summary of the historical development of Buddhism from the time of the Buddha to the present day. He divides Buddhist history into four great epochs: old Buddhism, which largely coincides with what later came to be known as the Hinayana; the rise of the Mahayana; Tantra, and Ch’an (Zen); and the fourth period of conservation which brings us to the problems facing Buddhism today. This book is a ‘must’ for all students of Buddhism, not only in India but Nepal, Ceylon, Greater and Central Asia, China, South East Asia, Korea, Japan, Tibet and Mongolia. All aspects of Buddhist history are presented here by Dr. Conze with great skill, sympathy and insight. THOMA Opp: D225 PLO few THOMAS 22 Ssddar,