Product Description
From the teachings of the early masters to the growth of the tradition in the West, this authoritative new reference tool contains over 900 entries supplying information on all the key doctrines, practices, and figures central to Buddhism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

short but thorough
This is an impressive pocket resource for Buddhism.Unlike some earlier reviewers, I did read it from cover to cover, and am very impressed.Powers' explanations of basic Buddhist concepts is very clear and straightforward.Of course in a work like this he had to be selective, but the range of entries is staggering, with good choices of what to include as most representative/interesting.He covers all the main Buddhist traditions, including modern western Buddhist movements.My only complaints are that he puts disproportionate stress on the twentieth century and on Tibetan Buddhism.His coverage of southeast Asia and Sri Lanka is very light.But it's definitely a VERY good reference work for anyone interested in Buddhism.

Michael McCormack stupid and lazy.
Michael McCormack, Your review of this book shows your ignorance. You state the author needs more research yet you admit you did not even read the entire book! This review shows you are both stupid and lazy. I found it had impressive coverage for a book this size. You should stick to watching those Buffy The Vampire Slayer reruns You love so much. That is obviously your intellectual level!

A very handy reference tool
I found this an exceptionally reliable and useful one volume reference book for my studies. For its size, it has an impressive coverage of terms, history etc. It is also affordable. I highly recommend it.

A Little Research Would Go A Long Way
I picked this book up in the bookstore and read the selections dealing with Nichiren Buddhism. They focus entirely on Soka Gakka and the Nichiren Shoshu as if they were the only two schools of Nichiren Buddhism. The book does not even mention the mainstream school of Nichiren Buddhism in Japan, the Nichiren Shu, or the other legitimate Nichiren Buddhist sects like the Kempon Hokke Shu, the Honmon Butsuryu Shu or others. It does not mention that in Japan the Soka Gakkai is regarded as a cult, and the Nichiren Shoshu is a very tiny fringe sect that is not really regarded as Buddhist even by the mainstream Nichiren groups. The discussions of the Gohonzon and Odaimoku are likewise very shallow and do not hint at the deep spirituality of Nichiren Buddhism. As one of the first ministers-in-training with the Nichiren Shu, I was very disappointed to see this. John Powers needs to talk to Professor Jacqueline Stone of Princeton U. before he writes another word about Nichiren Buddhism. If the other entries of this volume show the same lack of research and care then this book deserves negative stars. I will leave that for members of other schools of Buddhism to decide. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (7)

Second series not availlable
It is not decent to review D.T.Suzuky, the major authority in Buddhism in the west.
Nobody helped more than he did the introduction of buddhism in our culture. Nobody comes close to him, before and after his writtings. (some close 100 years old)
It is only a shame the SECOND series of the "Essays in Zen Buddhism" is not available for a long time.
The first series is available but hard to find.

Essential accessible yet erudite essays on zen
I studied Buddhist philosophy in some detail as an undergraduate, but that was many years ago. I am revisiting it now, so I turned to the writings of D.T Suzuki, perhaps the most widely respected author in this field, both for his erudition (knowledge of all the primary texts in their original languages from origins in India, through China and Japan) and his accessibility to the layperson. This is something of an amazing feat, given the subtleties involved in explaining Zen, a formidable exercise in itself, given that the entire philosophy is based on enigmatic sayings/practices employed by masters approaching their students.

Suzuki was the first to truly explain Zen Buddhism to the Western world and it is a must read for anyone who seeks the root understanding of the subject.

I give it the highest recommendation.

The truth is in the midst of us...
This brilliant book by Suzuki has changed my life.Several times reading it I felt that I had experienced a small degree on satori or enlightenment.Heaven and earth should be experienced as one.The truth is in the present moment inside me.

Just Zen Bouddhism
I've read the complete collection in the french translation.
Among other searches on the subject i found D.T.Suzuki who writes the real thing just quietly in a serious and serene way, no explanations no propaganda .
It helped me deffinetly entering through Zen into Awereness simply feeling one together.
The way is not fast it takes the time it takes.

Ana Ribeiro Santos

A classic, engaging introduction to Zen
More than any other known source, this series of essays (including the other two companion volumes) have probably done the most to put Zen 'on the map' - in the Western world. In some quarters - at least, it has become fashionable to regard D.T. Suzuki as 'passe' - a bridge builder, whose work has now reached its 'sell-by' date. While I can see why some people might feel that way - if training with a Roshi, or tired of 'reading too much' - Suzuki's 'essays' continue to have relevance for people making their first dip into the world of Zen.

In one sense, you could say that Suzuki wants to say too much, and the 'purists' may fault him for it. But he was good at his job - and knew exactly how to write about such things for a Western audience, saying enough to entice them and whet their appetite, then drop them in at the deep end! His way of doing this was lively and engaging. Suzuki was a good communicator (he had an American wife, which certainly helped. Beatrice Lane Suzuki was an accomplished student of Buddhism in her own right) - and, in some respects, Suzuki was more successful than some of the roshis teaching in the West. He wasn't trying to sell you an institution, but pointing to the 'treasure house' we must all find, for ourselves.

One thing is worth noting about Suzuki's 'essays.' For the most part, the anecdotes he has presented were taken from the T'ang masters in the Dentoroku (Chuan Teng Lu). You get a pretty fair spread of teaching-examples, and they are not all from masters in the Rinzai (Lin-chi) lineage. In the T'ang, there was no such sharp division between the Zen schools and in that sense, Suzuki's account has a freshness about it.

Suzuki will not bog you down with laboured academic digressions. He was rather slap-dash about footnotes - and as such, you get the very 'marrow' of Zen teaching. Suzuki had his foibles - but, he remains the 'grand old man of Zen' who whetted our appetite. These essays have life in them yet! Digest Suzuki. You wont regret it! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (7)

Second series not availlable
It is not decent to review D.T.Suzuky, the major authority in Buddhism in the west.
Nobody helped more than he did the introduction of buddhism in our culture. Nobody comes close to him, before and after his writtings. (some close 100 years old)
It is only a shame the SECOND series of the "Essays in Zen Buddhism" is not available for a long time.
The first series is available but hard to find.

Essential accessible yet erudite essays on zen
I studied Buddhist philosophy in some detail as an undergraduate, but that was many years ago. I am revisiting it now, so I turned to the writings of D.T Suzuki, perhaps the most widely respected author in this field, both for his erudition (knowledge of all the primary texts in their original languages from origins in India, through China and Japan) and his accessibility to the layperson. This is something of an amazing feat, given the subtleties involved in explaining Zen, a formidable exercise in itself, given that the entire philosophy is based on enigmatic sayings/practices employed by masters approaching their students.

Suzuki was the first to truly explain Zen Buddhism to the Western world and it is a must read for anyone who seeks the root understanding of the subject.

I give it the highest recommendation.

The truth is in the midst of us...
This brilliant book by Suzuki has changed my life.Several times reading it I felt that I had experienced a small degree on satori or enlightenment.Heaven and earth should be experienced as one.The truth is in the present moment inside me.

Just Zen Bouddhism
I've read the complete collection in the french translation.
Among other searches on the subject i found D.T.Suzuki who writes the real thing just quietly in a serious and serene way, no explanations no propaganda .
It helped me deffinetly entering through Zen into Awereness simply feeling one together.
The way is not fast it takes the time it takes.

Ana Ribeiro Santos

A classic, engaging introduction to Zen
More than any other known source, this series of essays (including the other two companion volumes) have probably done the most to put Zen 'on the map' - in the Western world. In some quarters - at least, it has become fashionable to regard D.T. Suzuki as 'passe' - a bridge builder, whose work has now reached its 'sell-by' date. While I can see why some people might feel that way - if training with a Roshi, or tired of 'reading too much' - Suzuki's 'essays' continue to have relevance for people making their first dip into the world of Zen.

In one sense, you could say that Suzuki wants to say too much, and the 'purists' may fault him for it. But he was good at his job - and knew exactly how to write about such things for a Western audience, saying enough to entice them and whet their appetite, then drop them in at the deep end! His way of doing this was lively and engaging. Suzuki was a good communicator (he had an American wife, which certainly helped. Beatrice Lane Suzuki was an accomplished student of Buddhism in her own right) - and, in some respects, Suzuki was more successful than some of the roshis teaching in the West. He wasn't trying to sell you an institution, but pointing to the 'treasure house' we must all find, for ourselves.

One thing is worth noting about Suzuki's 'essays.' For the most part, the anecdotes he has presented were taken from the T'ang masters in the Dentoroku (Chuan Teng Lu). You get a pretty fair spread of teaching-examples, and they are not all from masters in the Rinzai (Lin-chi) lineage. In the T'ang, there was no such sharp division between the Zen schools and in that sense, Suzuki's account has a freshness about it.

Suzuki will not bog you down with laboured academic digressions. He was rather slap-dash about footnotes - and as such, you get the very 'marrow' of Zen teaching. Suzuki had his foibles - but, he remains the 'grand old man of Zen' who whetted our appetite. These essays have life in them yet! Digest Suzuki. You wont regret it! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (7)

Second series not availlable
It is not decent to review D.T.Suzuky, the major authority in Buddhism in the west.
Nobody helped more than he did the introduction of buddhism in our culture. Nobody comes close to him, before and after his writtings. (some close 100 years old)
It is only a shame the SECOND series of the "Essays in Zen Buddhism" is not available for a long time.
The first series is available but hard to find.

Essential accessible yet erudite essays on zen
I studied Buddhist philosophy in some detail as an undergraduate, but that was many years ago. I am revisiting it now, so I turned to the writings of D.T Suzuki, perhaps the most widely respected author in this field, both for his erudition (knowledge of all the primary texts in their original languages from origins in India, through China and Japan) and his accessibility to the layperson. This is something of an amazing feat, given the subtleties involved in explaining Zen, a formidable exercise in itself, given that the entire philosophy is based on enigmatic sayings/practices employed by masters approaching their students.

Suzuki was the first to truly explain Zen Buddhism to the Western world and it is a must read for anyone who seeks the root understanding of the subject.

I give it the highest recommendation.

The truth is in the midst of us...
This brilliant book by Suzuki has changed my life.Several times reading it I felt that I had experienced a small degree on satori or enlightenment.Heaven and earth should be experienced as one.The truth is in the present moment inside me.

Just Zen Bouddhism
I've read the complete collection in the french translation.
Among other searches on the subject i found D.T.Suzuki who writes the real thing just quietly in a serious and serene way, no explanations no propaganda .
It helped me deffinetly entering through Zen into Awereness simply feeling one together.
The way is not fast it takes the time it takes.

Ana Ribeiro Santos

A classic, engaging introduction to Zen
More than any other known source, this series of essays (including the other two companion volumes) have probably done the most to put Zen 'on the map' - in the Western world. In some quarters - at least, it has become fashionable to regard D.T. Suzuki as 'passe' - a bridge builder, whose work has now reached its 'sell-by' date. While I can see why some people might feel that way - if training with a Roshi, or tired of 'reading too much' - Suzuki's 'essays' continue to have relevance for people making their first dip into the world of Zen.

In one sense, you could say that Suzuki wants to say too much, and the 'purists' may fault him for it. But he was good at his job - and knew exactly how to write about such things for a Western audience, saying enough to entice them and whet their appetite, then drop them in at the deep end! His way of doing this was lively and engaging. Suzuki was a good communicator (he had an American wife, which certainly helped. Beatrice Lane Suzuki was an accomplished student of Buddhism in her own right) - and, in some respects, Suzuki was more successful than some of the roshis teaching in the West. He wasn't trying to sell you an institution, but pointing to the 'treasure house' we must all find, for ourselves.

One thing is worth noting about Suzuki's 'essays.' For the most part, the anecdotes he has presented were taken from the T'ang masters in the Dentoroku (Chuan Teng Lu). You get a pretty fair spread of teaching-examples, and they are not all from masters in the Rinzai (Lin-chi) lineage. In the T'ang, there was no such sharp division between the Zen schools and in that sense, Suzuki's account has a freshness about it.

Suzuki will not bog you down with laboured academic digressions. He was rather slap-dash about footnotes - and as such, you get the very 'marrow' of Zen teaching. Suzuki had his foibles - but, he remains the 'grand old man of Zen' who whetted our appetite. These essays have life in them yet! Digest Suzuki. You wont regret it! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Lost in the world of Buddhism
"The World of Buddhism", edited by Heinz Brechert and Richard Gombrich, is an excellent scholarly anthology. It deals with the teachings, historical development and contemporary practice of Buddhism, the first world religion. The book is primarily intended for students of comparative religion. With some effort, it could also be read by the general reader.

The book says relatively little about the original teachings of the Buddha (only one chapter) and almost nothing about Buddhist philosophy. Instead, the emphasis is on the history and current practice of Buddhism. There are extensive chapters on Nepal, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand and Japan. It turns out that Buddhism has changed in often bewildering ways, which makes you wonder how much of the original teaching really remains. Thus, Buddhist monks in many nations are involved in social work or political activism, something prohibited by the monastic rules. In some nations, certain forms of Buddhism have become laicized. Virtually everywhere, Buddhism has been combined with other religions, including Hinduism, Shintoism or local spirit cults. Tibetan Buddhism in particular is very different from the original form. Yet, Tibetan Buddhism is easily the most well known form of Buddhism in the West!

The book ends with a relatively short chapter on Buddhist modernism and the spread of Buddhism in the United States and Western Europe. Apparently, neither Alan Watts nor Herman Hesse were Buddhist enough for the authors, who express strong disagreement with the first and don't even mention the second. (Isn't Alan the man anymore?) Yet, Watts, Hesse and perhaps Winnie the Pooh are probably the closest thing most Westerners have come to Buddhism, save the Tibetan Book of the Dead. A more comprehensive chapter on "really existing" Western Buddhism (warts and all) would have been better. Interestingly, the book doesn't criticize D.T. Suzuki.

Still, I recommend "The World of Buddhism" to everyone seriously interested in this religion and its practices. Without this book, you would probably feel lost in this strange and wonderful world!

An excellent and authoritative set of essays.
This is a wonderful book. It's a rare combination of authoritative scholarship, readability and beautiful presentation. The book is lavishly illustrated with color photos of Buddhist sculpture, historic sites, paintings and much more. But this is really only the beginning of this book's merits, for the most attractive feature of the book is probably its ability to give the reader the best available "big picture" of Buddhism - in all its fantastic variety - in such a condensed and attractive format. This is not at all to imply that the content is at all superficial in any significant way. Yes, it's true that an 18-page chapter on Tibetan Buddhism can't cover everything but the book does such a wonderful job of weaving together the pertinent material on the subject in such an enjoyably dense and lucid manner that you come away with a surprisingly complex understanding of the subject. It's true that the book is a little out-dated, much great scholarship has been done since the book was published some 23 years ago, but this isn't something anyone but a specialist should be terribly worried about - and even for that group the book stills remains very valuable. Again, this is a fantastic place to "start" one's studies of Buddhism - and that's really what's at issue with a book of this type. The further reading that this volume will almost undoubtedly provoke will fill in the gaps and render more complex the picture this book provides. No book is perfect, but this book's merits vastly outweigh its flaws.Simply put - a must have for anyone interested in Buddhism, especially in an academic sense.

Even more than one expects ...
Aha!I'm always looking for a bargain, and The World of Buddhism is probably as close as I have come.True to the cliche that books cannot be judged by their covers, this large, handsomely produced volume actuallydelivers more than one expects -- and in many more ways.Miraculously, itscost is significantly less than its ample size and elegant format couldprobably justify.

I was first attracted to World of Buddhism's manystriking pictures and detailed drawings, maps and illustrations.They turnout to have been chosen with exceptional care and sensitivity to thesubject, not simply to entertain the casual browser.Some of the resultingimages are stunning, greatly enhance the text, and make a powerfulimpression on the eye, the mind and the spirit.

I also happen to bedeeply interested in Buddhism and everything about it.This book hasproven to be nearly encyclopedic in scope, pays due heed to all sorts ofdifferent schools, sects, denominations and traditions within Buddhism, andcan basically be relied on as a comparatively comprehensive survey of thetopic.I frequently consult its index and glossary.

Best of all, thoughbooks which purport to survey such a broad range of ideas -- and especiallythose with such sensational illustrations -- sometimes contain onlysuperficial, inaccurate or misleading texts, this is totally untrue ofWorld of Buddhism.Its panel of contributors consists of outstandingscholars and Buddhologists from all over the world.Indeed some of them(in particular Richard Gombrich and Etienne Lamotte) are (or have been)among the foremost authorities in the field.Fortunately all of themmanage to write interesting, engaging prose, though it often coversrelatively complex technical topics, and is sometimes intricately detailed. Though not necessarily for the specialist, this book is certainly one tobe considered by those who may be fairly new to the subject and want anintroduction, or even by someone reasonably conversant with Buddhism but insearch of new ideas and insights.

Naturally, as the Buddha himself nevertired of pointing out, nothing is perfect.There are some limitations,even to a book as satisfying as this one.Thus be aware that its scope andfocus is less adequately conveyed by its title, "The World ofBuddhism," than by its subtitle, "Buddhist Monks and Nuns inSociety and Culture."The reader must accept going in that this bookpays foremost attention to the Sangha, which is to say the formallystructured Buddhist clergy.There are many reasons for this, including theextraordinary longevity of this unique institution, plus its inherentinterest and fascination.However probably the most important reason isthat, as Bechert explains, "It is primarily the Sangha that hastransmitted the Buddha's words and maintained the tradition of meditationand thus ensured that future generations ... can be shown the way torelease from the world."In any event I find that this focus in noway seems constricting, and that in practice it often facilitates thereader's making many useful conparisons between widely varying historicalperiods, countries and kinds of Buddhism.

Finally, as much as I like andrespect this book, I think it is only fair to point out that, in severalsignificant ways, it is rather dated.It was, after all, first publishedin 1984 (though again this may not have terribly great relevance to thegeneral reader).Buddhism is ancient and has always done its best toresist change -- but most of the good scholarly research concerning it isof fairly recent vintage, with some of the most dramatic findings havingcome to light only within the last ten or twelve years.The specialist isaware that people such as Gregory Schopen have, in just this last decade,added brilliantly to our understanding of Buddhist origins and earlypractices, and certainly the nature of Buddhist monasticism.Howeverlittle or none of that modern work is reviewed or cited in the presentbook, apparently because it was unavailable at the time it was beingcompiled.It goes without saying that the concluding chapter entitled"Buddhist revival in East and West," while interesting andinformative, reports details and trends which at this point are no longerquite accurate nor reflective of what is actually going on with Buddhismthroughout the world today.

It is also my impression that, for somereason, the authors occasionally gravitate unnecessarily towards oldersources, translations, etc., even when fresher material was available. Thus, when dealing with ancient India, Gombrich chooses to quote lengthypassages from the famous and beautiful Dhammapada and the Sutta-Nipata, butselects some of the earliest English translations (dating to 1881), whichnot only sound archaic, but had already been superceded by more recent andfar more definitive translations by the time the present book was being puttogether.Similarly, World of Buddhism's annotated bibliography, whileboth extensive and useful, omits many recent, highly relevantworks.

Compelled to describe both the strengths and weaknesses of thisvaluable book, I hasten in closing to predict that most readers willeagerly relish it for all that it is, and readily forgive it for whatlittle it is not.One of its lesser, but very real, charms is that itsmany picutures present a fairly unique selection of good Buddhist art andarchitecture, making them the sort of place you want your mind to wanderthrough, over and over again, on quiet, contemplative afternoons. ... Read more

Product Description
Exploring a new religion is no easy task.That’s why the Simple series is so popular—these delightful books take readers by the hand and lead them into the basics of an Eastern faith without intimidation or confusion.Simple Buddhism, invites readers to discover this appealing religion and its peaceful doctrines, as well as:
* The history of Buddhism
* The themes of Buddhism (The Four Noble Truths, The Eightfold Path, Nirvana, and Nirvana, and more)
* How to apply Buddhism in your everyday life
* The ultimate thesis of Buddhism: to live in the moment, see things as they truly are, and recognize yourself as part of the whole ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

greatest introduction for westerners
I had learned before that the path of happiness wasnt exactly the same as the path of a specific goal, and that attachment to goals can cause trouble when multiple goals contradict, and arent seen clearly. From here, I was in a unique position to see how the mind sets up dualities, gets caught up in specifics, and suffers, as this book taught.Two weeks after starting this book, reading the phrase "no-mind" i realised that we naturally, when mindful, gravitate to wisdoms' way, and that there is no need for suffering, only to acknowledge pains purpose.This book is systematic, non-mystical in its communication, using scientific and psychological frameworks to show why the mind feels pain, and why when clung to suffers.Since this book shows the key principles in the different methods of enlightment, i believe this book to be a better starting point then say a zen book, or a tantric or faith based book, though all these are good when the general notions of buddhism are understood.

Just what a newbie needs
This is a clear and effective guide to Buddhism 101 but much less wordy or unserious as a "Dummies"-type guide. The first part is about the history of Buddhism, which isn't the most interesting thing I ever read, but was informative. Part 2 is about basic Buddhist themes, such as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. Part 3 is about putting Buddhism into practice in one's daily life and is very practical and patient.

If you're already at the intermediate level with Buddhism, this will be too simple for you. But if you've only learned meditation or had a general idea about Buddhism, this is very enlightening and concise.

A Well Presented and Inspiring Guide to Buddhism
This book offers a great introduction to Buddhism. It puts it in context with a clear history and interesting review of sutras. The themes give you a good sense of what Buddhism deals with. The third section is a very easy to follow guide to get you started. Buddhism can get you in touch with yourself and your life, to wake up! This book beautifully introduces the reader to these important ideas and methods as it also guides in applying them to life. I have read all the other books by the Simpkins in this series and found each one useful. I am looking forward to their new release, Buddhism in Ten: Easy Lessons for Spiritual Growth.

An accessible introduction to Buddhist thought
This accessible introduction to Buddhist thought and practices shows readers both how the mindful life is lived and how they can use these revered principles to promote harmony in their own lives. In addition to cornerstones such as the Four Noble Truths, the authors include meditation exercises for filling and clearing the mind, transcending negative experience, resolving conflict, and achieving inner balance.

historical perspective and aguide to enjoying life
"Simple Buddhism" starts with a brief history of Buddhism and gives readers a perspective of the various philosophies that have evolved from the roots of Buddhism. More importantly it a useful guide to getting enjoyment out of every day life. It provides a framework for thinking, feeling, and coping with our world as well as a "how-to" primer on meditation. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (6)

Great and clear exposition
If you want to own one concise book covering the history of the Buddhist lineages, this is the one. It is as accurate as it gets, even where other authors get it all wrong (covering Tibetan Buddhism for example). Beautiful work!

A Real Goldmine
I was assigned this book for a course on Buddhism, and it was meant to be the more academic reading assigned. However, the book is well-written, few sentences wasted and every paragraph solid information. In fact, I understood Buddhism from a scholarly perspective, far away from the romanticised, enlightened account of spiritually-starved young ones. A true endeavor to study Buddhism as a religion, historically and doctrinally, is manifest here.

For example, the author provides an important overview of the state of India and Indian religion during Buddha's time, as well as an understanding of the languages used in that time. An etymological explanation of important terms is an extra treat for those interested-- words mean things. For example, the three sources of Buddhist knowledge are known as the "tripitaka"-- The Three Baskets. But the term is also a play on the Sanskrit for "pita", father. So another reading of "tripitaka" is "three from the father"-- Buddha.

Something else I enjoyed was the comparison between Buddhism and Hinduism. Those spiritually-starved Westerners idealize the dharmic religions are non-dogmatic, holistic, enlightened, above the fold... when Skilton shows in fact most of Buddhism's doctrines were direct refutations of Hindu doctrine at the time. For example, one of Buddha's most famous aphorisms is that there is no self... whereas Hinduism describes an atma (soul) that is at the essence of our being. Skilton lists several other points of contention between the two.

One thing I disagreed with was Skilton's harsh attitude toward Islam. Skilton almost defines the history of Muslims in India as an imperialist conquest that pillaged the natives, and brought about the end of Buddhism in India. Although this is reserved for the last chapter, and not an underlying theme which leaves the rest of his scholarship intact, one would assume Skilton has an anti-Muslim bias.

Van Horn is quite mistaken
In Mr. Van Horn's reader review, he uses a "quote" which is nowhere to be found in the book. This is what Skilton actually says (pgs 67-68) about the brahma-viharas in the Theravadin tradition:

"The Theravadin School developed a rather austere orthodoxy, epitomized in the works of the 5th century scholastic Buddhagohosa, especially in his Visuddhi-magga, which on a theoretical level tends to exclude doctrines and practices incompatible with its preferred preoccupations. An example of this exclusion might be the meditational practices called the brahma-viharas, which in its Abhidamma and commentarial literature are relegated to an ancillary function only, whereas its own canon records instances which substantially refute this role. Canonical passages frequently contain editorial additions "demoting" the brahma-viharas but, where parallel texts survive from the Mahasanghika canon, it is interesting to note that the latter did not feel any need to qualify such practices in that way."

As you can see, Mr. Van Horn's characterization of this point is entirely incorrect, as is his assessment of the book on the whole. One wishes he would have asked himself why Skilton, a longtime Theravadin practitioner himself, would want to write a piece of "Mahayanist propaganda."

In fact, Skilton's book is a commendably thorough, superbly written, extensively footnoted overview of the subject, with a firm grasp of the issues at hand. I could not recommend it more highly.

A very useful short history
Since its founding around 25 centuries ago, Buddhism has spread widely and diversified into numerous schools of thought and practice. Summarizing this long history and describing succinctly the many schools of Buddhism is not easy. Yet Andrew Skilton has accomplished this feat with apparent ease. And making something look easy is the hardest task any scholar can face.

I was astonished to see that one reviewer has claimed that this book is "Mahayana propaganda" based on a single reference. As I read it, I found Skilton's work to be very even-handed in discussing Mahayana and Theravada, without any proseletyzing or obvious mispresentation regarding either of these major schools of Buddhism. Skilton is disapassionate and fairminded, summing up history and doctrines with economy and precision. If there are errors in the book, I believe that they are minor and certainly unintentional.

I recommend this book highly.

Mahayana Propaganda
I have a great respect for books, and I have at least as much respect for the Buddha Dharma, so it shocks even me to say that in my entire life I have only thrown away one book - and I mean into the trash - and this is it. One of the dark aspects of Buddhism is the pejorative way in which the Mahayanna traditions of Buddhism - Zen and Tibetan Buddhism - treat their Theravadan brothers. This book is full of just such treatment. For example, at one point in the book, the author states that one school of Theravadan Buddhism emphasized the four "Brahma Viharas" (the "noble qualities" of loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity), even though - as he puts it - "there is no canonical evidence to support such a practice." This is simply not true. The Pali Sutthas are full of discourses on the Brahma Viharas. At one point they state that in a previous lifetime, the Buddha "became one with Brahma" by practicing the Brahma Viharas. This is just one modest example of the completely misleading way in which this book is written, and it doesn't begin to capture the negative tone it has toward Theravadan Buddhism. If you want to learn Buddhist history, do not read this book. It will give you a completely misguided impression of what that history really is. It is primarily Mahayana propaganda. ... Read more

Product Description
Dharma Gaia explores the ground where Buddhism and ecology meet, with writings by over twenty-five Buddhists and ecologists. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A wide range of views for not just Buddhists
Badiner, ed., Dharma Gaia: A Harvest of Essays in Buddhism and Ecology, Berkeley, Parallax Press, 1990.
265 pages, $18.00
ISBN: 0938077309

More a collection of meditations or prose poems than essays, this book contains a wide range of short pieces from prominent writers and practitioners in the fields of Buddhism (Thich Nhat Hanh and Robert Aitken, for example), East Asian philosophy and religion (Padmasiri De Silva and Joanna Macy), and the environmental and ecology movements (Bill Devall and John Seed). There are even selections from the Beat poets who introduced Buddhist ideas into the pop culture of the mid-twentieth century, Gary Snyder and Allen Ginsberg.

Some titles of a few essays will provide a good indication of the nature of the contents: "Orphism: the Ancient Roots of Green Buddhism;" "The Perceptual Implications of Gaia;" "Rock Body Tree Limb;" "Animal Dharma;" "Women and Ecocentricity;" "Earth Gathas;" "Haiku & the Ecotastrophe."

As a whole the collection is a little dated only in that one might wonder how recent developments such as acts of global terrorism and the now confirmed understanding of the dire effects of human activity on climate are viewed in the Buddhist ecological context. Otherwise, all the readings are superlative. Care of the earth is a long-established precept among Buddhists; Dharma Gaia offers enlightenment not just to Buddhists but also to anyone of any faith interested in the spiritual ground for environmental awareness. Suzanne Head, one of the contributors, prays that "other human beings of this planet would also find the confidence, courage and integrity to honor inner Nature and outer Nature.... Realizing the sacredness of the Earth that supports us and the sky that inspires us,...we would find ways to live that could be sustained by the biosphere. Instead of poisoning and plundering the Earth until all life expires, we could fulfill our Nature by being warriors for the Earth."

for every thinking person and those who wish to be
Everyone I've recommended this book to has loved it.It will either be an introduction of new ideas that are pleasant to think about or a conformation of thoughts the reader already has worded in a way that makes them more accessable.The list of writers contains many sparkling souls.Anyone can read this without being offended, and everyone should read it at least once.

Fabulous, it will expand your mind
The book's premise is that buddhism is the perfect religion for an eco-centric based society & culture. It does very well in proving the compatibility and similarities between buddhism & ecology. The sectionon shifting views of perception is highly enlightening. The variety in thisbook is amazing, there are over 30 contributors. Books like this one, inwhich the book is merely a collection of essays on the same topic are greatbecause you can read it in one sitting, or read an essay at a time. As youfinish the last essay of the book, you will never see Smokey the Bear inthe same light again, now there's a teaser!. But seriously folks, this bookis great.

Well written, insightful, thought provoking
Dharma Gaia is a collection of essays offering different perspectives on human/Gaia interaction. These perspectives tie in with Buddhist philosophies to offer readers a sane and well reasoned spiritual approachto ecology. Short introduction by the Dalai Lama, essays and some poetry.

An excellent and original read
Overall, this is an easy read which addresses some complex issues.By the end of the book I developed a greater understanding of both environmental conservation and buddhism.Too many books jump on the"buddha-chic" or "eco-cool" bandwagon, but offer littlemore than a rehash of general facts - this isn't one of them. ... Read more

Product Description
The Hwa Yen school of Mahayana Buddhism bloomed in China in the 7th and 8th centuries A.D. Today many scholars regard its doctrines of Emptiness, Totality, and Mind-Only as the crown of Buddhist thought and as a useful and unique philosophical system and explanation of man, world, and life as intuitively experienced in Zen practice.For the first time in any Western language Garma Chang explains and exemplifies these doctrines with references to both oriental masters and Western philosophers. The Buddha's mystical experience of infinity and totality provides the framework for this objective revelation of the three pervasive and interlocking concepts upon which any study of Mahayana philosophy must depend. Following an introductory section describing the essential differences between Judeo-Christian and Buddhist philosophy, Professor Chang provides an extensive, expertly developed section on the philosophical foundations of Hwa Yen Buddhism dealing with the core concept of True Voidness, the philosophy of Totality, and the doctrine of Mind-Only. A concluding section includes selections of Hwa Yen readings and biographies of the patriarchs, as well as a glossary and list of Chinese terms. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A justifiably classic "Classic."
Chang has done something really important and necessary in writing this concise and comprehensible overview of Hwa-Yen philosophy. I'd recommend this to any student who wishes to cultivate a deeper understanding of the Avatamsaka Sutra and the elements of Mahayana thought that culminates in Hwa-Yen.

Don't skip this one...
The first reviewer says skip this and go to Thomas Cleary.I would assume that means "Entry into the Inconceivable".I have both actually, and I like "The Buddhist Teaching of Totality" better.

To me, the Cleary approach seems to be just to pick you up and dump you right into the middle of things.By page 24, you're already into the four dharmadatu's.These are very subtle concepts that require serious preparation to understand deeply.They may be interesting doctrines if you're into that kind of thing, but I personally like to see how all the pieces fit together.In that sense, I'm totally lost.The Garma Chang book covers a lot more basics before going into the heavy stuff.The pace may be slower, but in the end, I have a much clearer picture.And after that, the Cleary book becomes much more palatable.

Another reviewer mentioned that Garma Chang seems to think he knows everything.I don't know, but from the writing, it's clear that he has a great deal of personal experience on the subject at hand.His discussion on emptyness, for example, is particularly subtle and insightful.Thomas Cleary, on the other hand, doesn't seem to show much opinion of his own.Much of the "Entry into the Inconceivable" text is translated from Chinese works.Same goes for his translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra itself as well.Even the introduction is paraphrasing of Chinese text.Not that translation is not useful of course...

A bonus included in the Garma Chang book is an almost complete translation of "The Great Vows of Samantabhadra".It is important because it's supposed to give one a good feel for what the complete Avatamsaka is like.It is the last part of the Forty Hwa Yen and is often treated as a separate sutra on its own.(It's also classified as one of the Five Sutras of Pure Land)And it's not in Cleary's English translation of Avatamsaka Sutra, which is strictly a translation of Eighty Hwa Yen.

In any case, I'd probably get both books.They serve different purposes.Seems to me that the person who says to skip this one is treating the meaning of the books as self-existent and real and therefore their relative merit should be completely self-evident.We all know that is not true right?

Good Intro, though sectarian
The Hwa Yen school, which drew chiefly from the Avatamsaka Sutra (translated by Cleary), emphasizes Dharma from the perspective of realization, or enlightened mind.Like the Lotus Sutra, The Avatamsaka Sutra is equally an evocation of a state of mind as a presentation of information.The Hwa Yen thinkers of Sung China used this as their starting point to paint a dazzling portrait of our universe filled with mind-blowing images and rich ideas.

This is a pretty good introduction to Hwa Yen Buddhism, although the reader will have to wade through a fair amount of unapologetic sectarianism.Hwa Yen, we learn, is the "highest" and "most advanced" form of Buddhism, and Chang clearly considers himself to have full knowledge of what Buddha "really meant" in his teachings.Despite this sometimes tedious lack of modesty, the book is a good overview of the history and doctrine of this school.Given the unfortunate paucity of material on this intriguing movement, that is a welcome addition.

An authoritative study by an experienced Buddhist
For an easy ride, visit Disneyland. C.C. Chang's study of the Hua Yen is a demanding work, because it presuposes that the reader wishes to find such insight - through practice. The Hua Yen Ching is said to have been expounded immediately after the Buddha's own enlightenment. It is one of the few sutras that actually endeavour to hint about the enlightened state itself- positively, rather than obliquely, by referring to it in relation to what it is not (viz. asrava, klesa defilements, trsna, dualism) - the 'neither-nor' aspect. Hua Yen deals with the 'mutually inclusive' dimension(s) of totality. Beware! Too many Western writings on Hua Yen (Kegon) jump straight into shih-shih wu ai - the 'non-obstruction between thing-events.' But actually, without insight into li-shih wu ai, seeing 'form' as grounded in the kung or 'void' aspect, nobody knows anything about shih-shih wu ai. C.C. Chang had the best Chinese and Tibetan teachers. He writes with authority - because he writes with eperiential insight into what the Hua Yen teaches. I've savoured Chang's work for 25 years, yet it remnains as inspiring and stimulating, as the day I first saw it. A lifelong study this. Find the meaning in your own experience. Candy is for the kids! ... Read more

Product Description
This lavishly-illustrated overview offers a clear introduction to Buddhism as a way of life, empnasizing the Tibetan, Zen, and Theravadan traditions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Illustrated Encyclopedia of Buddhist Wisdom
Excellent job of breaking down the history and making sense of Buddhism. Nice and easy way to understand the development and key factors which make up Buddhism as a lifestyle.

Wisom plus more
Having just returned from Bhutan, I wanted a text that would be informative and have pictures that would peek the interest of my grandchildren. I found both in this book.

A peaceful path
`The only way we can find peace in our own hearts is by changing ourselves, not by changing the world.' - Ayya Khema

During the 1960s, Western culture went through an upheaval in many respects, not the least of which was in the questioning of long-held traditional religious patterns. This was done to an extent perhaps not seen since the Reformation, where people were not looking for adjustments and modifications to their own patterns of belief and practice as much as they were looking for radically different ways of doing things. One of the typical patterns of change was an exploration of Eastern religions. In this exploration, one encounters non-religions (that had great appeal for those also questioning 'establishments' of any kind), non-hierarchies, and a radical difference from Western norms. At least, that is what a superficial exploration grants the seeker. One such object of interest was Buddhism.

Buddhism is, in its post-60s existence, one of the fastest-growing religions in the West. Schools and meditation centres exist in all major cities in Europe and America. For those who seek the substance of the faith, there is much that is attractive. For those who stay the course and plumb the depths of the faith, many find traditions and beliefs that at their base are in many ways compatible for the faiths from which they were fleeing.

This book, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Buddhist Wisdom, subtitled A Complete Introduction to the Principles and Practices of Buddhism, presents in a clear and accessible pattern the key beliefs, practices, and historical events of Buddhism with particular emphasis on relevance to modern Western understanding.

One cannot pick up the book but be impressed with the artistic and photographic polish of the book. Each page is well designed and illustrated, with images and concepts and written words supporting each other. This is important for a complex topic such as Buddhism.`When someone becomes interested in Buddhism the obvious question that arises is, "What is Buddhism?" The answer is not so obvious, however, and even experienced Buddhists continue to contemplate this question.'

Buddhism consists less of doctrines and dogmatic/philosophical concepts (as many Western religions are founded upon, or at least largely developed from) and more of a practice and incorporation of certain principles into life. The teachings of the Buddha, Siddharta Gautama, who lived approximately 500 B.C.E., are not meant to be studied as much as practiced. Farrer-Halls gives a very brief introduction to the life of the Buddha and presents the basic concepts of the Buddha -- the Four Noble Truths -- in the introduction.

These Four Noble Truths are:

1. The existence of suffering -- suffering, however, is a difficult word. The Pali word dukkha can mean 'anguish' or 'dissatisfaction', as well as a number of other possibilities. This ends up being a realistic view on life, rather more pragmatic than esoteric, and is often misinterpreted as being pessimistic.

2. The cause of suffering -- in his life, Buddha knew poverty and wealth, extreme luxury and extreme asceticism, and discovered that none of these extremes held the ultimate answers. Instead, it was what is inside, the self and the desires therein, that created all suffering.

3. The cessation of the causes of suffering -- the traditional term here is the Sanskrit term Nirvana, which is very difficult to translate. It isn't nothingness, or eternal blankness, or Buddhist heaven -- that the Buddha obtained nirvana while on earth and remained on earth negates those ideas.

4. The path that leads to the cessation of the cause of suffering -- this is a practice, a way of living by which one obtains release.

From these Four Truths (the fourth of which leads to the Eight-fold Path), one sees a very different structure than something akin to the Ten Commandments or the Apostle's Creed. This is, in fact, much closer to a system such as the Beatitudes of Jesus, or even the Proverbs and Wisdom literature of the Hebrew Scriptures -- it is no wonder that speculation continues that Jesus and other Hebrew prophets had significant contact with the Eastern cultures that practiced Buddhism.

Each of the principles, both of the Eightfold Path and the Six Perfections, is given illustration in practice as well as a philosophical/theoretical definition, so that the reader may see the practical aspect and implication of these systems. Farrer-Halls, then introduces specific meditation practices, which include posture, mental practice, calming and enlightening intentions, prostration, temple etiquette, and setting up personal meditation spaces.

Farrer-Halls concludes by illustrating personal stories of Buddhism by the practitioners. From monastic communities to individual adherents, from the Dalai Lama to 'average' folk, the author illustrates Tibetan, Zen, and Theravada Buddhist practices and traditions in East and West. Specific meditative practices and prayers are illustrated for each of these major traditions.

Gill Farrer-Halls is herself a Buddhist, living in Oxford and conducting Buddhism workshops there. She also serves as an administrator and producer at the Meridian Trust Buddhist Film and Video Archive. She has worked on many books on Buddhism with other authors, as well as recently completing another book, The World of the Dalai Lama: An Inside Look at His Life, His People, and His Vision.

This is a remarkable book. Perhaps the title is somewhat inappropriate, given that this is not organised in the pattern of a tradition dictionary/encyclopedia. However, for breadth and depth of information on specific practices of Buddhism for those coming from a Western perspective, it does likely qualify for the title 'encyclopedia'.

Beautiful Buddhist Wisdom!
This book is wonderful! It combines the basics of Buddhism with wonderful colored photos and illustrations! Many topics are covered in this book such as the 4 noble truths, the 8 fold path, different schools, an excellent history, and much more. A beautiful book to rest on your coffee table.

Beautifully Illustrated
Although "encyclopedia" might not be the best word for this book, it is an excellent introduction into Buddhism.The illustration, layout and design make this book lovely.You will find suggested meditations as well as step-by-step instructions.Good for anyone investigating Buddhism. ... Read more

Product Description

Science has long treated religion as a set of personal beliefs that have little to do with a rational understanding of the mind and the universe. However, B. Alan Wallace, a respected Buddhist scholar, proposes that the contemplative methodologies of Buddhism and of Western science are capable of being integrated into a single discipline: contemplative science.

The science of consciousness introduces first-person methods of investigating the mind through Buddhist contemplative techniques, such assamatha, an organized, detailed system of training the attention. Just as scientists make observations and conduct experiments with the aid of technology, contemplatives have long tested their own theories with the help of highly developed meditative skills of observation and experimentation. Contemplative science allows for a deeper knowledge of mental phenomena, including a wide range of states of consciousness, and its emphasis on strict mental discipline counteracts the effects of conative (intention and desire), attentional, cognitive, and affective imbalances.

Just as behaviorism, psychology, and neuroscience have all shed light on the cognitive processes that enable us to survive and flourish, contemplative science offers a groundbreaking perspective for expanding our capacity to realize genuine well-being. It also forges a link between the material world and the realm of the subconscious that transcends the traditional science-based understanding of the self.

Customer Reviews (8)

Tough going, but worth the effort
This is the fifth Alan Wallace book that I have purchased, the fourth that I have finished reading.This one is more detailed than the others.Alan presents justification for a science of meditation.Then he presents some observations by skilled Buddhist practitioners as seed areas for initial investigation using skilled meditation practitioners in this new proposed contemplative science.

Buddhists don't talk about their personal progress, so it is difficult for an interested observer to see details of their path.This book contains the clearest explanation and illustration of what it is like to be at various stages of the path towards enlightenment that I've seen anywhere.

I especially like the notes section which gives extensive references.It is surprising just how many of the references that Dr Wallace uses are to his own books and his original translations.

I would not recommend this book for those interested in an introduction to contemplation.It is an excellent reference work and ties together many thoughts that are only hinted at in introductory works.

Disclaimer:I am an interested observer of Buddhism and follow several different meditative practices.I attended a one week Samatha retreat presented by Alan Wallace several years ago.

A Well-Intentioned (But Inadequate) Effort
B. Alan Wallace seems to be an ideal candidate to write books on the theme of "contemplative science", having training in both Tibetan buddhism and physics for many years. His familiarity with standard Mahayana Buddhist doctrines is evident throughout his writings, which is a plus when trying to integrate Buddhism into modern science, which he is trying to do. In this sense, Wallace's writings can be seen as extensions of the Dalai Lama's excursions into science.
However, as I mentioned in my review of the Dalai Lama's efforts to "converge" Buddhism with modern science, the marriage, so to speak, has more problems than is evident in this style of writing. Yeah? Like what?, the true devotee asks...

Wallace, of course, views much of modern science as "externally" focused, with too much attention placed on the physical universe and not enough on inner, "subjective" experience, especially as accumulated over thousands of years in the great religious traditions (certainly understandable, for a devout Buddhist...).Accordingly, Wallace decries what he sees as the mental aspect being relegated to secondary status, as a mere epiphenomenon of the material world. Wallace hence is suspicious of modern theories of complexity being adequate in explaining the mental side of humans. His own ideas on consciousness seem to be based much on ideas of the great early American psychologist William James, as well as on current "hard-problem" observations by David Chalmers and others. What Wallace comes up with as a basic ontology, then, is that consciousness is actually primary in our physical universe and we need to shift our thinking (I hate to use the New-Age term "paradigm shift", so I won't. You did NOT just see that phrase here).

Consciousness is, of course, a difficult subject for everyone. Physicists are trying to get it out of pure quantum mechanics, neurophysiologists are trying to determine a physical basis for it, Whiteheadians posit it must be fundamental (as Wallace does), Chalmers himself wants a physical description that goes beyond merely functional descriptions, etc. etc.So everybody has problems with consciousness. Wallace has training as a physicist, but he glosses over the problems in injecting consciousness into quantum mechanics as he tries to do. The vast majority of physicists do NOT see consciousness (human or otherwise) as important in quantum mechanics, despite some popular efforts to make it important. The word "observation" has been long misused and misunderstood in this area, and this isn't the place to rehash the sloppy use of such words. In this respect, Wallace does the reader no favor, offering as he does a viewpoint that is on the "fringe" area of orthodox physics.And he does the research of neuroscience no real favor, either- rather casually linking metaphysical buzzwords with current neuroscience buzzwords, as if we are now on friendly "converging" grounds. Neuroscience itself, alas, has hardly been successful (as of yet) capturing the rich inner world of subjective human experiences, and while foreign philosophical concepts (such as Buddhist doctrines) may provide some fresh exploration, the speculative nature of the "parallels" should be admitted up front. But a candid admission of speculation usually doesn't happen, as an author tries to build his/her own agenda. The problem is, the more that scientific terms are presented in the same context as purely metaphysical concepts, the more likely the speculative nature of the discussion will be obscured.

Buddhism itself is problematic in regards to empirical science, despite what many "convergers" (hey! a new word I just coined, don't be stealing it) have described. I have briefly commented on some of the problems in another review and won't go over that now. Here, I would like to briefly comment on the so-called "no-self" (anatta) doctrine, which asserts that there is no such thing as a permanent ego-self.In other words, your human personality is a makeshift construction that is being replaced moment-by-moment and has no real substance. We can all agree that the topic of what the "self" really consists of is another difficult topic, but it is questionable whether the Buddhists got this right or not. Some scientists and philosophers have indeed found Buddhist ideas of the "no-self" congenial to their understanding, but many others have not. Common sense certainly seems to throw some doubt on the doctrine that your personality has no real "core". Just think back to your early childhood- honesty will tell you that you indeed have a continuous personality from square one, which seems rather mysterious if we grant the Buddhists are correct that we are looking at something that is fundamentally illusory. That just doesn't seem to jive with personal experience, if one is honest with oneself.
Moreover, just what is it that keeps interfering with the bliss of "no-self", so that practitioners always need to keep fighting against the tendency to lapse back into reacting from an illusory "I"?Forgive this heresy, Buddhist devotees, but could it possibly be there **IS** a real self (a real personality) after all, and all these attempts to minimize it on a constant day-to-day basis perhaps are little more than going against the grain of an actual psychological reality? Yes, I know this crazy thought goes against what everybody learned from their Buddhist teachers :-). But didn't Shakyamuni himself supposedly caution folks to examine the doctrines personally? Have YOU done so, Amazonian? (I like that term, it sounds like a jungle warrior instead of some nerdy bookworm, too bad it's the latter).

At any rate, simple observation of the animal kingdom seems to throw *some* doubt on the "no-self" doctrine, at least as a moment-by-moment construction phenomenon. Looking at animals for some clues is instructive simply because there is no human bias or dogmas (ha! get it? dog-mas) involved. Simply put, animals ALSO seem to show signs of having continual individual personalities, which is rather odd if the "no-self" doctrine were an assured psychological (neurological?) truth. (Pet-owners and zoo-keepers can no doubt vouch for the truth of animal personalities). And this observation gives us a clue for what I respectfully propose as a *better* interpretation of the "no-self" teaching:instead of looking at the "self" as a moment-by-moment event of makeshift construction, maybe devout Buddhist fans would be better off viewing "no-self" in a broader sense, merely as the impermanence of all biological organisms- i.e., the lack of permanent existence for an individual's biological life in general. Yes, contrary to orthodox Buddhist interpretations, individuals DO have continual personalites, as even common sense shows, but people just don't live forever :-). This suggestion at least has the virtue of not offending either science or common sense; I offer it as a possibility, worth what it cost you- (i.e., free). Observing animals also seems to call into question, BTW, some common doctrinal assumptions such as an "ego-self" supposedly occuring because of "our deluded perception". But is it accurate to assign the blame to faulty perceptions? Can someone explain why even animals, since they obviously act from a sense of self-interest, have erroneous perceptions of a "self" and turn out (according to this view) to be "deluded"? This is remarkable...apparently humans aren't the only critters who have a faulty perception of the world- animals are just as guilty! I guess mere self-preservation instincts and everyday self-referential behaviors in the animal kingdom qualify as "delusions of self".How unfortunate, then, that animals haven't had Buddhist teaching to set them straight. Maybe Buddhists need to start preaching to animals- and good luck getting your goldfish to listen.

A much simpler explanation is that basic reactions of self-preservation and self-interest simply are part of millions of years of biological evolution, and humans aren't the only critters who act and react in terms of "self".All biological creatures do.It isn't a matter of "self-delusion", it's simply a brute reality of competitive evolutionary self-preservation :-). It seems to me, anyway, we'd all be better off acknowledging our obvious biological tendencies (which doesn't mean we need to be controlled by them), instead of labeling these "self-delusion" and hoping they are merely mental mis-perceptions we can train ourselves to eventually discard.It's hard to get anywhere relegating fairly obvious realities to imaginary "phantoms"! And, sadly, the day when these (supposed) self-delusions are finally discarded never seems to actually arrive-you'd think devotees would start to question some of these maxims when the success rate, for everybody (including our author Wallace), is 0% :-). Folks - both lay and professional - seem to tie themselves into knots concocting elaborate theories about human psychology, often to the horror of their simple common sense...only to end up up with a lot of "sound and fury", as our British muse Billy Shakespeare reminds us, "signifying nothing".
Until neuroscience/clinical-psychology can actually come up with some solid empirical data on HOW one's rich, subjective individual inner life (including so-called "qualia") occurs and functions as it does (and there's no reason to suppose science won't eventually tap into purely subjective phenomena) - we're all guessing...Buddhists included.

At any rate, here's another observation for Amazonians: what is responsible for the following phenomenon: if you stomped on the foot of the most "enlightened" Buddhist around, for example, despite their insistence there is no self, you will probably hear evidence of a "self" instantly. [It's a traditional Zen koan, anyway-if there is no "self", just what is it that is in pain?].
I mention this example not as a deep Zen exercise, however, but merely to point out that these lofty Buddhist doctrines of "emptiness", "no-self", "everything is buddha-nature", etc. can easily become mere rhetoric, even with long-time devotees. It's truly difficult - in spite of the buzz people spout - to eliminate a personal reaction to events...especially events which tend to rain on our own personal parade - such as the bad driver in front of us, or someone saying something negative to us...These moments, when negative events provoke our knee-jerk reactions, as they invariably do, can be very instructive as a revelation of our "real" personality, hidden behind our outward social masks and perhaps our spiritual posturing :-).
Naturally, these instantaneous self-reactions are not any "scientific" observations supporting the concept of a "personal self", nor are they any indication the no-self doctrines themselves are "wrong", per se, but they ARE instructive as to how platitudes such as "no-self" can easily turn into mere verbiage...good only when circumstances are peachy :-).
But then again- you have no "person"...so why are you reacting at all?

Let me end here with the observation that many Buddhists seem to be looking at subjective experiences of personal self-awareness "dissolving" in mystical experiences, and elevating these to questionable ontological assertions. Myriads of subjective experiences are human events across all cultures, and indeed, I've experienced some myself. But this kind of thing is hardly any empirical "proof" for a "no-self", much less an ontological "proof", and shouldn't be used to assert any kind of assured ontological certainty.

A very informative read.
B. Alan Wallace is a leading scholar and author on this subject.His way of writing in simple language about complicated concepts makes for very informative and fascinating reading.His insights can bring about a major shift in our perception of the relationship between science and spirituality.

good place to start
dr wallace is a sophisticated scientist who is very experienced in talking about the details of buddhism.he understands the thousands of years of studying the mind from a buddhist perspectice and how to integrate it with modern science.he has the input of the dalai lama too, having been a translator for him for years.i encourage the serious reader to take a look.

Contemplative Science
good shape copy of a good readable book.arrived quickly
would have preferred paperback but was ok. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Required Reading at Hong Kong University
This is one of the books on the required reading list for our course at Hong Kong University on Chinese Buddhism and I would like to strongly recommend this book as a very good short introduction to the topic. The course I am taking has the distinction of being taught in both English and Chinese with reams of reading in both languages. Having read the book and much of the supplementary reading, I have to say how well this book has held up in light of the latest findings with regards to its broad arguments especially for the early chapters, despite having been written in 1959. The chapter setting out the background for early Buddhism is especially good at setting out the background of the Han Dynasty and the role of Confucianism and Taoism.

The other strength of the book is that the style is elegant and punchy (perhaps because they were originally designed as lectures) as opposed to the bland uniform academic analysis that characterizes so many books nowadays and the over proliferation of footnotes. Reading some of the modern papers makes my head spin with the hundreds of names of monks and monasteries and references, such that the key arguments and trends are sometimes lost in the detail. I do miss the days when style was just as important as content and I value this as a teaching tool in improving my own writing.

On the flip side, for a modern reader, there are references to thinkers and historians who are no longer in vogue, such as Toynbee, Satre and Maspero, and he makes pointed comparisons to the role of Christianity in Rome, but if you have an acquaintance with their work and of Roman history, these references are very illuminating and helps one look at the history from another aspect.

I have to agree that the part on Modern China is dated, but that is the danger of most books which deal with modern China and really if we are looking at Chinese Buddhism the key developments happened much much earlier so this is not a big loss. There are so many books now that seek to explain the megatrends of China that date in one or two years. This book has at least stood the test of half a century.

Good overview
This little book provides a good overview of, as the title suggests, Buddhism in China. It delves into relevant and fascinating exploration of how Buddhism changed in its adoption of Chinese culture and values. Where this book really shines is the section on neo-Confucianism, and how the two blended together.

Good, insightful read. Perfectly fine for someone not too familiar with the topic (such as myself.) 4 stars for the plates not being all that well explained, as the book fails to explain the changes in the Buddhist art that it has pictures of.

just o.k.
I cannot see this book as a satisfactory survey of Buddhism in China. First off, it's very vague. Often the author makes sweeping comments about Chinese culture, the role of Buddhism, Confucianism etc. without adequately backing them up with information. Secondly, it's dated: the copyright of 1959 says it all. In fact, about half of the sources cited are French books and articles written on China in the '50s. The last chapter on Modern China is especially anachronistic, where the author posits the impossibility of a Buddhist revival in China (p. 122), something, I would think be proven wrong by today's developments, though he can't be blamed specifically for that. In conclusion, an o.k. general introduction, but not for in-depth study.

prescient and relevant
one might wonder what relevance a book written in the late fifties could possibly have to the China of today. then, communism was consolidating its grip on the country, today it seems to be losing it.
in fact, Wright points to similarities between the Buddhist and Marxist influence. he cites the Chinese willingness to give enthusiastic support to an idea which suggests that we look carefully at the ideology developing in China today. he debunks the notion that China merely absorbs outside influences by pointing to the incredible changes that Buddhism affected in China. perhaps most importantly, he reminds us that periods of disruption have been the time when the Chinese have seemed most responsive to alien ideas. Read Wright and stay tuned.

Lynn Hoffman, author of The New Short Course in Wine

The importance of Buddhism in understanding Chinese culture
"Buddhism in Chinese History" is a collection of six lectures presented at the University of Chicago by Arthur F. Wright in the late 1950's.Wright offers up an attempt at reflective interpretation of the study of Chinese Buddhism, which explains how Buddhism played an important role in reducing the cultural and institutional differences that existed in China during the 6th century A.D. and laid the foundations for the unified, and eventually Confucian, society that would ultimately exist.Wright's analysis extends all the way from the Han China of 206 B.C. to the Modern Era, where Buddhism continues to have strong influences in China.Specifically, Wright looks at elements of thought, language and culture that have been so completely appropriated that their origins have been essentially forgotten.Indeed, you can imagine what position the Chinese Communist government would have on Wright's views, especially given Wright's claim that there is a self-conscious effort by the Chinese to identify, reinterpret and use elements of the country's Buddhist heritage to solve the problems China's traditional civilization faces when confronted with the dominating forces of the West.Whether you come to this volume because of an interest in the religion of Buddhism or the cultural history of China, you will certainly find Wright's arguments to be of interest. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Buddhism for the West -- a sensitive, early view
This is a very fine book by a sensitive, 20th century practitioner, a German who became a Buddhist monk in a SE Asia monastery and traveled through Tibet with his wife Li Gotami (who published a book of fascinating photographs).The author is probably best known for his "Foundations of Tibetan Buddhism" which is probably a modern classic and for "The Way of the White Clouds" a more personal description of Buddhism.The present book also reflects his personal approach which makes it, perhaps, more easily comprehended and accessible than some of the more recent texts translated from past or present Tibetan Buddhist masters.From the title, this would appear to be his intention.As I've heard Lama Govinda (Anangavajra Khamsum Wangchuk) quoted (but I don't know the source), "A religion whose ideal is only a matter of the past or the distant future has no living value for the present day."He has considerable insight into the human condition and its relation to religion and spirituality as demonstrated in some quotes from this book:

"Truths cannot be taken on trust.They need to be continually rediscovered and formed afresh if they are to retain their spiritual content, their life and nutritive value.It is a law of spiritual growth that the same truths must be continually experienced and thought through in new forms." page 36

"When we intellectually reproduce experiences that by their nature belong to other dimensions, we are doing something similar to what the painter does when he represents three-dimensional spaces on a two-dimensional surface...The laws of this perspective are essentially similar to the laws of logic: both sacrifice the qualities of a higher dimension by arbitrarily limiting themselves to a particular point of view, so that their objects are always seen only from one side and in a foreshortening and proportion appropriate to the angle of vision.But whereas the painter consciously transfers his impressions from one dimension to another and has no intention of imitating or reproducing an objective reality, but rather wishes to express his reaction to that reality, the thinker generally falls into the trap of supposing he has grasped reality with his own thinking, because he mistakes the "foreshortening" perspective of his one-sided logic for universal law.The use of logic for the process of thinking is undoubtably just as necessary and justified as the use of perspective in painting, but only as a means of expression and not as a criterion of reality."pages 32-3

Great introduction for westerners
Lama Anagarika Govinda described himself as a German national of Indian heritage who was a member of a Tibetan Buddhist order.He began his study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism prior to the Chinese invasion of takeover of Tibet.He explains Buddhism, he does not describe it as say an academic would.Few like him, a very worthy person to learn from. ... Read more

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Upon reaching Japan, Buddhism, which was founded in India two thousand years ago, collided with an island civilization with its own firmly entrenched cultural and even religious infrastructure. The result, as the Japanese embraced this new, foreign-born religion, was a centuries long "chemical reaction" between religion and culture. This book, written by one of Japan's most outstanding scholars on Buddhism, traces that journey from the beginning through our own time. Japanese Buddhism examines how the religion shaped the people-with their own rich history-even as the people shaped the religion, with the result that Japanese Buddhism is unique in the world today. Delving deeply into the interplay between Buddhism and Japanese poetry, literature and even politics, this book is an invaluable addition to our understanding of Japan, Buddhism and the complex relationship between the two. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Very well written- simple yet captivating
When I've searched for a general introduction for the subject of Japanese Buddhism, I wanted to find a readable, fluent in style and information kind of a book. Among the first results I've found was Tamura's book. After I've looked at the table of content and saw the full scale of this impressive overlook into the subject, I decided to purchase it with no hesitation.I found the historical details and the philosophical explanations to be very clear, especially when comparing various Buddhist sects as "pure land", " Ten Dai" ,"shingon" and even "future Buddhism".
For me, the book was a "must" as I was starting writing my seminar on Japanese Buddhism, and I found it captivating not only in style, but also in the depth of the explanations it gave.

Historical view of Japanese Buddhism
I wish I had this book in college going for a degree in Asian Humanities.The historic facts were well researched and yet, plainly written for academic understanding.Well done. ... Read more

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By establishing a dialogue in which the meditative practices of Buddhism and Christianity speak to the theories of modern philosophy and science, B. Alan Wallace reveals the theoretical similarities underlying these disparate disciplines and their unified approach to making sense of the objective world.

Wallace begins by exploring the relationship between Christian and Buddhist meditative practices. He outlines a sequence of meditations the reader can undertake, showing that, though Buddhism and Christianity differ in their belief systems, their methods of cognitive inquiry provide similar insight into the nature and origins of consciousness.

From this convergence Wallace then connects the approaches of contemporary cognitive science, quantum mechanics, and the philosophy of the mind. He links Buddhist and Christian views to the provocative philosophical theories of Hilary Putnam, Charles Taylor, and Bas van Fraassen, and he seamlessly incorporates the work of such physicists as Anton Zeilinger, John Wheeler, and Stephen Hawking. Combining a concrete analysis of conceptions of consciousness with a guide to cultivating mindfulness and profound contemplative practice, Wallace takes the scientific and intellectual mapping of the mind in exciting new directions.

Customer Reviews (7)

An academic view of the personal
'Mind in the Balance' is difficult to review because the response depends on individual reasons for reading the book, which vary considerably - the differing reviews clearly demonstrate this.Meditation, after all, is a highly personal experience, yet Wallace has chosen to take an academic - even impersonal - approach to it.For me, that is a major drawback to this book.

While the author makes reference to a number of scientific studies in which meditation is shown to be beneficial, he gives no examples of specific practices in Christianity and Buddhism that we can evaluate or compare. As it is, we are given only a generic mindfulness meditation that is described in so many other books on the subject. Neither are we helped to understand the uniqueness of the meditation experience for individual practitioners, even within the same religion or belief.

Although not Christian as are other reviewers, I am nevertheless concerned that Wallace shows marked bias against Christianity in favour of his own Buddhist tradition.This is evident in the way he focuses on the negatives in early Christian dogma, but only the positives in evolved Buddhist teachings. For example, he refers to the focus on guilt in traditional Christianity, but makes no mention of early Gnosticism, which did not hold this belief.More importantly, he completely disregards present day traditions in Christianity such as the labyrinth-walking meditation movement led by the Rev Lauren Artress. (Sitting motionless is not considered by all traditions as prerequisite to the meditative state.) Such practices (as labyrinth walking) clearly resonate with Buddhism, especially in regard to mindfulness meditation, but are ignored by Wallace. I am also puzzled as to why the author excludes Vipissana (Indian) Meditation and Taoist (Chinese) Meditation, which have similarities as well.

Two other concerns: Wallace does not put the benefits of meditation with ADHD into correct scientific context.The impression given is that meditation is the definitive treatment of such a condition, when it can only be a part of it.ADHD has been demonstrated in other studies (besides those quoted by Wallace) to be markedly reduced by the elimination of environmental toxins and food additives, as well as in the improvement of nutritional status. While it may be a worthwhile therapeutic tool, meditation alone will not heal - or prevent - conditions like ADHD when the negative (and often pathological) external environment remains uncorrected.

Secondly, Wallace works from a very limited definition of stress in that he defines it as purely psychological and/or emotional.There are numerous other stressors, especially physiological, including chronic pain, long term sleep deprivation, environmental toxins and even hormonal irregularities.The body does not differentiate when it comes to the source of stress. Wallace sees depression as being entirely psychosomatic, yet it is a classic symptom of hypothyroidism (of which there is said to be a current epidemic.)Thus, in his focus on the internal environment, Wallace ignores the external environment.

Wallace takes a definitive view of meditation, and maybe that is what his step-daughter specified in her request.But if you prefer a less academic or proscribed approach to meditation, you may like books by Lorin Roche (Meditation 24/7: Practices to enlighten every moment of the day) Camille Maureen (Meditation for Women) and David Kunz (Stopping: How to be still when you have to keep going.)Kunz, by the way is a counsellor who was previously a Jesuit Priest.Another positive then, from outside Wallace's Buddhist sources.

A Better Book Waits to Be Written
The preface opens with a request that Alan Wallace's step-daughter put to him regarding a book that would "improve the quality of her interior life and mind" and serve the same purpose for others. I give the book two stars for the short "Practice" chapters (especially the first three) that walk the reader through meditation exercises.
Since the request came from a Christian, Wallace presents his work as a sort of synthesis of "science, Buddhism, and Christianity." It is in this regard that Mind In the Balance fell far short of my expectations. Thich Nhat Hanh's Living Buddha, Living Christ came closer to that goal, and perhaps because of Hanh's close relationship to Thomas Merton. But it, too, was colored by Hanh's tradition, which is to be expected (although it would be helpful if it were acknowledged).
I don't want to despair of finding a common meeting ground between Buddhism and Christianity, but the place to find it will not be within the doctrines of either system. Christians will try to find traces of their doctrines in Buddhism and Buddhist will try to find traces of their doctrines (Dharma) in Christianity. Both will be imposing something on the other.
For the sake of brevity, I will mention only one example from the book. Wallace thinks he can find reincarnation taught or implied in the New Testament in so far as John the Baptist is described as having come in the spirit and power of the ancient prophet Elijah. This reading can only be supported by a superficial reading of the New Testament, a misunderstanding of Hebrew culture and theology (in which the Bible was written), and a limited knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures. It's easy to see why most people do not have a good grasp on the Hebrew Scriptures. They are dense and quite foreign to our worldview. But even during Elijah's lifetime, his protege Elisha was filled with the spirit and power of Elijah. It had nothing to do with Elijah's spirit being reincarnated in another body and everything to do with the Spirit of God who empowered the charismatic leaders and prophets of Hebrew Scripture.
I really wanted to find in Wallace's book a common foundation for Christianity and Buddhism (with science thrown into the mix for extra measure), but it just wasn't there. He generalizes the possibilities of synthesis with Christianity based on questionable characters (I happen to be a fan of Evagrius, but since some of his teaching was later branded heretical, he is not a good candidate for characterizing Christian belief). There were a couple of places where it seemed he did the same thing with physics and neuroscience so that they would fit into a Buddhist understanding of the nature of reality.
I am a Christian who has benefited greatly from Buddhist teaching regarding meditation. I have studied it, not to learn Buddhism, but to discover what has been missing, buried, or ignored in my own tradition. My attentiveness to God in prayer has been greatly enhanced through the intense focus I have learned in meditation. But I would not dare to write anything about the points where Buddhism and Christianity converge, because I simply do not know that much about Buddhism (and its various branches). If Wallace had kept his remarks to what he believes as a Buddhist (or more collaborated more with Christian and Hebrew scholars) and allowed the reader to find their own points of intersection, his work would have seemed more authentic to me.

Extraordinary
The book deals a devastating blow to the cognitive sciences as practiced today. Wallace argues that cognitive scientists and neuroscientists hold materialism -- the view that consciousness can be explained on a physical level -- as dogma. These fields tend to dismiss what may be learned from direct contemplation of the mind. In a simple and brilliant stroke, Wallace shows materialism to be a faith-based view. Why? The physical basis of consciousness has not been established. Wallace quotes Christoph Koch, a leading neuroscientist at CalTech, who says that the relationship between consciousness and the physical brain remains a mystery.

Another deft move in the book is Wallace's revival of introspection as a means of understanding the mind. He revisits the early history of modern psychology when William James viewed introspection as a research method. Later, during the rise of behaviorism and the cognitive revolution, introspection was pooh-poohed as "unscientific." Behaviorists believed anything that could not be observed and measured empirically was not real. Wallace exposes this as nonsense. He suggests that meditation, being a direct experience of the mind, is akin to James' introspection, and has yielded profound insights into consciousness which can inform the cognitive sciences.

A third line of inquiry explores whether nature has an absolute reality outside of human perceptions, or instead, nature can only be understood through the language and tools we bring to bear on it (a Phenomenalist view). Wallace highlights the work of distinguished contemporary scholars and scientists who have arrived at the latter view. He ties this view back to the Buddhist teaching that the entire world emerges from the "substrate" and returns to it. It is striking that certain strands of Western science and philosophy have ended up in the same territory as Buddhist contemplative wisdom.

Throughout the book, Wallace fishes out prominent and obscure figures from history: Pythagoras, Nicholas of Cusa, Franklin Merrell-Wolff, Richard Feynman, and Düdjom Lingpa, to name just a few. Wallace nimbly traverses the fields of history, philosophy, science, and religion.

The author's voice is lucid, even-keeled, and confident. But taken as a whole, the book deals a withering blow to certain received truths of Western science. The contrast between the calm lucidity of the prose and the force of its argument is quite pleasing! But the book is much more than a critique of science as we know it; it offers a vision for how a contemplative perspective can enrich scientific inquiry.

Wallace's ideas should be considered carefully by cognitive scientists of all stripes, philosophers of science, and anyone interested in the encounter between Western and Buddhist worldviews. I also give it the highest recommendation to any inquiring person who is willing to let his curiosity lead him into new territory.

Well Balanced
"Mind in the Balance" is indeed about balance--the truths or realizations that can be obtained when one's explorations balance empiricism with an open mind. Wallace introduces the meat of the book (Meditation in Theory and Practice) with succinct essays on the origins of contemplation, the "scientific externalization of meditation," and scientific studies of meditation. This introduction is essential because most of us do not come to science, religion, or contemplation with either an informed or an unbiased attitude. Wallace points out how materialism arose historically as a central dogma in science--one that has had some good and some very bad effects on the scientific enterprise. Expecting all valid measurements to be of a quantitative, physical nature turns out to be a fake objectivity. Physics has already challenged the purely physical nature of phenomena with relativity theory and quantum mechanics, yet the lay public and many scientists still are unable to open up to the implications. Wearing such blinders, many automatically label contemplation anywhere along a continuum from "irrelevant" to "primitive superstition."

If one pays attention to the author's historical overviews of contemplation and science, the section on recent scientific studies of meditation presents tantalizing possibilities for the solution of deep scientific and philosophical questions that have long baffled humankind. It is generally accepted now that meditation can relax the physical body resulting in positive effects that relieve a number of chronic conditions resulting from stress. But studies on the effects of meditation with regard to neuroplasticity and epiginetics suggest that the mind has a central role in the expression of fundamental activities ranging from cognitive acuity to the operation of our genes.

Wallace--who has a strong Buddhist background complemented with studies in physics--does not shy away from controversial areas within contemplative religion. Some of the more refined activities of meditational training promise supernormal abilities such as clairvoyance and clairaudience, levitation, and the ability to dissolve one's physical body into light (signifying an exalted state of realization). These abilities have long been accepted as possible--even "normal"--by contemplative traditions. But what about empirical evidence for these powers?

We may consider a wealth of anecdotal evidence--public witnesses to such abilities up to the present. In Tibet, for example, tertons ("treasure revealers") often insisted on public witnesses--sometimes of hundreds of people--to verify the exposure of long-hidden teachings sometimes found in the center of stones. The tertons might place their hands on the rock, causing it to melt, and then reach inside, pulling out teachings written on parchment. Tibetans were known to take a very skeptical attitude towards such treasures presented without having been discovered in public. Furthermore, a number of people claim to have witnessed the effects of the dissolution of the body of a dead yogi into light. These examples do not describe "laboratory conditions," but the frequency of such claims merits serious study. If yogis practicing "inner heat" in sub-freezing conditions can dry wet blankets draped over their naked bodies (which has been confirmed by western medical researchers), the spirit of empiricism that is to guide science demands that other, even more extraordinary claims, be examined seriously rather than being written off as an expression of "superstition" and "blind faith."

Having cast light on the roots of prejudice against contemplative religion, thereby providing a viable basis for preceding further, Wallace invites us to try a variety of contemplative techniques for ourselves. These range in scope from curing ourselves of psychological hang-ups to witnessing the union of mind and matter.

"Mind in the Balance" is written in elegantly accessible prose by someone well acquainted with both contemplative religion and science. I recommend it highly to anyone curious to explore beyond the humdrum confines of our ingrained prejudices.

Disturbingly anti-science and pro-religion
This book turned out to be a disappointment, largely because Wallace is disturbingly anti-science and pro-religion, which shows that Buddhists can believe with blind faith in weird stuff just as other religious fundamentalists do.

Example: I can sort of understand what "brightly shining mind" might be like (this supposedly is primordial consciousness, the mind of the Buddha). But many Buddhists also believe in a bodily transformation that is a whole lot less believable.

Given Wallace's assertion that Buddhism is a religion committed to confirming religious phenomena, I figured that he'd offer up some evidence of "one's body vanishes at death like a rainbow disappearing into the sky" and "the material body of the contemplative decreases in size until it finally vanishes without leaving any trace of the body or mind behind."

Nope. So there is no evidence confirming a Buddhist dogma, the dissolving of the physical body at death into a "rainbow body," that could easily be tested by scientific methods. Yet Wallace speaks of this being "an extraordinary challenge to many religious and scientific assumptions that limit the human imagination today."

Wallace's version of Buddhism is annoyingly unscientific. He uncritically accepts religious beliefs, such as the rainbow body and reincarnation, on faith, and also makes unfounded claims that Buddhism knows more about physical reality than science does -- such as the non-material foundation of consciousness.

Hasn't Wallace heard about anesthesia, persistent vegetative states, neurological injuries, MRI scanners, and other evidence that the physical brain and consciousness are exceedingly intimately connected? If not identical.

Sure, subjective states can't be measured objectively. That's obvious, both philosophically and scientifically. That's a far cry, though, from asserting that Buddhists know human consciousness survives bodily death.

Every Buddhist contemplative who supposedly has made this discovery has been alive at the time. How the heck can someone know that his or her consciousness doesn't cease at death when they're not dead?

The main thing I learned from this book is that Buddhism really is a religion. I've tried to view it as a philosophy based on direct experience of one's own mind/consciousness, not on theological precepts accepted on faith.

But it's clear that Wallace sees meditation merely as a means of confirming the teachings of Buddhism. If a meditator doesn't experience what Wallace believes is true, he or she is doing something wrong.

This isn't spiritual science. It is dogmatic religion disguised with a flimsy covering of a pseudo-scientific method.

If you're interested in non-religious Buddhism, there are plenty of alternatives to "Mind in the Balance." A couple of my favorites are "Buddhism Without Beliefs" and "Ending the Pursuit of Happiness." ... Read more

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This illustrated book for children and families explores the history, culture and religion of Buddhism. It includes information on the different branches of Buddhism and their spread around the world. ... Read more

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Grow!Learn! Read!
We were very interested in how this complicated and ancient religion would be portrayed from a Western, visiting eye.We were pleased at DK's clear delineation between the major sects were given as much devotion to detail as the sects in DK's Christian book (as well as fair portrayal in the DK Religions book!).The differences included practices by the people versus the monks, by evolution through countries, and recent adaptation to America.I don't know that the Editorial Reviewer got it right when they said the belief in afterlife was obscured.It's a Western measurement that negates what the DK Religions book and Buddhism book gives a vantage to.Very interesting stuff for those ready to move past the 9/11 God-centered/Christian-Islamic dialogue toward a more inclusive world view!Read on about Eastern religions that preceded these dialogues by a few hundred years!Very insightful! ... Read more

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This is the first comprehensive study of socially and politically engaged Buddhism in the lands of its origin. Nine accounts of contemporary movements in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Japan are framed by interpretive essays. The historical development and institutional forms of engaged Buddhism are considered in the light of traditional Buddhist conceptions of morality, interdependence, and liberation; and Western ideas of freedom, human rights, and democracy.

Since the fiery self-immolation of the Vietnamese monk Thich Quang Duc on a Saigon street in 1963, "engaged Buddhism" has spread throughout Asia and the West. Twice in recent years the Nobel Prize for peace was awarded to Buddhists for their efforts to free their compatriots from totalitarian regimes.

Engaged Buddhism presents ordained and lay Buddhist activists like Thich Nhat Hanh of Vietnam, Buddhadasa Bhikkhu and Sulak Sivaraksa of Thailand, A. T. Ariyaratne and the Sarvodaya Shramadana movement of Sri Lanka, Daisaku Ikeda and the Soka Gakkai movement of Japan, followers of the Indian Untouchable leader, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, and Buddhist women throughout Asia. These leaders have campaigned relentlessly, attracted and organized millions of new converts, faced death threats, landed in jail, founded schools and universities, and produced a massive new Buddhist literature to restore social and economic justice to their societies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

inspiring book about modern application of Buddhism
This is a quite academic book about Buddhism in modern day Asia. It gives a brief introduction to several different approaches of modern application of Buddhism. It starts with the Ambedkarite Movement in India and ends with the Soka Gakkai in Japan. Well worth reading, especially if you think that Buddhism is a pessimistic religion ... Read more

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Enlightenment has never been easier—with this updated guide.

There’s more to Buddhism than meditation and mantras—and this fully updated guide is what every reader needs on the path to enlightenment. With expanded information on the practice of Buddhism in the United States and the West, a greater focus on the relationship between Buddhism and Islam, and the effects of Buddhism on Christianity and Judaism, this book explores the easy ways readers can make Buddhism a part of their daily lives.

• Includes expanded appendixes featuring a timeline showing the evolution of Buddhism through history
• Covers all four schools of Buddhism—Zen, Tibetan, Pure Land, and Insight Meditation
• Expanded section on "rites of passage" shows how a new generation has taken to BuddhismAmazon.com Review
Gary Gach is like that teacher you always wanted--easygoing, fullof information, able to communicate in humorous and meaningful ways, and alittle bit wacky. So he's the perfect author for The Complete Idiot'sGuide to Understanding Buddhism. In this trademark easy-to-read format,Gach introduces us to a very human Buddha, along with the rules for livingthat make a Buddhist a Buddhist. In addition to the various kinds ofmeditation, he shows us how to meditate at meals and be aware of theinterconnections in life. We learn about popular branches of Buddhism, likeZen and Tibetan, with an emphasis on practicing here and now. There is thetheoretical: emptiness, nothingness, impermanence, as well as a very strong dose of the practical: Buddha at work, Buddhist films, environmental concerns,Buddhist celebrations, etc. Gach brings it all together with a light touchand an enthusiasm that makes you want to get up and do something Buddhist.--Brian Bruya ... Read more

Customer Reviews (33)

Worthwhile
A worthwhile read; key concepts and terms explained. Covers plenty of material. Gives details on Theravada, Mahayana and Vahrayana Buddhist traditions. Excellent for beginners and useful source book for the more adept. Add this book to your library.

Complete IDIOT'S guide for REAL IDIOTS
This is a Real Idiot's Guide for idiot's.This is a very confused book confused author,can make heads or tails of what he wants to convey it seems to me that he's making fun of Buddhism.I do not like this book at all.I have been studying Buddhism for more than 20yrs and I bought the book for my grandaughter to start reading,What a mistake and so glad that I looked at it first she would be very confused by now.

Probably the worst book I've read on Buddhism
If you're a general interest reader who wants to know a little more about Buddhism than the average person, you MIGHT like this book....but I doubt it. It's Buddhism-lite at it's worst. The information is at a minimum and and lame attempts at humor are at a maximum. It was downright boring to read. I had to force myself to finish it, with the hope that it would get better. It didn't.

If you REALLY want to learn something about Buddhism, I would recommend "What the Buddha Taught" by Walpola Rahula.

The Most User Friendly Guide to Buddhism
I found this book to be great fun to read. Buddhism is a complex subject, with a variety of different cultural approaches, all of which the author
covers in a simple, clear, entertaining way. The book is packed with Buddhist anecdotes, snippets of interesting information and enough immediate information on the basics to ensure that anyone who is ready for Buddhism, will be inspired to read more and perhaps start practising meditation. Buddhist philosophy is challenging for anyone whose mind has 'been around' this world long enough to now know there is more to all of this than meets the eye!

Not so hot...sorry
Very confusing book, and shy on details. Also contains to much personal interjection (opinions). A better book I would recommend is 'A Buddhism Primer - And Introduction to Buddhism'. ... Read more

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