BUDDHISM

Although no program as brief as this can do justice to a topic as complex as Buddhism, this one serves as an excellent overview of the history and development of the religion from its origins in the sixth century B.C. to its current position as one of the world's major religions. The script gives Ben Kingsley a chance to show the stuff that won him an Oscar as Gandhi. Not only does he read with skill and conviction, he also performs with accents some of the major players in the history of Buddhism. A first-rate performance. P.B.J. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 97]