Encyclopedias and dictionaries are great sources of quick information. In addition, they will often list the more important works on the topic--the first works to consult if you want to know more. When the authors of an entry are identified, you can learn their academic credentials.
In addition to containing entries on Buddhist scriptures, art, architecture, saints, demons, monastic orders, festivals, rites and ceremonies, this two-volume set explores the history of Buddhism, the different forms it has taken in different parts of the world, and how Buddhism has blended with other religions. Authors of articles are identified.
This dictionary features broad-ranging entries on the history and doctrines of the major Buddhist schools, information on the spread of Buddhism in Asia and the West, and coverage of issues of contemporary concern such as human rights, abortion, euthanasia, ‘engaged Buddhism’, and the role of women in Buddhist teachings.