Customer Reviews

Heart of Buddha's Teaching

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My approach to this book is different than the other reviewers. I am not a man of faith. I do not believe in the existence of God and I believe the whole issue is unimportant. More important than the existence of God (which is a question neither side can settle) is the question of how to live our lives now. I came to this book as I always come to religious writings and practices; will this help me to understand others or myself better? Will this teach me to be more loving, to live more mindfully, with more compassion?
From this point of view, this is a wonderful book. Not because it answers all questions (or any questions for that matter). If anything it creates more ambiguities, it raises more challenges. That is a good thing. Many of the other reviewers seem to react to Thich Nhat Hahn based on whether or not his is the True Buddhism or just one man's opinion. Fair enough. But unless you are so fortunate as to have some sort of satori or God decides to drop in for a chat what else do you ever have but one person's opinion? It seems to me that what we all do is find something that seems to make sense to you, a practice that carries you along your path and you practice. Thich Nhat Hahn will help most readers to do this. This is a man of extraordinary faith who is apparently equally diligent in trying to live his faith. I do not know about the other readers but this man is a wonderful and unnerving challenge to me in my ideas on how to live my life.
Throughout the book the author suggests very simple practices to improve mindfulness and diligence. He calls us back to the breath always. In my experience, whether doing yoga, tai chi, chi-kung, kung fu, meditation or just plain living this is always the beginnings of real practice.
The presentation of Buddhists dogma that the other reviewers find so wonderful or controversial is, I believe, very well done and is as clear as could be hoped. It is also very arcane. I was not aware that there were Twelve Levels of Independent Co-Arising, Seven Factors of Awakening, Six Paramitas, Five Powers, Four Immeasurable Minds, Three Bodies of Buddha, Two Truths and, yes, a Partridge in a Pear Tree. Sorry, I could not help myself. My point is that a lot of this part of the book is probably most useful after having been read, lived and read again. For someone looking for a true introduction, this part of the book will seem a little much. Parts of it seem a little PC as well such as the occasional emphasis on sex abuse. I cannot imagine that was a burning issue back in the days of the Buddha. This is not a problem for me- it just shows that the author's religion is a living one.
Wonderfully though, what also comes through, is the author's spirit- that of a gentle, compassionate and strong person. I have not read any of his other books. After this I will read more. I have already found some of the practices helpful and will continue to try to integrate them into my life. Give this book a chance. I do not think it will answer all of your questions. How nice would that be if we could get that from a book? It will give you a deeper understanding of Buddhist's beliefs and practices. Some of the practices suggested may help you to live your life. What more could you hope for?

This is been the most concise and well-organized analysis of a this complex and difficult subject I've ever read. The book is laid out with subjects grouped sensibly so that you can follow a natural progression from one area to another, and it's possible to navigate the book to pick out those areas of particular interest to the reader. In addition, it's more than just dry analysis: There's passion and warmth to Hanh's writing, and his spirituality comes through even in the most academic areas of discussion. As an agnostic, I'm seldom drawn to religious practice, but after having read this book, I am more sympathetic to Buddhism than to any of the Western faiths I've been exposed to. A wonderful introduction to a beautiful world view.

This is a good book - I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars - and 3 and a half is not available - as I write this I'm still not sure if it's getting 3 or 4 stars.

Before I bought this book I (like you) wanted to read the reviews of others who have read the book. Trinity's review for some reason caught my attention and kept popping into my head as I read the book. Really just one theme - "Buddhism For A Generation Weaned On Mr. Rogers" specifically Trinity's view of the language.

There were times where the language was too flowery. I know I'm reading about and am in the space of Buddhism and that this type of criticism goes against my preconceived notions of Buddhism, but it just bugged me here or there and I got distracted.

My Wondering Monkey Brain aside I thought this book was a good next step. A good exploration into Buddhism that goes beyond the introductory level. That's what I was looking for - a next step onto the eightfold path or Buddhism 102.

There are some very good things in this book. Very good detail into other avenues of Buddhism that I was not aware of. See the table of content. Part 1 and 2 I found excellent and familiar. Parts 3 and 4 were new and hard to follow, but all in all contained very good detail and specific areas and information.

Again - this is a good 2nd step. If you're looking for a little more than you're used to or a little more in-depth view into Buddhism this is a good book.

Good - not great. I'm still torn between giving a 3 or 4 star rating. Reluctantly I'm giving it a 3.

Thich Nhat Hanh sounds like a fantastic man and you could feel his goodness and love coming through each chapter.

The Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk uses his simple, straightforward writing to explain the very core of Buddhism, presenting Buddhism as way of thinking and a well-traveled path toward enlightenment.

He begins with the Turning the Dharma Wheel Sutra, the classic tale of Buddha's awakening, and then proceeds through the basic core concepts of Buddhist terminology: Four Noble Truths, The Noble Eightfold Path, The Three Dharma Seals, The Three Doors of Liberation, The Twelve Links of Causation, The Three Jewels, The Six Harmonies, The Five Powers, The Five Wonderful Precepts and The Four Immeasurable Minds.

I found this book to be the most accessible and most complete introduction to Buddhism. Thich Nhat Hanh explains things in a simple, clear, and concise manner.

It is a well written book in sense that is generally easy to understand. I can't however say that this is the best book on buddhism because this is the first one I ever read on this subject. I would recommend it just because it conveys the divine message devoid of complicated language thus leaving you rested enough so that you can interpret and analize without you needing to "rack your brain".

This book requires the reader to explore the interelatedness of all the Buddhist doctrines. I read this at the same time as Bhante Gunaratana's *Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness* and found that it provided a depth and meaning that Gunaratana's simpler exposition did not. That's not to say that I was not confused at various points! But Thich Nhat Hanh's warmth and loving-kindness reaches right off the page to express the inner meaning of the Buddha's teaching in daily life. Well worth digging into.

This is been the most concise and well-organized analysis of a this complex and difficult subject I've ever read. The book is laid out with subjects grouped sensibly so that you can follow a natural progression from one area to another, and it's possible to navigate the book to pick out those areas of particular interest to the reader. In addition, it's more than just dry analysis: There's passion and warmth to Hanh's writing, and his spirituality comes through even in the most academic areas of discussion. As an agnostic, I'm seldom drawn to religious practice, but after having read this book, I am more sympathetic to Buddhism than to any of the Western faiths I've been exposed to. A wonderful introduction to a beautiful world view.

As someone who'd been interested in Bhuddism for years, I picked this book out of a selection of book club discontinued sale items. After owning it for several years, I find it amazing that I found it as a cast off. This is the best primer for Bhuddism I've read.

However, this book is not just for beginners. It's for anyone who wants to remain on their path and make a life of improving the world they create on that path. Suffering has an origion, but it also can have an end.

Thich Nhat Hahn introduces us to the Noble Eightfold Path & the concept of "mindfulness" which he considers an important cornerstone to the practice of making your life right. It's not easy, but it is highly rewarding & your life will improve through diligence with these teachings.

The book also contains an explanation of many other Bhuddist concepts which become more & more useful as the understanding sinks in. You'll find yourself returning to them in order to make the benefits of practice manifest themselves in your life.

Lastly, this book dispels many of the myths & misunderstandings of Bhuddism in the West such as our often mistaken take on Bhuddism's view of suffering; though it is often inevitable, suffering CAN be changed. Hahn explains how many errors came to be out of teachings about suffering & sets the right views before us.

If you've ever been interested in Bhuddism but can find no answers, or are a practicing Bhuddist who needs clarification without a teacher, this book is the one to have. I love it.

I can't really adequately describe the effect this book has had on me. Yes, it's changed my life. Written in very simple English, so that even the most inexperienced student of Buddhism (that would be me!) is able to understand, this book describes eloquently, and with a sweet and simple passion, the key concepts of Buddha's teaching.
Included are beautiful examples of what can happen when we incorporate such concepts as Right Thinking, Right Action, Right Mindfulness, amongst others. I do want to add - so the reader isn't in the slightest bit misled - that in the Buddhist context, the use of "Right" refers NOT to a moral definition of right and wrong, but rather the difference between beneficial, and nonbeneficial trains of thought and action. It appears that people of virtually any religious path may benefit from the wisdom within this marvellous text.

It's the first book I've read by the author - but it certainly won't be the last.

I still have yet to actually finish this book. Once I get half way through I start over from the beginning, because it is SO good. I now enjoy washing my dishes. I highly recommend this book.