The Best Buddhist Writing 2005 [Paperback]

Melvin McLeod (Author)

Book Description

Series: Best Buddhist Writing | Publication Date: October 11, 2005

Wise and witty, heartfelt and profound, this second volume in an annual series brings together the year's most notable prose and verse inspired by the power and insight of Buddhist practice. Compiled by the editors of Shambhala Sun , North America's oldest and most widely read Buddhist magazine, the collection offers a lively array of styles, perspectives, and concerns of contemporary Buddhists. The twenty-five talented contributors include familiar favorites as well as some surprising voices who will delight and enlighten the reader, with pieces ranging from personal memoir, adventure travelogue, prison journal, and poetry, to advice for practitioners and wisdom teachings of the masters. Among this year's outstanding selections are: Natalie Goldberg looks at the complex and troubled relationship with the two most important men in her life: her father and her Zen teacher. The Dalai Lama explains Buddhism's signature doctrine of emptiness. Dharma teacher Gaylon Ferguson writes on issues of self-worth and social justice for people of color. Journalist Joan Duncan Oliver reflects on her struggle with twin addictions: "a drink and a man." Thich Nhat Hanh offers personal meditations to help us lead a more wholesome and mindful life. Cognitive psychologist Eleanor Rosch discourses on mind, meditation, and the creative process. Peter Matthiessen ponders the longing for adventure as he travels the Antarctic. Zen teacher John Tarrant tells how he applied a famed koan as his mother was dying. Contributors: Faith Adiele · Geoffrey Shugen Arnold · Rick Bass · Edward Espe Brown · Michael Carroll · Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche · Peter Coyote · John Daido Loori · H. H. the Dalai Lama · Scott Darnell · Gretel Ehrlich · Gaylon Ferguson · Norman Fischer · Gehlek Rimpoche · Natalie Goldberg · Joseph Goldstein · Jeff Greenwald · Erik Hansen · Sam Harris · Joan Duncan Oliver · The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche · Barbara Rhodes · Lewis Richmond · Eleanor Rosch · Andrew Schelling · Gary Snyder · John Tarrant · Thanissaro Bhikkhu · Thich Nhat Hanh · Claude Anshin Thomas · Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche · Francisco J. Varela

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

McLeod, editor in chief of the Shambhala Sun, presents the second volume in this spirited and spiritual series, once again achieving a thought-provoking mix of diverse voices and topics in an assemblage of well-crafted essays, memoirs, and teachings. As he observes, Buddhism is still new to America, and as American Buddhism evolves, it will form a unique facet of the tradition, a union of the wisdom of such Asian masters as the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Gehlek Rinpoche, all contributors to this volume, and such homegrown Buddhists as Natalie Goldberg and Gary Snyder, also present here. The Buddhist vision is ecological, hence the resonant musings of preeminent nature writers Gretel Ehrlich and Rick Bass. Peter Coyote considers "the practice of politics from the perspective of Buddha." Scott Darnell writes about prison, repentance, and Buddhism. Edward Espe Brown takes a Buddhist view of food, and cognitive scientist Eleanor Rosch analyzes the creative process. Meditation, compassion, mindfulness, living a spiritually conscious life in a materialistic culture--all are approached with acuity and artfully elucidated. Donna Seaman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"The writings treat a diversity of subjects with care and depth, yet are thoroughly accessible to lay readers and those with only a casual understanding of Buddhism and seeking to learn more. Very highly recommended."—Wisconsin Bookwatch

"The Best Buddhist Writing 2005 has something to offer most of us with any sort of spiritual proclivity."— About.com

"Delving into Buddhist writing can, sometimes, have the impact of diving blind into a drained swimming pool. The delightful anthology The Best Buddhist Writing 2005 puts some of the water back in the pool."—The Columbus Dispatch

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (October 11, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590302753
• ISBN-13: 978-1590302750
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,346,229 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The writings treat a diversity of subjects with care and depth, November 10, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Best Buddhist Writing 2005 (Paperback)

The Best Buddhist Writing 2005 is an anthology of current essays by a wide variety of learned and spiritual contributors. The second volume in an annual series, The Best Buddhist Writing 2005 includes essays "The Infinite Dot Called Mind" by The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, "Cultivating Wisdom" by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, "Recognizing Our Natural State" by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche with David R. Shlim, M.D., "Nothing Holy: A Zen Primer" by Norman Fischer, and many more. The writings treat a diversity of subjects with care and depth, yet are thoroughly accessible to lay readers and those with only a casual understanding of Buddhism and seeking to learn more. Very highly recommended.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful for anyone, February 21, 2006

By 

Gracie Martini "Gracie" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Best Buddhist Writing 2005 (Paperback)

I am not a Buddhist, nor do I wish to engage in Buddhist chants or rituals. I was amazed reading the stories of other people's transformations. The book offers simple advice that doesn't feel like advice. It's easy ready that just sort of seeps into you and resurfaces when you are stressed. For example, a story told the lesson that you cannot control others, but you can/should (I put in the should part because I am still learning) control yourself, mainly how you react to situations. When spoken these lessons sound mundane and have little bearing but if you read these passages I garuntee at least one of them will touch you.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful introduction to Buddhism in North America, December 31, 2006

By 

Daiho - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Best Buddhist Writing 2005 (Paperback)

"Waking Up At Work" caught my eye while I was flipping through the pages of The Best Buddhist Writing 2005. I was at the time feeling out of sorts about my relationship with my job and while standing in a quiet corner of the bookstore devoured half of Michael Carroll's article before deciding this might be a volume worth taking home.

That was a good decision. It's been one of the more enlightening books I've had the pleasure to read this year. Not because it lead me to a great spiritual awakening, but simply because it features nuanced writing on a variety of interesting topics, everything from reimagining the work place to the pleasures of spending time with children, from the history of Japanese haiku to teachings on mediation from some of the world's great Buddhist masters, from stories of personal redemption from violence and addiction to contemplations on the mysteries of nature.

32 non-fiction articles are collected here under the guidance of Melvin McLeod, Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian bi-monthly Buddhist magazine Shambala Sun. For anyone interested in Buddhism, this volume is a wonderful introduction to how the philosophy is expressed in daily life, from sitting mediation to sitting in the office. And as many of the writers here are North American, it can also serve well those looking for an introduction to trends in North American Buddhism, quite clearly expressed here as the quest to make life meaningful when the rewards of life in a culture of material abundance are not enough.

There are several pages worth of quotable passages from this collection, but as it will probably have resonance with the greatest number of readers, allow me to end with one from "Waking Up At Work." Michael Carroll writes:

"The sober reality we face is this: resisting work's difficulties and hoping for smooth sailing is pointless. Work, indeed all life, is often disappointing and uncertain, and it is futile to expect otherwise. Being hostile toward any of life's difficulties only amplifies our discomfort, and we end up at war with ourselves, arguing with our lives rather than living them."

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