Book Description

This digital document is an article from Skipping Stones, published by Skipping Stones on December 22, 1994. The length of the article is 606 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Buddhism. (brief recollection of the life of Siddhartha Guatama)
Author: Daisy Diaz
Publication: Skipping Stones (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 22, 1994
Publisher: Skipping Stones
Volume: v6Issue: n5Page: p20(1)

Article Type: Biography

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Book Description

This is a simple & beautiful retelling of this classic story for modern audienceFilled with stories of wisdom &compassion, this ancient tale offers inspiration to spiritual seekers of all beliefs. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Not a history book......but then again, it doesn't try to be
A wonderful account of The Buddha's earliest traditions that are deeply rooted in Hiduism. The book presents the story in a very straightforward path from prelife to death. Not an introduction to Buddhism itself but simply the stories surrounding the man who was its source. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the most ancient stories of The Buddha.

A highly readable and inspiring historical account
This is an excellent book. Much better for eg. than Paul Carus' Gospel of the Buddha, a perennial bestseller, though it hasn't sold much here. Don't be fooled by the low sales. Kohn manages to convey in extremely readable English, the poetry of the Buddha's life from what is evidently extensive research of the original sources. This is not a book about the Buddha's philosophy, though the when, how and what of his enlightenment is amply covered. It is primarily an account of his life, a biography, and in that, an excellent one. One gets a sense of his life, as also of the times in which he lived. The mythical contexts come alive in a way that one rarely sees, particularly the quaint world-space of the time. All the Buddha's major disciples and those with whom he had significant interactions are covered extensively. The most important thing about this book and what may be seen as it's only limitation is that it is not a scholarly work, but an introduction for the curious seeker. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Excellent introduction to early Buddhist thought
This book, perhaps better than any other I've read, brings to light the unique philosophical position of the Buddha. Carrithers clearly explains how the Buddha stood out from the intellectual background of his time and helps one understand how and why the Buddha arrived at his views. A brilliant account of the Buddha's life and teachings not only for its scholarship but also for its refreshing lucidity.

Academic yet readable, thougrough, lucid and concise
This work is in essence a reprint of the earlier Past Masters work 'The Buddha'. It provides a succinct, clear overviews of the historic Buddha, his teachings and the development and spread of these up to the present day.

Written by a British Anthropologist from an academic perspective - but accessible to general readers, this work is stripped of the enigmatic and ethereal detritus that presents a barrier to understanding in some Buddhist writing, especially for those of an empirical and sceptical bent. Despite the detached, academic style, it is nevertheless clear that Carrithers is deeply impressed with Buddhism.....as will many readers be after finishing this book.

This work is very short, only around 100 pages, and this adds to its power. I recommend it unreservedly as a concise introduction to Buddhism. Certainly the most succinct, lucid yet thougrough overview of Buddhism that I've yet read.

A short, engaging, intelligent digest
This is a recycled version of the same book by the same publisher in the Past Masters series. It is a pity there have been no changes if any made to the original work done in 1983 as a few things have changed in Buddhist studies since then. At least the pictures are better and the book looks shorter than the original transmission.

A sharp, highly critical approach with the most important elements highlighted. A coherent essay of depth and rigour. A joy to read and appreciate.

This is the 2nd book on Buddhism in the A Very Short Introduction series (VSI) by OUP. The book "Buddhism a VSI" by D. Keown is also excellent. In fact most of the books on the VSI series seem to be brilliant. To be recommended to anyone, cheap to buy, cheaper to read and the taste is very expensive.

An great book
A fantastic book which clearly and intelligently explains the Buddha's unique insights. ... Read more

Book Description

1929. The author's one aim in presenting this short life of the Buddhist Princess Yashodara was to form a vivid word picture of a Princess born in the purple of royalty and wedded to the heir of a great kingdom who became a saint. Through the centuries which have passed, her name has been handed down and we find a sweet and living reality in her memory. Beautifully illustrated. ... Read more

Book Description

A vivid memoir as well as a biography, this book details the adventures and mishaps of two students from the US who travel through a summer of rain in Nepal, interviewing Tibetans about traditional medicine. Through their journey, they learn about life in Nepal and Old Tibet, and of how traditional medicine stems from the Tibetan Buddhist world view. While grappling with problems their environment throws at them, they meet intriguing individuals who speak of their lives—some more fantastic than others—and their experiences healing. The author’s tone is personal and insightful as she records the stories of Tibetan doctors, patients, and shamans, watches and partakes in healings, and reflects on other aspects of living in Nepal. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

honest and captivating
There's a lot of variety in this book. It's fun to read about the author's adventures in Nepal. I liked getting a feel for what life was like over there. And reading about Tibetan medicine from experiences instead of looking at some dry textbook. I especially liked learning about connections between Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan medicine--the ways that the mind and spirit can affect one's health. The stories of the Tibetan elders she interviews are fascinating. A good balance of action and reflection... ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A modern script about Buddha's life
This is a history written with a great sensitivity, based on ancient texts, but told as a modern script (almost a hollywood script). I can't imagine a buddha nearer to us. Only a question: ¿When the movie? (Excuse my english)

Worth the Read for Buddhists and Non-Buddhists Alike
I highly recommend this book to anyone beginning to study the Buddha's life or to the merely curious. Mr. Mitchell's portrayl of the Buddha is one of the most vibrant and real I have ever encountered; and I have read many books on the subject. While not highly scholarly it brings this most compassionate of humanity's teachers to life right before your eyes. It has wide range in that it covers the scope of Siddharta Gautama's life. From the miraculous stories of his birth to his 45 year ministry. I highly recommend this book to Buddhists and Non-Buddhists alike. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Lack of Effort Clearly Shown!
What the author must have done is get together her thoughts collected on bar napkins, paste them together and think this was a story!I agree with the other review...such potential and such a loss!

LARGE PRINT, LARGE SPACES, NO SUBSTANCE!
I bought this book because a friend recommended it...I want my $.... back!I read it in 30 minutes...poor, poor, poor grammer and what could have been a very interesting story sadly told in a tiring way! ... Read more

Book Description

Shopping for Buddhas is Jeff Greenwald's story of his obsessive search for the perfect Buddha statue. In the backstreets of Kathmandu, he discovers more than he bargained for...and his souvenir-hunting turns into an ironic metaphor for the clash between spiritual riches and material greed. Politics, religion and serious shopping collide in this witty account of an enlightening visit to Nepal. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Spiritual materialism in Nepal
Jeff Greenwald takes us on a cosmic shopping trip around Nepal, looking for the perfect statue of Buddha. While he sometimes gets wrapped up in his own karma, he has a nice tongue-in-cheek attitude to his quest and is perfectly able to make fun of himself. If you're more interested in the travel side than the spritual, you could skim through the Buddhist history, though the descriptions thereof do give an accessible background to Greenwald's search. Even if your souvenir headaches have only extended to that perfect Balinese sarong, anyone can enjoy this tale of spiritual materialism. The final pre-departure encounter with a customs official is almost too perfect an ending to the quest- but I won't say any more about that!

Happy trails
I think travel, regardless of the country(ies) it might take you, is perhaps best approached with a touch of whimsy and a sense of adventure. Truly seasoned travelers have the ability and willingness to absorb another culture while laughing at both the experiences they face and at the preconceived notions they bring with them. I've just finished Shopping with Buddhas and Greenwald seems to be that kind of traveler.

I enjoyed this book because, among other things, it brought the colors of the subcontinent (where I grew up) to life. Greenwald spends most of the book in a near obsessive hunt for a perfect statue of the Buddha, only to find it when he is least expecting it and at a price he is hesitant to pay. Which, when you think about it, is an interesting reflection on how things of true value come to us when we least expect it, and ask of us a price we may not be willing to pay at first. I also like that Greenwald is unafraid to take whimsical potshots at his western outlook on many eastern situations! I grew up in the subcontinent and now live in the West, so I do exactly the same thing-in reverse!

An interesting read whether you are headed to the East or, like me, are a commuter dreaming of warmer climes!

I regret I bought this book!
If you look for adventure of some Californians in Nepal (and that could be in whatever other place in the world), buy this book. But if your intention is to have a glimpse of what Buddhism as well as Buddhist practioners are, there are dozens of books (that I have read myself and for sure hundreds of others I haven't read yet) that will give you that.
Unfortunately I started to read this book after the fantastic "The Quantum and The Lotus" (by Trinh Xuan Thuan and Matthieu Ricard), which make the reading of "Shopping for Buddhas" a very hard work, as what I was looking for was not adventures of Westerners in Nepal, but some content as well.
When I decided to buy this book I must confess that I didn't read the reviews. If I did that I wouldn't have bought it. So please, consider not only this review from me with "1 star", but also the other ones with higher amount of "stars" before you take your decision.

Got some good laughs
I bought this book while traveling through Thailand and undergoing my own quest for an acceptable Buddha (perfection was too high a standard). Yeah, the writer comes across as self-absorbed and arrogant, and he reminded me of fellow Westerners who had embarrassed me during my travels. However, this book was an entertaining read with situations that I could identify with. I needed an escape and some laughs after challenges encountered during travel in Asia, and this book gave those laughs to me. I wasn't expecting perfection from the writer, just entertainment.

Shopping for a personality
Reading this book was a collosal waste of time. Several times while reading this book, I felt the urge to punch Greenwald out and may have done so if he was nearby. The photograph on the inside cover explains everything; a self-indulgent Westerner leering covetously at a buddhist statue. That's as deep as the book gets. We get to see Westerners who think themselves enlightened and deepened by Eastern mysticism who are instead still driven by the desire to own things, hang out with fellow Westerners in Western-only establishments and treat the local people with bemused condenscension and neo-colonialism yet believe that their shallow understanding of the local religion and culture has put them on a higher spiritual plain. Greenwald bemoans the disappearance of religious artifacts from Nepal but somehow doesn't realize that his own selfish quest for a buddha statue (a good investment, he notes)is part and parcel of this process. I hope he has gotten over his bad hashish trip that is offered at the end of the book as some bizarre spiritual awakening and realizes that the buddha sitting on his shelf may add an anectdote or two to his conversation but does nothing to make him a good writer or an interesting personality. ... Read more