With more than four thousand entries and over one hundred illustrations, this encyclopedia offers a complete survey of the four major religious traditions of Asia. It is designed not only for students and scholars but also to help general readers find their way through the thicket of unfamiliar words and concepts that are often encountered today in various fields such as the health professions, psychotherapy, the sciences, and the media. Among the subjects covered are: nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;*nbsp; Important terms such as chakra, karma, koan, nirvana, tantra, Tao, and yin-yang nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;*nbsp; The lives and teachings of mystics, philosophers, and masters of meditation nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;*nbsp; Basic texts and scriptures nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;*nbsp; Sects and schools of thought nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;*nbsp; Mythological figures and events In addition, pronunciation tables, a comprehensive bibliography, and a Ch'an/Zen Lineage Chart are provided.