Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Books on Buddhism may overflow the shelves, but the life story of the Buddha himself has remained obscure despite over 2,500 years of influence on millions of people around the world. In an attempt to rectify this, and to make the Buddha and Buddhism accessible to Westerners, the beloved scholar and author of such sweeping religious studies as A History of God has written a readable, sophisticated, and somewhat unconventional biography of one of the most influential people of all time. Buddha himself fought against the cult of personality, and the Buddhist scriptures were faithful, giving few details of his life and personality. Karen Armstrong mines these early scriptures, as well as later biographies, then fleshes the story out with an explanation of the cultural landscape of the 6th century B.C., creating a deft blend of biography, history, philosophy, and mythology.

At the age of 29, Siddhartha Gautama walked away from the insulated pleasure palace that had been his home and joined a growing force of wandering monks searching for spiritual enlightenment during an age of upheaval. Armstrong traces Gautama's journey through yoga and asceticism and grounds it in the varied religious teachings of the time. In many parts of the world during this so-called axial age, new religions were developing as a response to growing urbanization and market forces. Yet each shared a common impulse--they placed faith increasingly on the individual who was to seek inner depth rather than magical control. Taoism and Confucianism, Hinduism, monotheism in the Middle East and Iran, and Greek rationalism were all emerging as Gautama made his determined way towards enlightenment under the boddhi tree and during the next 45 years that he spent teaching along the banks of the Ganges. Armstrong, in her intelligent and clarifying style, is quick to point out the Buddha's relevance to our own time of transition, struggle, and spiritual void in both his approach--which was based on skepticism and empiricism--and his teachings.

Despite the lack of typical historical documentation, Armstrong has written a rich and revealing description of both a unique time in history and an unusual man. Buddha is a terrific primer for those interested in the origins and fundamentals of Buddhism. --Lesley Reed ... Read more

Reviews (53)

Illusion and Reality of the Buddha
Karen Armstrong's "Buddha" is not only a bestseller, but has been praised as "invaluable." Armstrong is well known as a popular writer on religious history and this book is one of many she has written for a lay audience. All of her books are well written and enjoyable to read but not always historically reliable. This is, unfortunately, the case with her book on the Buddha. I am afraid that people going away after a reading of this admittedly enjoyable book will have no real understanding of either the Buddha or his religion.
The question is-- what were the social and economic conditions prevailing in Buddha's time that allowed his religion to survive and prosper? The answer to this question is to be found in the works of the great Bengali Marxist philosopher Debiprasad Chattopadhyaya ("Indian Philosophy: A Popular Introduction"; "Lokayata: A Study in Ancient Indian Materialism"). The short answer is that in Buddha's time the old democratic tribal associations were being replaced by newly emergent military states. The tribes had been governed by councils who appointed their leaders by democratic methods. Buddha came from such a tribe, the Sakyas. He witnessed the destruction of these tribal organizations by the new states and the consequent enslavement and murder of tribal peoples. The source of the suffering world.
In his Order he recreated the primitive democracy and interpersonal solidarity of the tribal ethos and thus presented, on a spiritual level, the illusion of freedom and meaning to life that had actually been lost in the real world. This is the real story behind the rise and development of Buddhism, but you won't find it in Armstrong's book.

very interesting book
I think the somewhat mixed reviews of this book are off mark. It is true that I was also expecting biographical insight into the historical person, Siddharta Gautama, but as Armstrong carefully qualifies there is scant historical data on which an educated biography could be based. I don't think educated speculation would serve much purpose. By providing some of the historical context (e.g., axial age and the concerns of new city dwellers in northern India) surrounding the time when Siddharta was active, the reader gets a meaningful feel for the times (even this is, to some extent, conjectural) that may have influenced Siddharta Gautama's motivations and thinking. I am also most impressed by the acuity and knowledge she has about Buddhism and her confidence to paraphrase others' works (as she freely admits) to fit the flow and development of the book. I have found no theoretical flaws in her reasoning, and she is ultra-careful and respectful by not conveying simplistic accounts of Buddihsm's deep ideas which so many books are prone to do. I would say the book is as blunder-free and void of nonsense as well-known books by the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh are. This is no simple feat.

The only two issues I would remark are: (a) she uses "western" a few times to contrast the difficulty that "westerners" might have understanding Buddhism vis-a-vis asians, which is an outdated cliche that too many "Zen writers" still make; Buddhism is as difficult to understand for asians as africans, south americans, or europeans (except possibly Tibetans which is a special case); I think it's time to dispense with the "western" adjective (Dalai Lama included); (b) a little more serious, it would help clarify to the lay/novice reader if Armstrong maintained a clear separation of "suffering" and "pain" which she mixes up now and then. From the context, one understands that she is not in the dark about their essential differences, but that may not be evident to the beginning student. Otherwise, buy this book if you're interested in Buddhism, beginner or advanced practioner/theoretician alike. There are few books as good as this.

look elsewhere
This book is written from the perspective of a skeptic who primarily writes about Western religions, so if you are looking for an introduction to the subject, there are better books available.It makes me wonder why Penguin books didn't get an author who specializes in Eastern religion to write this book.

For a biography, I would recommend "The Living Buddha - An Interpretive Biography" by Daisaku Ikeda (1976) instead of Karen Armstrong's book.

For an introduction to Buddhism,Wapola Rahula's (1959) "What The Buddha Taught".

A beautifut Dispassionate account
One of the reviews for this book states that it is "Destined to become the classic source for anyone delving . . . into the life and teachings of the religious icon." - Christian Science Monitor.

I believe that they are right.It is the most interesting interpretation of his life and teaching that I have read.She draws from both the Pali texts and fragments of the early "lost" Indian material which can be found in translations of the scriptures into Chinese and Tibetan scriptures, which give some of the earliest collection of Sanskrit texts.She spends a good amount of time on the "did Buddha believe in God" issue.Her conclusion is that the use of "phenomena" to dazzle and amaze simple people and from that secure a belief of God was what Buddha objected to.She also talks about the axial age.I had not heard about that before and aparently the veracity of it is debated by some historians.

She brings her excellent command of history and research to the subject.In the January issue of Shambhalla Sun magazine she contributed an article that was also excellent.

I recently read that Buddha was considered by some to be one of the incarnations of Vishnu, the preserver and protector of creation and the embodiment of mercy and goodness.His incarnation as Buddha was to remove suffering from the world.Much of her interpretation would lend credence to this.

This book is well worth the time spent to read it.I have read it several times.It is an excellent source for those just beginning to learn about Buddhism and also for seasoned Buddhists.

"Everything in moderation...
...including moderation," are among my favorite words of the Buddha, and for me, neatly sum up an ideology that some people refer to as complicated or esoteric. I have considered myself a Buddhist for several years now...didn't plan it that way...just started meditating to help me alleviate anxiety, eight years ago last month, and after about a year-and-a-half of insights that just arose naturally from my mindfulness practice, I finally read a book about Buddhism and had the realization that my perception had shifted to the point that my personal ideals are closer to Buddhism than any other "major world religion."

I prefer not to think of Buddhism as a "religion." I think of it as being more of a spiritual ideology, that's just as much about psychology as it is spirituality--and, by the way, too many western psychotherapists and clergymen don't seem to get the fact that psyche and spirit are inextricably linked--one of the realizations that most practitioners of meditation/mindfulness eventually have for themselves is that all things are connected, and that borders and boundaries are merely man-made illusions: if we would all realize that, there would be a lot less conflict and environmental problems in the world.

Buddhism is mostly about creating a proper "MENTAL CULTURE" that helps us to overcome our egocentric hatred, prejudices, jealousy, obsessions, and petty resentments, that all fall under the category of "ignorance;" and to recognize that "god"--or whatever one wants to call the creative force that continues to create in a continuous cycle of arising and subsiding--exists equally in all beings. This is why the Buddha wanted to be remembered not for his life, but for his message. As human beings, it is a projection of our egocentric tendencies that we tend to focus too much on the actual events of peoples lives than the real value of their legacies. It's not forgetting the events of history that condemns us to repeat them, but failing to learn the lessons of history...that's why many of us make the same mistakes over and over again; and, like Phil in the movie, Groundhog Day, we don't get to move on to a new day until we get it right.

Now on to this book. I agree with other reviewers that the book is more informative for non-Buddhists, because it does provide some good information about the Buddha's teachings, although I agree with others that I'm not sure that a biographical account of a life, the details of which are purposely sketchy so as not to emphasize his life over his message, was the best way to communicate this message. The thing I find most problematic about this book is that it does treat his teachings as an ancient, esoteric practice, rather than one that is just as pertinent today as it was 2,500 years ago...in fact, maybe it's even more pertinent today, in a human world that is currently embroiled in degenerative political and ideolical conflicts that have arisen from the ego, that uniquely human reality filter that prevents us from seeing things as they really are, and gives us the false impression that we are separate from our neighbors.

I also wanted to echo the sentiments of another reviewer that pointed out that human "desire" is not what creates problems for us (the Buddha's second noble truth, as stated in the book is that human "suffering" is caused by "desire," which is not the best translation of the Buddha's words). "Desire" is a creative vehicle of nature: what gets us in trouble is when desire becomes excessive and turns into uncontrollable cravings, obsessions, and compulsions.

Whatever spiritual path you choose, please make sure you choose it mindfully, that it really works for you--that is, that it really answers your questions about existence satisfactorily, rather than just raising more questions--and that you don't just do it because this is the "religion" that your family has always practiced. Explore multiple ideologies, and make a conscious decision about what path you choose. Beliefs can be used to wound or heal, and humanity can't really afford to have too much more "worshipping on auto pilot." ... Read more

Amazon.com

Other Buddhist books offer you a path to happiness, Geshe Michael Roach offers a path to wealth. Roach, who while being a monk helped build a $100 million business, demonstrates how ancient notions in The Diamond Cutter sutra can help you succeed, and if you're in business that means to make money, a lot of it. Drawing on lessons he learned in the diamond business and years in Buddhist monasteries, Roach shows how taking care of others is the ultimate path to taking care of oneself, even--especially--in business. As he puts it, you have to engage in "mental gardening," which means doing certain practical things that will form new habits that will create an ideal reality for you. If this sounds a little outrageous, his very precise instructions are down to earth and address numerous specific issues common to the business/management world. Through this practice, you will become a considerate, generous, introspective, creative person of immense integrity, and that will be the key to your wealth. At first this book comes off like a gimmick and the writing isn't without rough patches, but page by page, as Roach introduces you to the practical details and real-life examples, his arguments become more convincing. A cross between the Dalai Lama's ethics and Stephen Covey's Seven Habits, The Diamond Cutter will have you gardening a path to the bank. --Brian Bruya ... Read more

Reviews (21)

A Splendid Read for Buddhists and Non-Buddhists.
I had never heard of Michael Roach until I searched out Shoutcast (Internet Radio) and found the Tibetan Buddhist station. Being of that tradition, I was delighted to find the station.

The program that was on at that time was Dharma talks by Michael on The Heart Sutra, a most important Buddhist teaching.

I was so taken with his messages and the way he could get these deep ideas across so easily that I wanted to learn more about him. That's when I discovered that he had a new book out, The Diamond Cutter. So I bought a copy at Amazon.

Michael spent many years in the New York Diamond industry. He explains that he was attracted to diamonds because they are the hardest form in the universe.

This book is about business. It is about the problems that we all encounter in business daily. And it tells us how to handle the problem and why every problem has a cause, perhaps not in this lifetime but in some lifetime.

Michael clearly explains why some people who are greedy and unkind are successful. No, it's nothing they've done in this life but rather they did something of merit in another life that brought the wealth in this lifetime. But in another lifetime they will reap the Karma they're now sowing.

He tells us that if we wish to be wealthy, we need to be generous with our money and our time.

Michael uses his vast knowledge of the diamond industry to teach business ethics from a Buddhist perspective based on the all-important teaching of Lord Buddha in His Diamond Cutter (Vajrachchedika sutra).

I highly recommend this wonderful book to anyone who cares about their business, their relationships, their finances and their life in general.

The Real Thing
I first have to say that I did not buy this so much for the business angle--I'm more just on the lookout for any new Buddhist material I can find. This is probably the freshest book in the realm of "American Buddhism" that I've read in the last year. I hadn't heard of Roach before, but I now feel that he truly is one of the most important Buddhist teachers in the U.S. today. (If you haven't already seen it you should look at the interview Amazon did with him.) The writing in Diamond Cutter isn't always so great, but Roach has a superior talent for explaining elements of Tibetan Buddhism in a way that is light years ahead of many other books out there in terms of accessibility. Perhaps that's because he is American born, so he really knows how to communicate with his contemporaries, but even beyond that he appears to have a great mind. This isn't great as a Buddhist primer, but if you are at all familiar with Buddhism you'll probably get some real insights out of this one.

A book that changed my business
I run a small business for more than 10 years now and have my share of ups and downs, from facing near bankruptcy to hitting big contracts. But whatever the outcome, I am always short of money and I am constantly struggling to make ends meet. That is, until I read this book. It has changed my business. I now find money flowing in without me chasing after it and I work less than before. To all of you out there who are struggling in business or in your personal life, buy this book and follow the principles. They work and they will make you a better person.

Buddhism for open-minded sceptics
For all the "suits" out there: You've tried every business fad from empowerment to micromanagement; why not try something with a real track record?

As a busy manager, the book suited me perfectly. Geshe Roach gives you the no mumbo jumbo, how to test Buddhism in the work place guide. Most people who have studied Buddhism as deeply as Roach can't explain it well and especially to a business person. No such problems here. The book demonstrates his knowledge of real-life business situations enough to make him convincing for sceptical business people and explains only the salient points of Buddhist practice.

Blood Diamonds
Sort of Buddha for dummies who want money type of book. When one reads about the West African bloobaths commited over these stupid little stones it might be a better use of Roachs' skills to start a boycott of diamonds ... Read more

Book Description

The flavor, the savor, and the sense of Buddhism as revealed through personal stories of Westerners who lived it.

Many books on Buddhism will edify you, but will they entertain you? Here, finally, is a book that yields an understanding of Buddhism—not by its metaphysics or rituals but through real characters and true stories as dramatic as those in the most imaginative novel.

Jeffery Paine has assembled the breathtaking adventures of nine Westerners who traveled in China, Tibet, and Japan, in Nepal and India, and in that new Buddhist frontier, America, chanced across Buddhism, and made it an integral part of their lives. Through vivid travel writing and gripping human tales, the reader is exposed not just to the theory of Buddhist philosophy and practice but also to what it looks like from the inside. From enchanting, now-lost kingdoms in Asia to the American workplace where a practitioner is profitably applying the dharma, Adventures with the Buddha is a tour de force across nations, generations, and, ultimately, spirituality. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Celebrated children's-book illustrator Demi puts the Buddha's life story into words any child can enjoy. Even more, children will love the lush, meticulously painted scenes, rendered in traditional Asian fashion yet as light and whimsical asCalvin and Hobbes. (Ages 9 to 12.) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Moving, Great Book!
This book tells the story of Buddha so clearly and precisely that it taught me a lot that I previously didn't know or understand. I am hoping to share this book with my students during the Buddhist New Year in April. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

What? No recipes?
I really enjoyed this book about the author's experiences cooking in a Buddhist Monastery in Northern California. Several chapters are real gems: Jizo Ceremony, Impermanence, A Cup of Tea and On Having A Teacher. She makes good use of her early experiences as a chef to contrast with the new attitude of mindfulness and silence.

Even though I give it five stars I still walked away from the table hungry for a little more.

I would have liked to read a deeper treatment of transforming the five poisons into the five wisdoms, something intriguing that was only mentioned in passing.

How can you write a whole book about cooking in a Buddhist kitchen and not include a single recipe? The Author does mention at one point that she is working on a cookbook. I'd love to read that as a companion volume to this great book on practical application of Buddhist ideas to daily life.

Recommended to students of Buddhist philosophy
Congenially written by Kimberley Snow, (a resident of a Tibetan Buddhist community for six years and who served the center as head cook), In Buddha's Kitchen: Cooking, Being Cooked, And Other Adventures In A Meditation Center is a wry memoir of both physical and spiritual work, and which showcases the those transcendent values of meditation which can be found in mundane tasks and the simple joys of everyday life. A delight to read, In Buddha's Kitchen is enthusiastically recommended to students of Buddhist philosophy and practice as being deeply spiritual and embracing the crucial importance of compassion, love, and joy in even the most menial of life's duties.

Everyday Buddha
In Buddha's Kitchen was an honest and profound look into the mind's phenomenon. I was left with a deep sense of humanity as I learned that my own questions are part of a larger communal experience. Kimberley Snow's book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Buddhism, but her experience is also a reflection of everyone who searches their daily life for the good within. I recommend this book for anyone looking for that everyday Buddha. Kimberly if you're reading this, thank you.

Enjoyable but with a negative bite
This book was worth reading. I especially enjoyed the first part. However, there is definately a negative feeling throughout about the drudgery of cooking that got tiresome at spots. And the poetic references I could have done without. Otherwise it was a clever way to blend buddhist belief into the everyday. There were some very choice quotes about how we all feel that the past is a big looming gigantic piece of our life and the future is this looming huge obstacle to tackle and how the present is seen as just a crack in the fissure. (or something like that). When in reality the present is ALL that we have. It was worth reading just for that reference.

Laugh Out Loud Funny & Profound
This is an amazing book. Who could have anticipated such a combination of fall-down-funny good humor and profound evocation of the nature of the Buddhist path in everyday life?
Chef Snow, trying to get away from her commercial kitchen, winds up at a Tibetan Buddhist meditation center in charge of the kitchen there! Meditation in action doesn't even begin to describe her adventures. Her long journey to awareness is the perfect introductory book I would recommend to anyone yearning to make their own days more meaningful and happy and useful through the exposure to ancient spiritual insights. Certain to be recognized as a classic, but more important it's a delightful "read" that will literally change lives.
To put it briefly, keeping with Snow's ongoing metaphor of the kitchen, "downright delicious & joyously nourishing." ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The other reviews are dead on
This book is indeed one of the best introductions to Buddhism one can possibly read. Corless applies his own experience with the religion, to all of the teachings he presents in the book. Keep in mind that a lot of what is included here is explanations of the Buddhist idealogy, not anything that you can really practice.

Use this book as more of a factor in deciding if Buddhism is the right religion for you. Corless even takes the time to write some excellent footnotes, so you could even consider this book for research.

I think the reason this book worked so well for me was the fact that it was presented in such a non-threatening way that it makes the book easy to absorb. Keep in mind that careful reading is important, as a lot of chapters reference previous chapters. This is not a determent to the quality of the book, rather it is important to the building block style of teaching Buddhism that the book represents.

Buy this book as a great introduction if you have even the slightest interest in the Buddhist vision. You won't be disappointed.

the best intro book to buddhism
I bought this book after I met Prof. Corless in an United Religion Initiative conference. He's a very witty guy with a sharp observation. This book demonstrates these qualities.

This book is amazingly comprehensive yet easy to read. I was glued to the book right after I received it. Prof. Corless structures and explaines complex Buddhist ideas in an easy and fascinating way. Definitely one of the best introduction to Buddhism because, very early in the book, he points out common mistakes Westerners make when approaching Buddhism. Since most people are influenced by mainstream Christianity, they analyze Buddhism with the wrong methodology.

Along reading the book, you will pickup small funny stories from him. His personality shines through this book.

This is a very accessible summary of Buddhist thought.
In this excellent and very readable book, Dr. Corless (a professor of religion at Duke University) uses the life of the Buddha as a framework for introducing the major concepts of Buddhism to a general readership. He accurately and concisely covers the major ideas of South, Central ane East Asian Buddhism and shows a fine respect for all of them. Zen, Theravadin Buddhism, Chinese Pure Land and Tibetan Vajrayana are all well represented and put into perspective. Despite its broad scope, this is an easy to read and inspiring, as well as informative, book. The author has mastered the art of speaking to those of us who are neither scholars nor specialists. "The Vision of Buddhism" does not go over our heads, and Dr. Corless never talks down to us. I highly recommend it.

Excellent introduction to spirited buddhism
I've probably read 1000 books on buddhism, and Corless' book still gave me new insights and new ways of looking at the Dharma. *THE* book I recommed to friends who ask "How can I learn something about Buddhism.&quot ... Read more

Amazon.com

Short bios and favorite recipes (some of them vegan) from people who are or were vegetarians at some point in their lives.Try Ghandi's Spicy Chapatis and Gujarati-Style carrot salad. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Entertaining vegetarian history
The author has come up with authentic recipes(or reasonable fac-similes thereof) reflecting the tastes of famous vegetarians throughout the ages. Anecdotal sketches give life to each of the 32 celebrities from Plato andPythagoras to Tolstoi, Gandhi andGeorge Bernard Shaw along with"contemporaries" like Paul McCartney and Isaac Bashevis Singer.Mr.Berry writes gracefully, and the 80 recipes are not only fascinating,but have been kitchen tested tested by the author for"savoriness." Many recipes are unfired. The book is fullyreferenced with footnotes(in the back). This is a superb book!

Interesting
Rynn Berry's "Famous Vegetarians and their favorite recipes" presents an overview of famous vegetarians in history. Each biography of the 30 famous vegetarians is about 3-6 pages long. It is by no means a comprehensive nor referenced work (not that I'm questioning his sources, but that being that this book features short pieces of fascinating individuals, it only makes sense to provide a "works cited" list or a reference list for those who are interested to pursue their research). If you are looking for great vegan/vegetarian recipes, you are at the wrong place. Most of the recipes are not too appetizing. ... Read more

Book Description

The story of Prince Siddharta and how he became Buddha is told here in the lyrical prose that makes for absorbing reading for people of all ages. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This book was great for teaching my daughter about buddhism!
I could tell that Chi-Lou, my daughter, was very interested in this!! We had taught her many thing about Buddha, but she learn it best when it was tell to her in story like this book! Even I liked this children book. Great for kid, and great for spirituality. I highly recomend book! ... Read more

Book Description

The Buddha from Dolpo examines the life and thought of the Tibetan Buddhist master, Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen (1292- 1361). Known as "The Buddha from Dolpo," he was one of the most important and original thinkers in Tibetan history, and perhaps the greatest expert on the tantric teachings of the Kalacakra or "Wheel of Time." Based largely upon esoteric Buddhist knowledge believed to be preserved in the legendary land of Shambhala, Dolpopa's theories continue to excite controversy in Tibetan Buddhism after almost 700 years.

Dolpopa emphasized two contrasting definitions of the Buddhist teachings of emptiness: "emptiness of self-nature," which applies only to the level of relative truth, and "emptiness of other," which applies only to the level of absolute truth. Dolpopa identified ultimate reality as the Buddha-nature inherent in all living beings. This view of an "emptiness of other," known in Tibetan as Zhentong, is Dolpopa's main spiritual legacy.

This book contains the first translations into any language of major works by Dolpopa. A General Commentary on the Doctrine is one of the earliest texts in which he systematically presented his view of the entire Buddhist path to enlightenment. The Fourth Council, written at the end of his life, may be viewed as a final summation of his ideas.

Cyrus Stearns's book describes both Dolpopa's life and his ideas. Earlier Tibetan precedents for the Zhentong view are also discussed, as well as Dolpopa's own unique use of language and the major influences on the development of his controversial theories. The fate of his tradition, which was censured by the Tibetan government in the seventeenth century, is examined, and several of the most important adherents to the Zhentong theory are also discussed. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

a surprising discovery and fantastic read
I accidentally ran across this book in the "new arrivals" section of a university library last night, and stayed up until 2 A.M. reading it. It contains the life story of the neglected Tibetan masterDolpopa, a subsequent account of the ill-fated legacy of his teachings, andtwo brief treatises by The Omniscient himself. I am not a specialist inBuddhism, and in fact had never even heard of Dolpopa 24 hours ago, but nowI will never forget him.

Cyrus Stearns has obviously put an impressiveamount of research into this volume without ever sliding over intopedantry. His concern is to tell the story of a simple and profound idea asit unveils itself in the spirtual and geographic vastness of 14th centuryTibet. The central issue of Zhentong is explained clearly and memorably,and in such a way as to make it relevant for Western philosophers as well.Lucid works of this kind do far more for a true East-West dialogue than anyamount of "multicultural" preaching. All who read this book withan open mind will be moved to cure their ignorance of the history ofBuddhism.

I feel as though a new portion of the human past has beenopened up for me by Stearns' work. It deserves to be read by anyone witheven a trace of interest in world religions, world history, or the past andfuture of metaphysics in all traditions. ... Read more

Book Description

Richard Rose was an unlikely Zen master: A rugged, plainspoken, ornery West Virginian, he scraped out a living raising goats, planting crops and painting houses. But Richard Rose had a secret: Having once vowed to “find the Truth or die trying,” Rose experienced a cataclysmic spiritual awakening at age 30 that thrust him into “Everything-ness and Nothing-ness," or what he called “the Absolute.” The experience left him with only one earthly desire: to do anything, for anyone, on a similar quest for Truth.

David Gold was an unlikely student: An arrogant, ambitious and egotistical law-student, David Gold only agreed to meet the “enlightened hillbilly” in the hopes of showing him up. But when Rose turned the tables by seeing right through Gold and painting a devastatingly accurate picture of the fears and obsessions that ruled his life, a humbled Gold found himself hungry to know more.

Thus began a remarkable 15-year adventure—part spiritual odyssey, part legal thriller—in which death threats, corrupt politicians, and life-threatening cancer run parallel to glimpses of the divine and extraordinary manifestations of timeless wisdom.

Reviews (6)

I'm usually writing negative reviews on fake guru books.
I think Richard Rose was/is the genuine thing. He has written a number of books himself which you may find on Amazon and other places that I recommend. He's upsetting to many "New Agers" who are expecting a guru on a fluffy cloud. Mr. Rose is more like one of the old school harsh Zen masters.

I've read this book and and don't know the politics that are going on with it but it seems like a credible telling of the Richard Rose story from the author's perspective. Be careful what you wish for.

Richard Rose Speaks The Truth
I have been studying metaphysics and philosophy for quite a while with many powerful teachers. Rarely do you find a teacher like Richard Rose who so unflinchingly tells the truth. While many believe pursuing a life of bliss is the answer, Richard confirms my experience that life is often struggle and hard work. And it is only by going into those dark places, which he apparently was a master at creating for others, do we recover our wholeness and humanity. It is sad that some have chosen to slam this work for their own purposes. I don't know anything about organizations and all that, but I do know that Richard Rose spoke the truth as recorded by David Gold.

One Star For Memetic Self Promotion
This book is also for review at the writers SKS promotional website where business and writing have mutated into self promotion.

Two young guys from very middle class upbringing were seduced in thought and possible practise by a man who is now an invalid, all
coming together shortly after Woodstock, Altamont, Vietnam and the era of so called metaphysical self discovery.

This is not Wittgenstein's Poker with Popper and Ludwig W. meeting head to head at Cambridge but a tale of much lesser metaphysicians and philosophers and a sad tale of commune like life.

It is sad that the writer and his cadre of supporters did not spend greater time at one of the great Universities for the study of Philosophy (Univ. of Pittsburgh) hbefore imbarking upon a journey which has lead them to a Hegelian like self promotion.

For no other reason, this book may be read to understand how to turn a wierd and sickening experience into self promotion.

Spawning a Bad Metaphysical Meme
I have read enough of this book as well as publications from the
spawning organization (SKS) to know a bad meme, ref."mimetics", when read.

Sadly a bizzare experience by a couple of young middle class kids in the late sixties and early seventies and on a largely male dominated farm in the hills of WVA has secured a place in cyberspace as well as some disingenuous minds in Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC areas.

We obviously live in a Cowardly New Worlsd where third rate metaphyics can gain some stock, especially when combining it with the business ventures of its principal exponents (Turak-Gold-Clark-Buehler).

Entertaining and Insightful
Reading this book has been a very pleasant and positive experience for me. Depending on where you are in your life and how much truth you can handle today, this book might be for you.
Let me share a few quotes that I extrated from it:

"The path to Truth only seems complex because we have to navigate the complexities and interferences of the mind. As these interferences are removed, the path becomes simpler. That's why one of the first things you need to do is get your house in order. Get your life organized to the point where you can at least think. Take an honest look at your life to see what's holding you up. Maybe it's fear, or an appetite, or a habit that no one else would consider destructive--and maybe it isn't destructive, except to the search."
...
"All you need is your own inner determination. Maybe a few words or lines in a book will help you, maybe they won't. But if something you hear appeals to your intuition, check it out. Prove or disprove it for yourself. Because when you get into these matters the only thing you have to go by is your intuition. And the more perfected your intuition becomes, the better you are at discrimination."
...
"The mistake people make is to wait for something to happen to them before they begin searching. They want the voice of God, or something, to tell them to get started. Or maybe they know they should be doing something but they procrastinate, hoping that tomorrow they'll have more conviction and be more determined. What they forget is there may be no tomorrow for them."
...
"I'd come to realize that if a man is ever going to grasp anything it won't be by learning. His being has to change. You are what you do, not what you know. A man never learns, he becomes. To become, you must find ways and means to change your entire state-of-mind. This in turn will lead to a change of being."
...
"When you finally realize that you're not doing anything in this life--that you're incapable of doing anything--then you stumble into a state of mindlessness that proves to be creative, that's all."
...
"The ego is the single biggest obstruction to the achievement of anything. Between-ness is the act of acting without ego. You act, but you are not the actor. You do things, but you are not the doer--and you know you are not the doer. It's the ability to hold the head at a dead standstill in order to effect certain changes. You desire the change, but you do not care if it comes to pass."
...
"Once a person has the formula, anything can be changed, even the future. Through determination, a man can discover how to completely change his destiny. There's thoughts--which are not yours, but come from elsewhere--and there gaps between thoughts. When you get into that gap between thoughts, you have the opportunity to completely reshuffle you life. This may sound impossible to you now, but try not to let your ignorance get in the way of understanding. I have just told you something of priceless value."

I'll stop here, but expect to find much more wisdom and insights in this book if you read it. ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Buddhism isn't just for baby boomers anymore. As the spiritual marketplace continues to broaden in North America, Buddhism is emerging as a popular religious alternative among the young. Sumi Loundon, a practicing Buddhist and graduate student at Harvard Divinity School, has gathered a group of Generation X-ers and even younger Generation Y-ers around a virtual campfire to swap stories about what it means to be Buddhist. These are more than just your average tales of pious conversion or blissful living. Loundon's cadres find the relevance of Buddhism atop a sheer cliff face; in the throbbing heart of New York City; strung out on crack; in relationships good and bad; in tragic accidents; and in social activism. Some are monks, others punks; some meditate, others chant; some teach the dharma, others just live it. In this group, Buddhism is neither exotic nor a panacea. For many, it is a feeling of coming home and a proven method of coping while remaining open to the vicissitudes of life. Anyone who has felt the pull of Buddhism--the compelling arguments of its philosophy or the quiet expansiveness of it practices--will quickly identify with the personal experiences in this collection. Like Douglas Coupland's Generation X, Blue Jean Buddha could well become a book that defines and binds a group growing in self-awareness. --Brian Bruya ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Young American Buddhists
I'm a young American (20-something) and I am so happy that someone is finally paying attention to my generation of practicing Buddhists! This book is interesting whether you're a young person just discovering Buddhism, or an older person interested in the new spirtiual motivations in youth culture today. The only weakness I can mention about this book is that it does not cover a wide range of Buddhist traditions. I wish, for example, it had included interviews with young Buddhists in the Soka Gakkai tradition which is one of the most youthful schools of Buddhism I know of in the United States these days. In any case, I am just glad someone finally published a book like this one. I also highly recommend a little gift book written by a 20-something American Buddhist named Taro Gold called "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life: A Little Book of Eastern Wisdom." I hope more and more young Buddhist voices will be found in print in the near future.

"Blue Jean Buddha" a rare, articulate work
Sumi Loundon and company's BLUE JEAN BUDDHA is a rarity in several regards. For one thing, Loundon and her writers manage to lucidly articulate many ideas and feelings about culture, pop culture, age, and Buddhism that have previously proven to be precarious ground for authors to tread (this is particularly true of Loundon's first-class analyses throughout the book). For another, it switches gears gracefully--for any book, not just a dharma book--between being a sociological study (pieces like Kenneth Lee's "Drugs and the Dharma" and Thich Nu Pho-Chau's "Life as a Vietnamese Nun" exemplify this); a unique and very broad dialogue on philosophy, cultural ideologies, psychology, service, and peace (Claudia Heiman's "Winning over Depression," Noah Levine's "A Dharma Punx Path," and Adrienne Stauffer's "Freeing Tibet, Freeing Myself"); and very often literary nonfiction (Seth Castleman's "If a Nice Jewish Boy Sits in a Cave, Does He Make a Difference?" and Lillian Guild's "The Perfect Buddhist Boyfriend"). And lastly, its pieces burst with a very special kind of honesty about spiritual pursuits and the many facets of American life that only the spirit of youth could offer (Hanuman Goleman's "I'm a Mutt"). BLUE JEAN BUDDHA is fresh, insightful, and right-on. All of the bull's-eyes it manages to hit combined with its heart and humor make it an engaging read for anyone and an essential volume for any Buddhist's library.

Honesty From Spiritual Peers
This book is a good read for people overwhelmed by religious texts written by spiritual teachers. It is always nice to read what peers and contemporaries have to say on a subject like religion. This is not a book to pick up and read if you want to learn the fundamentals of Buddhist philosophy, but it is a wonderfully reassuring book for those looking for a sort of real time guide to how Buddhism fits into everyday life.

The contributors to this book were beautifully honest and allowed the readers into very intimate parts of their lives. That honesty is what keeps the reader involved in the book and steers these essays away from a Chicken Soup For the Soul sort of feel.

Awesome
Nice to read a book of stories by young Buddhists on the path, and be able to relate.

A Book Whose Time Has Come
As a young, serious Buddhist, I always wondered if there were others who shared my lifestyle and worldview. To my delight, I found that I am not alone. For me personally, "Blue Jean Buddha" is definitely a book whose time has come.
The book is down-to-earth and sincere, full of honest essays about how young people are implementing the Dharma into their lives, personal, public, and professional. It certainly is not New Agey, "too far out", cliche, or irrelevant. (I was anxious about the possibility of BJB being so, but it did not disappoint me!)The book explores the interchanges between Buddhism, Generation X and Y, and American pop culture, among other topics. It has no agenda except to portray Buddhism as it plays itself out, right now.
In many ways, I feel like BJB is a historical snapshot of some of the people who will be among the most influential shapers of Buddhism in the West in the near future. I was happy for this warning!
I definitely appreciated the vast diversity of Buddhist traditions and expressions represented in BJB. As an introduction, the book provides teases and initial glances into Buddhism, and does not purport to be a definitive statement by examining details. There are gaps, because there are still issues in modern Buddhism yet to be debated and/or resolved. But that is the point of BJB, it keeps you thinking, wondering, critically inquiring. I learned a lot from this book and totally recommend it to anyone interested in young people, and the future of Buddhism in the West.
The deep, thoughtful, and important reflections and rhetorical questions offered in THE CONCLUSION is WORTH THE WHOLE PRICE OF THE BOOK ALONE. Editor Sumi Loundon does not pretend to know all the answers, and after reading all these possibilities, I realized I didn't predict the future either! These are fast, exciting times we live in right now, and this is a perfect book to have along for the ride. ... Read more

Book Description

A simple, uplifting telling of the life of Buddha by an award-winning, best-selling author. This is the first account of the Buddha story that does not separate, but blends the elements of history, apochrypha, and the Buddhist tenets into a compelling, page-turning narrative: it establishes Buddha as an exceptional mortal who embodies the search for immortaility and the end of suffering.Not for Buddhist insiders, but for all readers, this tale reaches across time to those with similar yearnings and needs, because all humans wish to elude death. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Afghanistan travels-a mysterious and magical tour.
Fascinating tour of many lesser known and sometimes hidden ancient sites in Afghanistan. True story of travels there in the twentieth century before the Russian invasion. Full of humorous insight into the many cultural and political stresses that clearly contributed to the situation as it is today. This is a wonderful book containing very interesting material that is available nowhere else! ... Read more

Book Description

Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born in 563 B.C. on the border of India and Nepal. At age 29, he left his family and life of privilege behind to become a wandering ascetic in search of enlightenment. He studied meditation with many teachers, and after six years of seeking, became enlightened under a bodhi tree. In the 25 centuries since the Buddha lived, his teachings have spread across the globe, inspiring practitioners as well as writers both famous and obscure. This collective portrait gathers writings from contributors including Hermann Hesse, Jack Kerouac, Thich Nhat Hanh, Jack Kornfield, religious scholar Karen Armstrong, and death-row prisoner Kevin Sack, and intersperses them with 150 color photos depicting Buddhism around the world. ... Read more

Book Description

Although a widely observed and respected practice in America, Buddhism is still difficult for many seekers to thoroughly grasp. Now, Adrienne Howley - personally ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and one of the highest ranking Buddhist nuns in the world - writes in a warm, simple, and engagingly humorous style that illustrates the life, ideas, and teachings of the Buddha and the religion and philosophy that he inspired. This charming guide demystifies Buddhism and shows how we can apply its teachings to our lives in useful and meaningful ways. Howley covers who Buddha was and how he came to formulate his philosophy, the three main Buddhist traditions, what ordinary Buddhists believe and practice today, and meditation: how and why. There are also answers to questions most commonly asked by non-Buddhists, including: How can Buddhism make me happy? How can I always practice generosity? and How can I move away from greed and hatred? The Naked Buddha is an accessible, down-to-earth introduction to this ancient Asian religion and a valuable addition to the literature on Buddhism. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Naked Buddha
This book is an essential guide for those people who are beginning their journey into buddhism. It offers straightforward answers to questions about this religion. As a buddhist, I found this book to be a helpful meditation starting point when stuck on topics to ponder. Adrienne gives a brief background into the life of siddhartha so that the reader can understand how buddhism came about. Then she explores the buddha's teachings. I especially enjoyed the last two sections where she answers the readers questions about buddhism. I would definately recommend this book. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Comprehension beyond compare!!
As a practitioner of Nichiren Buddhism, and member of SGI-USA, I have found this book to be utterly enlightening, absolutely comprehensible, and totally fulfilling in way that makes Daisaku Ikeda's writings all the more valuable to me. His interpretation of the life of the original Buddha, Shakyamuni, has answered many lingering questions I've had on the fundamentals of Buddhist philosophy and I encourage anyone with an interest in Buddhism to read this book!!!

The Living Buddha
Ikeda's biography of Shakyamuni Buddha made him very real. The reader is taken into the life and times of Shakyamuni, providing a rich history that kept me turning the pages for more. I have read this book twice and eachtime I enjoy it more than the last. Most important, Ikeda uses language andconcepts that Buddhists and non Buddhists alike can readily understand.

A Down to Earth Rendering
This book is excellent ! The first in a series of three on the origin and history of Buddhism, it offers valuable insights from a unique perspective on the first man to reveal the Dharma and turn the Wheel of the ExcellentLaw. Dr. Ikedas' 'interpretive biography', approach is interesting andhonest in it's effort to aknowledge the difficulties of putting such a worktogether at such a great chronological remove, and I feel he has dealt withthese difficulties in a very useful way. I would reccomend this book toanyone seeking to acquire a knowledge of general Buddhist history, and evenmore so to those seeking to use this knowledge as the Buddha himselfintended; to improve their lives, and the world itself.

Life of Buddha Brought Alive
Reading this book evokes the spirit of Shakyamuni as an enlightened person living in a troubled society who offers wisdom to humanity on how to overcome life's sufferings. The stories of his relationships with hisfollowers and the guidance he imparts to inspire them to live noble livestranscends any specific time or age. A wonderful book to pick up wheneveryou want to feel close to the Buddha within you.

The Early History of Buddhism
This book, "The Living Buddha, An Interpretive Biography" give the reader an glimpse into the life and times of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni.(Also known as Siddhartha Gautama).Unlike many other booksof its kind, "The Living Buddha" touches mostly on thepersonality of the Buddha himself, to help us understand his personalmotivations and experiences.

Shakyamuni, the "Enlightened One,"was a common mortal who achieved enlightenment as to the fundamental natureof life and the universe itself.

"The Living Buddha" is alucidly written biography by Daisaku Ikeda, president of Soka GakkaiInternational, the world's largest Buddhist organization and a UnitedNations NGO.

Through his book, we see that the world and societyShakyamuni lived in is not so different than ours now - that he was facedwith the same type of problems we all face.The account of how heconquered these problems is what makes for an inspiring narrative. ... Read more

Book Description

Like Jesus's apostles...the main disciples of the historic Buddha were transformed by his awe-inspiring spiritual force! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Priceless
This is a really good resource for anyone interested in expanding their knowledge in addition to the prose of all the ancient Pali texts. As the title of this book suggests, what you are setting out to read here is ultimately an exploration into the careers and character of the Buddha's greatest disciples. He covers tough subjects such as their ambiguous and esoteric past lives and their aspirations towards enlightenment. Sometimes Nyanaponika, when possible, gives us an account as to the nature of the individual's death. For anyone who studies the Pali Cannon, or who wants to further their understanding of Buddhist theological history - this is your book.

The lives depicted here demonstrate that indeed upholding spiritual ideals are apparently documented as having paid off. And not necessarily by means of having gained some "thing." Here are examples of people who struggled against their human existence as much as we all do. Only through faith in the Buddhist path and their practice, were they able to transverse the mundane realm of existence into the realm of the spiritually noble. What a wonderful book we have here. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Real live superheros and heroines
People who can fly, walk on water, multiply themselves or have x-ray vision are usually associated with comic books. According to Buddhist teachings, these powers are accessible to those who can perfect their concentration. Apart from including biographies of some individuals credited with the above sorts of psychic abilities, it also has equally gripping accounts of the more ordinary aspects of these and many other disciples of the Buddha most of whom became enlightened. It is thus an account of the principal individuals after the Buddha who were supposed to have finished everything that needs accomplishing with no further burdens or debts to pay having gained superknowledge.

The book includes several self contained short biographies, mainly by the Germans Helmuth Hecker and the late Ven Nanyaponika. It is sadly short on details on the great female disciples. Perhaps more room can be created later.

A must for anyone inspired by Buddhism and the potentiality of the human mind for lasting freedom.

Brilliant, Inspiring and Moving
One has to read the work on Sariputta and Ananda to know that great virtues do live in the heart of mankinds. Especially at the reading of 'Last Debt Paid' concerning to last days of Sariputta, I cannot help but to be moved by the details of the event. Each reading, makes me feel the presence of the Great Disciples near me. So inspiring and motivating. A good read and re-read for the future. A must have!

Poorly written, but containing valuable information
Well, I bought this book because I wanted to learn more about Buddhism. I did learn more, but it was painful. The information in this book is valuable and important, but the book is poorly written and, frankly, boring. I suppose that good writing is another aspect of worldliness that the authors have shunned.

Brilliant
A unique book that collates all the relevant material on the key disciples of the Buddha Gotama. Beautifully and movingly done. An inspiration. ... Read more