Campbell introduces stories of Buddha's life and enlightenment to reflect the essence of the Buddhist religion. The different sects of Buddhism are contrasted in their conception of transcendence. Campbell compares Buddhism with Taoism and Confucius and also discusses Buddhism's impact on the ancient West. Campbell probes how mysticism and identification with the ultimate reality characterize the Buddhist way to enlightenment. The two principal types Buddhism, commonly call Theravada (or Hinayana) and Mahayana, inspired new intellectual and religious developments in the East and the West.