Book excerpt: Spanning three thousand years and five major cultures, the traditions of Eastern philosophy play a major role in any study of human thought today; to ignore the East is to miss the valuable insights of philosophers from the Persian, Indian, Chinese, Tibetan and Japanese traditions. In this book, every major stream of Eastern thought, whether idealistic or materialistic, is presented. The author reveals here the wisdom of the East, from Avicenna to Zoroaster, from Buddha to Gandhi. Entries cover not only the philosophers themselves but also the philosophical terms and concepts, the historical background, the doctrines, teachings and writings of the East. Whether we wish to consult the I Ching, to understand Zen koan, or to read from the Upanishads, this volume will be a valuable tool in our quest.