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Title: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Buddhism by Gary Gach, Michael Wenger ISBN: 0-02-864170-1 Publisher: Alpha Books Pub. Date: 07 August, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.2 (20 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: An excellent overview for the beginner, or for a refresher
Comment: Initially, I had great skepticism - c'mon a "Complete Idiots" book to get me started down the Buddhist path? Really? It just seemed so...so...*American*. But, I had to start somewhere, and my good friend Ben recommended it to me, so I gave it a shot. Now, having finished the book, I realize I owe both my friend and Gary Gach an immense debt of gratitude - this book is really amazing.
One problem I (and many others) have had with other beginning Buddhism books is that the format isn't one that's easy to soak up; the flow isn't as logical as this one's, or not enough detail or context is given to drive points home to a more understandable place. Gach has done a phenomenal job of keeping things simple enough not to overwhelm a newcomer, yet goes into enough detail to keep things interesting and real.
Gach goes beyond teaching the basic belief system into giving examples of how to apply what we've learned in real life, and where else to look for more information. He offers dozens of anecdotes, many koans, a plethora of historical tales and data points, a glossary, and a multitude of other items. One small criticism I have of this book is that he very often doesn't cite his sources when giving statistics.
Throughout the book, Gach returns to important concepts, but not in a manner which I found to be condescending at all - it was merely helpful to be reminded of X, Y, and Z at certain points throughout the book, because they were important to the current subject. The author gives the reader a very solid foundation to build his or her beliefs upon, should the reader desire, including a rich and detailed historical background of Buddhism throughout the world.
I will be unreservedly suggesting this book to anyone who expresses an interest in this spiritual path.
Rating: 5
Summary: I am the author of this book ...
Comment: Well, I'm prejudiced: I'm the author of this book. In my book, this is arguably THE book for anyone wishing a simple, direct, and comprehensive survey of Buddhism, balancing theory and practice, the sacred. and the mundane. Told from a typically pragmatic, multicultural American Buddhist perspective, and with frequent drops of humor, emphasis is placed on separate schools (Vipassana, Zen, Pure Land, Tibetan) within Buddhism, as well as Buddhism within the context of Christianity, Judaism, etc.
Informative for the curious, valuable for beginners, and a sturdy reference for those already on the path. Told throughout with loving speech.
As with my previous book, there is a website with additional information, plus hyperlinks. All are accessible from my home page, http://word.to En-joy!
Rating: 4
Summary: An good overview and a start on the White Path
Comment: First, one has to accept what this book's (almost all of the series)
purpose is: overview and a guide/introduction. Also you have to
consider the style of these Idiot books (informal; light; humorous) as well.
Yeah, that's Right View :-)
In that light, this book is a very good (and most of the time funny)
introduction to Buddhism. It covers the basics: 4 Noble Truths,
8fold Noble Path and covers the basics of the major sects. All in
a relatively easy to understand manner in a conversational tone.
Of course, one can quibble about the depth of detail (and I do),
but again, I don't think that was the purpose of the book.
Yes, the books does slow down and gets less
cohesive once the author gets into the impact on other disciplines
(and that's what makes me take one star off), but overall, I would recommend this to anyone curious about Buddhism overall.
My only major quibbles are that it would have been nice if the
author mentioned where to go for more information about the sect in the text.
In Gassho,
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Title: The Complete Idiot's Guide(R) to Hinduism by Linda Johnsen, Jody P. Schaeffer, David Frawley ISBN: 0028642279 Publisher: Alpha Books Pub. Date: 11 October, 2001 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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Title: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Zen Living by Gary McClain, Eve Adamson ISBN: 0028639588 Publisher: Alpha Books Pub. Date: 26 November, 2000 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Taoism by Brandon Toropov, Chad Hansen ISBN: 0028642627 Publisher: Alpha Books Pub. Date: 05 March, 2002 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: The Complete Idiot's Guide(R) to Understanding Islam by Yahiya Emerick, Qasim Najar, Quasim Najar, Yahiya John Emerick ISBN: 0028642333 Publisher: Alpha Books Pub. Date: 05 October, 2001 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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Title: Buddhism for Dummies by Jonathan Landaw, Stephan Bodian ISBN: 0764553593 Publisher: For Dummies Pub. Date: 24 February, 2003 List Price(USD): $21.99 |
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