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Introduction to Buddhism: An Explanation of the Buddhist Way of Life
 
 
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Introduction to Buddhism: An Explanation of the Buddhist Way of Life (Paperback)

by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso (Author)
3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
RRP: £7.99
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Product details

  • Paperback: 190 pages
  • Publisher: Tharpa Publications; 2nd Revised edition edition (18 April 2001)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0948006706
  • ISBN-13: 978-0948006708
  • Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.4 x 1.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 11,520 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #17 in  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Buddhism

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Product Description

Review
'A brilliantly clear and concise introduction to this vast subject, helpful to readers of all levels including those who have no previous knowledge. Very highly recommended.' - Yoga & Health Magazine 'This book succeeds admirably in presenting its subject with clarity and insight.....a highly commendable and deeply felt work that I can recommend without hesitation.' - Chalice 'A perfect little journal of Buddhist education with material to challenge any student of Buddhist thought.' - Shambala Sun

Chalice
"This book succeeds admirably... a highly commendable and deeply felt work that I can recommend without hesitation."

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Introduction to Buddhism: An Explanation of the Buddhist Way of Life
57% buy the item featured on this page:
Introduction to Buddhism: An Explanation of the Buddhist Way of Life 3.5 out of 5 stars (15)
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Buddhism Plain and Simple (Arkana)
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Buddhism Plain and Simple (Arkana) 4.4 out of 5 stars (41)
£6.99
The Little Book of Buddhism
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Eight Steps to Happiness: The Buddhist Way of Loving Kindness
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Eight Steps to Happiness: The Buddhist Way of Loving Kindness 5.0 out of 5 stars (8)
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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
3.5 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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134 of 147 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A clear introduction to Buddhism, 19 Aug 2001
By A Customer
Anyone wishes to know what the practice in Buddhism is really about, should read this book. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, is a fully ordained Buddhist monk and teacher from Tibet. I believe he has written about 19 books from the introduction, to actual practices from the Sutra to the Tantra. This is not some MGM or Tourist version, but the real thing. The text is clear with great examples and the constant message is to practice gaining a happy and content mind for oneself as others. It also provides the same teaching as the Buddhist monks in Tibet receive over many years and Geshe Kelsang has managed to present an introduction to these teachings in a language that we can understand, without having a degree in philosophy.

If you really want a realistic introduction to Buddhism than this book is a must read.

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47 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and 100% un-preachy, 23 Jun 2004
I didn't find this book sect-ish at all! I found it clearly explained alot of the aspects of buddhism which can be hard for an agnostic westerner to understand (well me anyway!); other books had avoided illustrating concepts like re-incarnation altogether. It is an unafraid, clear and beatifully written book on the subject. It's up to the reader to take on board the authors analogies, they aren't forced down the readers throat. Fully recommended!
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36 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and To The Point. Excellent Introduction., 7 Dec 2006
By J. Wilding "riverman" (Bath, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
OK: first things first. This book will challange some of your beliefs, so if you don't want that, then don't buy it. Otherwise, buy it, suspend judgement for a few hours, and enjoy! Remember that when the author uses words like 'should' he is only expressing his personal opinion, it's up to us to decide whether we agree with it or not.

Since this sort of book is explaining the views of another religion, one that is very different to what we might be used to, it's always going to be tempting to label it 'cultish' or 'extreme', unless it's read with a very open mind. Having read the book, I can't find anything cultish about it - no one, having read and understood this book, is going to try and abandon their family or have their brain washed or anything like that. Quite the opposite, in fact: by explaining things clearly, the author makes it quite easy for the reader to make up his or her own mind about what's put forward. Sure, it might take a few readings to fully make sense of, and some of the ideas might seem a little strange at first, but I think that's to be expected from a religion that's comparatively new to the West.

I know from having read some of the author's other books that he makes a point of explaining that this strand of Buddhism should be practised in conjunction with your everyday life, not apart from it. This to me seems particularly heart-warming, since you're not being asked to give up your family or friends to get the benefits out of the practice of meditation. I've found some of the things in this book difficult to understand at first, but at least I can come away knowing that I don't have to climb a mountain or become a monk to put the ideas that I did like, into practice.

The clarity of presentation is impressive: maybe some difficult ideas or unfamiliar terminology, but on balance this is a particularly accessible introduction to Buddhism. I think there's even a glossary that explains some of the unfamiliar words. The book repays repeated reading with an open mind: be prepared to have some of your beliefs and assumptions challanged but don't feel as though you *have* to believe anything. Make your own mind up. I think this book was written as a simple explanation rather than a rulebook of what Buddhists should and shouldn't believe.

All in all, this seems like a practical and illuminating book that makes for a rewarding read. Recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Complex
I found this book quite hard to read. It was quite hard to find the point of what was being said, the way it was written was simply confusing.
Published 1 month ago by A. J. Guy

1.0 out of 5 stars Not the best
Rather simplistic even bigotted in parts.
There are many better introductions to be had.
Published 10 months ago by GlynCaeMawr

1.0 out of 5 stars Again?! Same old, same old
After reading this book, I picked up Transform Your Life (by the same author), and lo and behold, over 50% of this book is repeated verbatim within its contents. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Charles A. Miller

1.0 out of 5 stars Maybe I missed the point, but I felt Gyatso was missing the point
I've seen some very positive reviews of this book, so maybe it gets better (or at least explains its bizarre and genuinely disturbing opening). Read more
Published 14 months ago by Greshon

2.0 out of 5 stars Not consistent with the basic idea of Buddhism
My understanding of Buddhism is that it is about rejecting theorising and conceptualising and more about seeing what is before you and living in the moment (although this may be a... Read more
Published 17 months ago by S. Singh

5.0 out of 5 stars A very interesting read but perhaps a little cryptic.
I found this a very interesting read and difficult to put down. Definately worth reading if you are interested in the basic ideas of Buddhism. Read more
Published on 7 May 2007 by M. Linnard

2.0 out of 5 stars Not the most helpful introduction
Having developed a new interest in Buddhism, I bought several introductions. This was the least helpful. Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2005

5.0 out of 5 stars Introduction to Buddhism
I find this book very clear and profound at the same time, and a source of great inspiration. It opens doors to new insights on how we can live a happier life, how to understand... Read more
Published on 9 Oct 2004 by arteutam

3.0 out of 5 stars Good but
maybe a bit sectish or cultish The Dalai lama's opinion seems to be very tollerant if other religions indeed even accepting that some people believe in a duality of two... Read more
Published on 23 Jan 2004 by E. S. Guthrie

5.0 out of 5 stars A clear introduction to Buddhism
Anyone wishes to know what the practice in Buddhism is really about, should read this book. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, is a fully ordained Buddhist monk and teacher from Tibet. Read more
Published on 19 Aug 2001

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