Buddha Paintings, Jewelry, Statues & Art

A Great Introduction - This book is great for people who are just beginning to study Buddhism, like myself. This book discusses the basic principles of Buddhism's, and although it does get a little confusing what with all the teachings (i.e. the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, the Three Doors of Liberation, the Three Dharma Seals ect.) it is very informative, and makes me very excited to continue to learn more about this religion/type of living!

Very Complete - Many people like Thich Nhat Hanh's works for his un-candid simplicity. This book I feel is for both the initiated practitioners and uninitiated practitioners alike. Thay covers so very much in this book, it is a bit baffling to figure where the review should begin. When I originally purchased this book, I was looking for someone to expound a bit on all the "dogma" I believed I saw in Buddhism. I had read a few of Thich Nhat Hanh's earlier works and had always been impressed by his "unscholarly" approach to the Buddha Dharma.

Nhat Hanh truly delivered to me what I came looking for, the book is so very thorough. He literally covers just about everything one needs to know about the "ritualistic or discipline oriented" side of practice here. Thich Nhat Hanh's Zen is a bit playful often, and although we see glimpses of that here, I have to say it almost IS a bit scholarly. It's truly a very exceptional book, sure to bring you more growth to personal practice.

Please enjoy the book:)
 

Great book for western understanding - Lama Surya Das enlightens the understanding of Buddhism in a easy to understand way. Beginners as well as purists will be greatly appreciate his eight steps to enlightenment. The book and stories within make it easy for anyone to comprehend. A MUST
READ.

Wonderful for those new to the path, and those on it - I re-read many books every few years because they often have something new to offer to me. This is one of those books that seems to grow and change with the reader. Highly recommended.

Best Introduction to Vajrayana I've Seen - This is an incredibly good (the best I've come across) introduction to Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or Mantrayana). The author has also written the fine sequel "Awakening the Buddhist Heart" as well as "Awakening to the Sacred" (which I didn't like as much as the others. He's also written a book of Buddhist stories or myths entitled, "The Snow Lion's Turquoise Lament" which I didn't find all that impressive. But the book at hand is, IMHO, his best. No wonder it's a best seller Buddhist book. Since the author is a Westerner, he can describe Tibetan Buddhism (and Buddhism in general) in a simple, direct manner without using lots of Tibetan/Asian mythology, assumptions, etc. It's relatively easy to pick out such things in other people's religions but not so easy to do your own. Kind of like withdrawing your projections (per both Jung and Mahamudra). Surya Das writes in an easy-to-read, engaging style that's almost sure to please the reader. And, most impressive, he doesn't claim to have all the answers. Thus, my favorite quote from this book:

p. 12 "The French writer Andre Gide once wrote, `believe those who are seeking truth. Doubt those who find it.'"

This was in addition to the Hasidic story of the Baal Shem Tov about his evaluation of a potential son-in-law. He liked that the son-in-law admitted not knowing the answers to the questions. An open mind can learn. A closed mind cannot.
So, keep an open mind about this book. It's great. You can follow it up by reading more Surya Das or by reading some of Pema Chodron's works. She also includes practical activities and meditations to help one along the path of life, whether Buddhist or not.

Not called "Radical" for nothing! Initially borrowed this book from the library to see if it was worth buying; thought I would just entertain myself, if nothing else. Read many other meditational books but this has been the ONLY effective one that gave me the tools to help deal with the vicious cycle of self-negative thoughts. These tools are not "airy-fairy" & has been written in a most excellent way with plenty of examples of what other people have gone through & how to have compassion towards oneself. It just takes an open & willing heart. This book has been so life altering that I'm looking forward to joining one of the vipassana meditation retreats held by the author. Thanks Tara for writing this book for me!

Life As It Is - As the title of this marvelous book indicates, Tara Brach shows each and every one of us the path towards accepting our life as it is. This doesn't mean, as you may be wondering, never strive in the direction of change. It's just that, well, change is pretty much a given anyhow. Tara's philosophy (not necessarily writing style) reminds me of Thich Nhat Hanh and his works on mindfulness. Like the book Anger by Nhat Hanh, Tara proposes we must embrace our emotions and perceived shortcomings with the love a mother would have for it's child. There is an absolute plethora of Buddhist/Self Help books on the shelves these days that aren't really worth mentioning, but this book stands out. The most important factor is that you don't even need to be practicing Buddhism to benefit from his wisdom. Just as I have learned from such Christian writers as Thomas Merton and Anthony de Mello, Christians (or any religious tradition's followers) can learn much from this. It's the kind of imperfect life experience all of us can relate to in her work that appeals to me. She's down to earth, introspective (as opposed to preachy), and compassionately skilled in all of her words. Tara Brach holds a Ph.D. and is a clinical psychologist in addition to being a lay Buddhist priest and vipassana meditation guide. In Washington, D.C. she founded the "Insight Meditation Community." She also participates in running various workshops nationally. If your making a "books to buy" list for 2004, put this on there; it's genuinely worth the read. Thanks Tara.