Customer Reviews

The Best Buddhist Writing 2006

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Over 30 of the leading voices in Buddhism contributed to this 2006 edited tome by Melvin McLeod, the editor-in-chief of The Shambhala Sun.Included are such pillars as The Dalai Lama, Pema Chodron, Jon Kabat-Zinn, and Thich Nhat Hanh. Indeed, the 30 plus authors are the super stars of the Zen and Tibetan Buddhist world. Therefore, I was a bit surprised that many of the contributions underwhelmed me. I eagerly awaited the arrival of this book after devouring the 2004 and 2005 editions.(This is the 3rd in the annual series).That being said, there is still plenty to be excited about. I particularly enjoyed the story by Norman Fischer entitled, "Wash Your Bowls." And the poetic piece on love by John Welwood was very moving. All in all, it was a good read and I'm certainly looking forward to the 2007 edition of "The Best Buddhist Writing."

"The Best Buddhist Writing 2006" is a volume I have been missing in my collection. I don't know how this happened, but I'm very glad I now have a copy!All the articles are excellent and I have really enjoyed reading them.

That story by Diana Atkinson was absolutely incredible. Without having the book right here in front of me to recall specific details, all I can say is that I remember a few of the stories to be good, while most were just regurgitations of Buddhist teachings. I'm sorry but I read Sutras and Philosophical works all the time so none of that is going to impress me. What i like to read are stories like Diana like give you a true experience and that truly move you and teach about the sheer reality of the human condition.

The culture of Buddhism in western society, especially American society, is like a flower in bloom. The writings in this wonderful book are filled with wisdom that allow anyone, whatever your spiritual beliefs, to learn and cope with this chaotic world we live in with more equanimity. It provides the reader with comfort that there are among us, compassionate and spiritual teachers who share their wisdom, so we, the reader, can develope a more happy and compassionate life, free of everyday mental suffering. The first article, "It's Up To You", by Dzigar Kongtrul, provides such great insight into our ego-minds and how we fabricate much of our own suffering, that you will refer back to it over and over again. Once you begin reading this book of dharmic snipits, one begins to understand that the timeless wisdom of Buddhism is waiting for the reader to become absorbed in the writings of these fine authors who have contributed to this book. This is a copilation of dharmic wisdom that enriches the reader, whatever their spiritual beleifes.

This third volume in The Best Buddhist Writing series is a wonderful book for dipping into and out of, perfect for carrying on your travels and when finished for passing on to the curious of mind.

While this collection of 33 articles from the publishers at Shambhala features writing by some big names in Buddhism - the Dalai Lama, Pema Chodron, the Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Thich Nhat Hanh, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, Jon Kabat-Zinn - it's the pieces from the lesser knowns that seem most touching and insightful.

George Crane relates the story of Ani Jinpa, a Western Buddhist nun taking care of street children in Mongolia, a pitifully thankless job miraculously infused with warmth and compassion. Psychologist John Welwood reminds us that in the search for perfect love, we begin and end with ourselves: "Bringing absolute love into human form involves learning to hold the impossibility of ourselves and others in the way the sky holds clouds - with gentle spaciousness and equanimity."

In a beautiful remembrance of her mother's painful process of dying, Mariana Caplan relates how both she and her mother learned to let go. In much the same way, Judith Toy finds the courage to live through her pain and to forgive the man who murdered her sister-in-law and two nephews.

Closer to the hearth, Nancy Hathaway describes the Four Noble Truths of Parenthood, while Norma Fisher shows how the practical, such as cutting vegetables and washing dishes, embodies the spiritual.

Order one of these for yourself, and order another for a friend who's interested in Buddhism.