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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Will Buddhism solve the problems of everyday life? No. As the Buddha says, if you've got 83 problems, he can only help with your 84th problem, which is that "You want not to have any problems".
Steve Hagen, a Zen priest from Minnesota, shows a plain and simple route to the heart of the Buddhist way. He offers engaging parables, some drawn from his own experience and some from Buddhist tradition. And he guides the reader through the more difficult concepts without need of baffling Zen riddles. He makes enlightening yourself sound so easy.
By applying the Buddha's four truths and eightfold path to life today, the book aims to let the reader see the world in a new way.
When the Buddha was asked to sum up his teaching in a single word, he said, "awareness". This is a book about awareness. Not awareness of something in particular, but awareness itself--being awake, alert, in touch with what is actually happening.
The few special terms, such as samma and duhkha, are all explained thoroughly the first time they are used. Those unfamiliar with the ideas should make sure they read the book in sequence. But with a book this approachable and conversational, that isn't hard to do.
As with the best devotional books, readers will get as much from it as they are willing to put in. Can you accept the challenge to reconsider your life and outlook on the world? --Frank Pennycook
Product Description
This is a book about awareness - it's about being 'awake' and in touch with what is going on here and now. Practical and down-to-earth, it deals exclusively with the present, not with speculation, theory or belief in some far-off time and place. The teachings of the Buddha are plain and straightforward, and because they remain focused on the moment they are just as relevant now as they have ever been. BUDDHISM PLAIN AND SIMPLE is the book for anyone wanting to discover, or rediscover, the essence of Buddhism.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
IMAGINE THAT YOU SEE PEOPLE SEATED AT a sumptuous banquet. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
IMAGINE THAT YOU SEE PEOPLE SEATED AT a sumptuous banquet. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This man is able to strip buddhism down to what it is really all about (presence and awareness). This book is so simple, highlighting the Buddhas deepest teachings in the way I think the Buddha would've done it himself. Buddha is famous for remaining silent when he was asked a question which had nothing to do with the brass tacks of presence and awareness. This man has done him proud in this book and for anyone interested in Buddhism or spiritual enlightenment this is a must read book. A book called THE ONE also highlights this simplicity deeply and beautifully and together they should help to bring the enlightenment you seek.
83 of 90 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm not sure I would have been able to get to the root of Buddhism as easily without Steve Hagen's book. Because of this book, I see the clarity of the Buddha's message. I respect the Buddha Dharma as it is essentially a scientific and experimental approach. One is not asked to take a leap of faith as so many other religions require. Buddhism is an adaptable approach that can work with any culture imaginable and any religion imaginable. Steve Hagen has presented a work that westerners can digest and easily find application to their everyday lives. Why? Because the core of Buddhism remains in the 4 noble truths and Mr. Hagen has done a superb job at focusing on just that. I fit the sterotype of a western skeptic myself, and can't find any argument against the 4 noble truths. If you are sincere about investigating Buddhism, read about the core of the Buddha's teaching, sincerely apply it to your life, then decide for yourself the value in it. Mr. Hagen's book is not the only way to do this, but I highly recommend it.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the 1st book about buddhism I read. I have read also Buddhism without beliefs, Buddhism is not what you think, Returning to silence, and Everyday Zen. This was an excellent introduction and 'plain and Simple' as the title suggests. Simply an excellent starting point for those interested in learning about buddhism...get your toes wet with this first before moving onto far more indepth texts such as Everyday Zen.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Thought provoking
Very interesting and a highly recommended read! At the end of the day alot of it is just common sense and what you know deep down, but to read it reminds you how to enjoy life by... Read more
Published 18 days ago by Susan M. Shires
Book review
I ordered this for my mum who is 90 this year and bought herself a buddha and then expressed an interest in reading about Buddhism. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Becky
Great introduction to buddhism
This book is very easy to read and concise. Buddhism and its precepts are explained very clearly. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in this subject.
Published 2 months ago by s fortunel
Pleasant reading
I think this book is among the clearest and truest things I have ever read. At some points I felt the author risked slipping into dumbed-down territory in order to illustrate a... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Newton123
A breath of fresh air!
As lots of reviewers have already commented, this book is a breath of fresh air amongst the countless other books written about Buddhism. Read more
Published 3 months ago by squidgyk
Judge THIS book by its cover.
I came to this book looking for 'something', what I found was much greater.
It is not a book of answers, it provides the reader with the desire to ask the questions and... Read more
It is not a book of answers, it provides the reader with the desire to ask the questions and... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. S. Hooper
very neat, if you only read one book on buddhidsm, get this
everything has already been said by other reviewers. great book on the philosophy. hagen has written an equally greak book about meditation called meditaion now or never
Published 5 months ago by asp
good introduction to some core aspects of buddhism
This book is a good introduction to some of the core aspects of buddha's teachings (although not so much on meditation methods). Read more
Published 7 months ago by Dr. Jc Wilson
I am none the wiser after reading this book
I want to know what Buddhism is all about - and 44 reviewers so far have given this book five stars and say it is the best book out there to explain Buddhism to the beginner. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Suze
Consise Read
If you want to know what Buddhism is about with out all the mumbo jumbo this is the book for you.
Published 11 months ago by Bauchmeister
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