This work serves as a comprehensive reference guide designed to clarify the complex terminology, historical figures, and philosophical concepts inherent in Buddhist tradition. Author Christmas Humphreys, a prominent British jurist and founder of the Buddhist Society in London, utilizes his extensive background in comparative religion to synthesize Eastern and Western perspectives. The text functions as both a lexicon and a biographical index, providing a structured framework for students and practitioners to navigate the diverse schools of Buddhist thought.

Scholars and practitioners frequently cite this volume as a reliable, accessible entry point for those unfamiliar with the breadth of Buddhist literature. Experts note that while the text reflects the mid-twentieth-century academic approach to the subject, it remains a foundational resource for building a basic vocabulary of the tradition.