Buddhism is often the religion that teachers have the least confidence in teaching despite being the sixth largest religion in the UK and being commonly regarded as one of the six major religions to be taught in schools throughout the country. This book explores the beliefs and practices of Buddhism as a lived religion in the UK. This book engages with Buddhist beliefs and practices and provides students and teachers with the confidence to address misconceptions and recognise the importance of beliefs in the lives of believers, in a way that will enable readers to go forward with confidence. Aspects of Buddhism explored include the concepts that form the central beliefs of Buddhism, and then the expression of these beliefs in worship, daily life, and the ethics of Buddhists in the modern day. Each chapter includes authentic voices of believers today and provides opportunities for the reader to consider the concepts and how they can be respected and taught and in the classroom.

The book forms part of the Teaching Religions and Worldviews series of guides, each one designed to build teachers' confidence and expertise in teaching a different religion or worldview in the classroom..

This book is an extremely helpful guide in presenting Buddhism in the classroom, as well as to a general audience, for a better understanding of how Buddhism offers answers to life’s big questions, and how Buddhism in its manifold forms continues to influence the lives of many all over the world today. -- Ruben L.F. Habito, Professor of World Religions and Spirituality, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, USA

James D. Holt is Associate Professor of Religious Education at the University of Chester, UK.