Customer Reviews

Blue Jean Buddha : Voices of Young Buddhists

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I'm a young American (20-something) and I am so happy that someone is finally paying attention to my generation of practicing Buddhists! This book is interesting whether you're a young person just discovering Buddhism, or an older person interested in the new spirtiual motivations in youth culture today. The only weakness I can mention about this book is that it does not cover a wide range of Buddhist traditions. I wish, for example, it had included interviews with young Buddhists in the Soka Gakkai tradition which is one of the most youthful schools of Buddhism I know of in the United States these days. In any case, I am just glad someone finally published a book like this one. I also highly recommend a little gift book written by a 20-something American Buddhist named Taro Gold called "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life: A Little Book of Eastern Wisdom." I hope more and more young Buddhist voices will be found in print in the near future.

Sumi Loundon and company's BLUE JEAN BUDDHA is a rarity in several regards. For one thing, Loundon and her writers manage to lucidly articulate many ideas and feelings about culture, pop culture, age, and Buddhism that have previously proven to be precarious ground for authors to tread (this is particularly true of Loundon's first-class analyses throughout the book). For another, it switches gears gracefully--for any book, not just a dharma book--between being a sociological study (pieces like Kenneth Lee's "Drugs and the Dharma" and Thich Nu Pho-Chau's "Life as a Vietnamese Nun" exemplify this); a unique and very broad dialogue on philosophy, cultural ideologies, psychology, service, and peace (Claudia Heiman's "Winning over Depression," Noah Levine's "A Dharma Punx Path," and Adrienne Stauffer's "Freeing Tibet, Freeing Myself"); and very often literary nonfiction (Seth Castleman's "If a Nice Jewish Boy Sits in a Cave, Does He Make a Difference?" and Lillian Guild's "The Perfect Buddhist Boyfriend"). And lastly, its pieces burst with a very special kind of honesty about spiritual pursuits and the many facets of American life that only the spirit of youth could offer (Hanuman Goleman's "I'm a Mutt"). BLUE JEAN BUDDHA is fresh, insightful, and right-on. All of the bull's-eyes it manages to hit combined with its heart and humor make it an engaging read for anyone and an essential volume for any Buddhist's library.

This book is the rarest of spiritual books: one of honesty, and problematic outcome. Even the self-absorbed essays, being almost ingenous in their expression, lend to the honesty of belief and expression.

You know, even the best of spiritual books have to me that breezy tone of "you too can have the perfect life in only five minutes a day..." And, if the author recounts some of their past troubles, somehow they seem to have been effortlessly overcome with no residual effects.

This book is different. It is a collection of essays by young Buddhists, primarily in their late 20's and early 30's.

Many of the essays are excellent. "The Perfect Buddhist Boyfriend" depicts the disintegration of a relationship in which both partners have adopted all the accountremonts of being with-it young Buddhists. Similarly, there's the rude awakening of a young American Buddhist at a Tibetan retreat who, after several days, realizes that the wonderful authentic soup he his being served may be authentic, but it's Ramen that he could purchase at any supermarket. And why were they all isolated here meditating hours on end amongst themselves instead of going out and helping people. (The essay's conclusion is less satisfactory to me.)

My favorite essays are by those who have grown up in Buddhistm. "Growing Up with the Dharma Bums" is a riot, as the author in 1970's Rochester has to explain to his friend's mom why he cannot eat meat, straightforwardly, but reluctantly, informimg her that his parents are Buddhists and believe that killing animals is wrong. And at school he and his best friend are quick to remonstrate when they spy other kids burning up ants under the magnifying glass!

I myself gave copies of this book to each of my teenage sons. I showed them the introduction which begings with the following quotes:

"I did a lot of drugs before I was I Buddhist"
"Well, I did a lot of drugs because I was a Buddhist"
"Was asking my girlfriend to get an abortion un-Buddhist?"

What self-respecting teen wouldn't be hooked on these, at least to open the book. One of mine actually read some of the essays. You've got to sow the seeds and hope that some may take, if not now later.

And why did I want them to read the much less exciting essays?

Because the honesty of the voice, the struggles, the insecurities, the humility, the uncertainty admidst the seeking and moments of joy and revelation constitute (for me)descriptions of those on a real spiritual path, which I would being doing well to emulate in my own life.

What does Buddhism really mean to young people in a century when the Dalai Lama's image is used to sell computers & "Nirvana" is a rock band?

In his Foreword, Jack Kornfield poses the question: "What if Buddha were born in North America, in our times?"

Sumi Loundon, born into the North American Buddhist culture & coming into her third decade of life, is also asking: "What is being a Buddhist in today's Western world?" As she finds her answers, she also finds she is not alone & so evolved this collection of enchanting, first-person essays from young Buddhists all over this globe.

Like pebbles on a beach, each story is fascinating as the writers tell of their strife & boredom, yearning & bliss, hectic lives & momentary glimpses of spiritual stillness.

For a look at the world through another window where our senses & our monkey minds are engaged as never before, pick up a copy of BLUE JEAN BUDDHA & if you don't get it on the first read - keep it! Then take it down during a particularly hyper-active period in your life & see how others have walked through their chaos into the Buddhic balance & life-affirming consciousness.

Well worth the read! Gave me much about which to think & write!

I'm a young American (20-something) and I am so happy that someone is finally paying attention to my generation of practicing Buddhists! This book is interesting whether you're a young person just discovering Buddhism, or an older person interested in the new spirtiual motivations in youth culture today. I am glad someone finally published a book like this one. I also recommend a gift book written by a 20-something American Buddhist named Taro Gold called "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life." I hope more and more young Buddhist voices will be found in print in the near future.

My family has been Buddhists for generations, however, I, like everyone else has to find my own way to the Middle Path. I have just entered my middle ages, so I am a little older than those who have shared their stories with us in the book, but reading it was like meeting a friend I had been looking for.
There are always more questions than answers as we continue to try; going back to our cushions again and again. There are questions we don't even know how to ask. Reading this book presented directions as well as comfort as I consider the path ahead of me.

As a young, serious Buddhist, I always wondered if there were others who shared my lifestyle and worldview. To my delight, I found that I am not alone. For me personally, "Blue Jean Buddha" is definitely a book whose time has come.
The book is down-to-earth and sincere, full of honest essays about how young people are implementing the Dharma into their lives, personal, public, and professional. It certainly is not New Agey, "too far out", cliche, or irrelevant. (I was anxious about the possibility of BJB being so, but it did not disappoint me!)The book explores the interchanges between Buddhism, Generation X and Y, and American pop culture, among other topics. It has no agenda except to portray Buddhism as it plays itself out, right now.
In many ways, I feel like BJB is a historical snapshot of some of the people who will be among the most influential shapers of Buddhism in the West in the near future. I was happy for this warning!
I definitely appreciated the vast diversity of Buddhist traditions and expressions represented in BJB. As an introduction, the book provides teases and initial glances into Buddhism, and does not purport to be a definitive statement by examining details. There are gaps, because there are still issues in modern Buddhism yet to be debated and/or resolved. But that is the point of BJB, it keeps you thinking, wondering, critically inquiring. I learned a lot from this book and totally recommend it to anyone interested in young people, and the future of Buddhism in the West.
The deep, thoughtful, and important reflections and rhetorical questions offered in THE CONCLUSION is WORTH THE WHOLE PRICE OF THE BOOK ALONE. Editor Sumi Loundon does not pretend to know all the answers, and after reading all these possibilities, I realized I didn't predict the future either! These are fast, exciting times we live in right now, and this is a perfect book to have along for the ride.

I loved this book! It gave me a feeling of happiness to know that I am not the only young Buddhist going through lifes trials and tribulations. However, you do not have to be Buddhist to fully enjoy the compassionate tales of life experienced through the hearts and minds of the many young individuals featured in this book. In the last review I read regarding this book, the reviewer stated that there was not enough coverage of the Soka Gakkai tradition, but this is not the case...As a matter of fact there are two complete essays about this new tradition contained within the books' 232 pages. If you're looking for a book that will enlighten you with fresh perspectives from young Buddhist practitioners, then look no further...Blue Jean Buddha delivers!

This book is a good read for people overwhelmed by religious texts written by spiritual teachers. It is always nice to read what peers and contemporaries have to say on a subject like religion. This is not a book to pick up and read if you want to learn the fundamentals of Buddhist philosophy, but it is a wonderfully reassuring book for those looking for a sort of real time guide to how Buddhism fits into everyday life.

The contributors to this book were beautifully honest and allowed the readers into very intimate parts of their lives. That honesty is what keeps the reader involved in the book and steers these essays away from a Chicken Soup For the Soul sort of feel.

Since elementary school, I have been raised a serious Buddhist and would often wonder if there were others who shared my life experiences, lifestyle, and worldview. I always wanted to find or else write a book of Buddhism for young people in America. And needless to say, when I stumbled onto Blue Jean Buddha, I was estactic. I was delighted to know there are others out there who share some of my deepest interests and concerns. BJB is definitely a book whose time has come.

Polished, succinct, and effective, the collection of essays in BJB are a true testament about what is happening between the younger generations and spirituality in America.
In a way, I was anxious to see if the book, dealing with pop culture and such, was too much hype, too New-Agey, or lofty. But I was far from being disappointed. It is down-to-earth, and accessible, without sacrificing its profundity.

THE deep and important reflections the editor asks at THE CONCLUSION IS WORTH THE WHOLE PRICE OF THE BOOK. The stories and essay were great, but what mattered most is the way in which the conclusion synthesized inquiry, and emphasized critical thinking about the current and future status of Buddhism here in the West. Sumi Loundon does not purport to know all the answers. And she leaves readers with a feeling that neither do they! I really appreciated the chance to dwell on the rhetorical questions she asks. They are not philosophical or academic neccessarily, but real and practical, which makes them all the more worthwhile.

Anyone interested in American youth, and spirituality at this current time will definitely benefit from reading this book.