Buddhism is centered on the belief that life is suffering. Some Westerners’ conceptions of Buddhism can be more influenced by new age yoga starlets than the Four Noble Truths. Writer and philosopher Stephen Asma intends to set the record straight in his latest book, Buddha for Beginners. It’s an illustrated primer to an old and complex world religion that explains its history and basic beliefs, and also dispels some myths.

Stephen Asma reads from Buddha for Beginners tonight at the Book Cellar in Chicago’s Lincoln Square.