How and when did the many schools and subsects of Buddhism emerge? How does the historical figure of Siddhartha Gautama relate to the magical ritual of the Tantra or to the ardent devotion of the Pure Land schools? Did Buddhism modify the cultures to which it was introduced, or did they modify Buddhism? A Concise History of Buddhism explores the origins of this twenty-five-centuries-old religion and traces the major developments in Buddhism through the nineteenth century, focusing on the roots of present-day forms of the religion. Andrew Skilton describes and correlates the diverse manifestations of Buddhism -- in its homeland of India and in its spread across Asia, from Mongolia to Sri Lanka and from Japan to the Middle East. Drawing on the latest historical and literary research, the book explains the basic concepts of Buddhism, their development and their historical framework. Complete with a detailed index and comprehensive bibliography, A Concise History of Buddhism is a rich history of the Buddhist tradition.