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Buddhism Plain and Simple
 
 

Buddhism Plain and Simple (Paperback)

~ (Author) "THE MAN KNOWN TO US AS BUDDHA lived in northern India (present-day Nepal) in the sixth century B.C.E..." (more)
Key Phrases: leaning mind, frozen view, right wisdom, Ultimate Truth, Thich Nhat Hanh (more...)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (142 customer reviews)

List Price: $10.95
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  Kindle Edition, August 12, 2009 $7.88 -- --
  Hardcover, September 30, 1997 -- $11.16 $2.31
  Paperback, December 28, 1998 $7.88 $5.00 $2.53
  Audio, Cassette, Abridged, Audiobook -- $54.22 $7.39

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Buddhism Plain and Simple + Buddhism for Beginners + Buddhism For Dummies (For Dummies (Religion & Spirituality))
Price For All Three: $33.19

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  • This item: Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen

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  • Buddhism For Dummies (For Dummies (Religion & Spirituality)) by Jonathan Landaw

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

You might want to digest this book slowly, a few pages at a time. Although Zen teacher Steve Hagen has a knack for putting the philosophy of Buddhism in a "plain and simple" package, it may take a while to sink in. There is so much there. Seeing reality, realizing the wisdom of the self, breaking free of dualistic thinking--this is pretty heady stuff. Thankfully, Hagen passes it along in the form of examples from life, psychological tidbits, and stories from Buddhist teachers past and present. And when it clicks in, it can be life-transforming. Hagen explains this shift in outlook and how the fundamental way we look at the world affects everything we do. As an outline, Hagen follows the basic teachings of the Buddha, and we see that, rather than dogmatic truths, they are reminders for us as we reconsider the life we have taken for granted for so long. As it turns out, Buddhism is life, plain and simple. --Brian Bruya


From Library Journal

Hagen's concise work, a brief introduction to Zen Buddhism, is arranged in a straightforward manner with lucid explanations. He describes techniques for meditation, making this a rather practical recording. Reading this abridgment of his own work, the Zen priest's soft, serene voice is pleasing to the ear; the pace is unhurried, allowing the listener to grasp the material. Libraries with a demand for New Age/Eastern religions should have this tape.AMichael T. Fein, Catawba Valley Community Coll., Hickory, NC
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 176 pages
  • Publisher: Broadway (December 29, 1998)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0767903323
  • ISBN-13: 978-0767903325
  • Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (142 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,153 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #8 in  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Buddhism > Zen Philosophy
    #24 in  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Eastern Religions > Eastern Philosophy
    #85 in  Books > Nonfiction > Philosophy > Eastern

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142 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (142 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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85 of 86 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars One of Those Rare Books, May 18, 2000
Over the last fifteen years, a growing number of books have shown up in trade paperbackland on the subject of Buddhism. More seem to arrive daily, invited or not. Most of them are aimed at the general reader and beginning buddhist. This makes it progressively more difficult to sort out the superlative from the merely satisfactory.

Of all that I've read [and I've read them all] "Buddhism: Plain and Simple" stands out from the rest. Steve Hagen succeeds in one of the hardest tasks in writing: being straightforward without being dull; being concise without seeming frugal. No essential point of Buddhism is left uncovered, yet the author never pontificates or short-changes the reader.

The book is a gem of both inspiration and practicality. It takes a subject that often seems far too idealistic and places it at a level that resonates with the daily Western experience of life. It is a "quick read" without ever coming off as "Buddhism For Dummies." All this and at a price that will make it a convenient and affordable present for all those friends that have so often asked us, "what the heck is Buddhism?"

Find it, read it and buy another copy for someone you love. Better yet, give it to someone you don't love. It might just change their life.

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181 of 191 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The best book to get started in Buddhism, March 13, 2000
By A Customer
"~I am a newcomer to Buddhism, but when I get a hankering to learn about any subject, I read about it voraciously. This has been almost counter-productive in studying Buddhism since, as Hagen stresses, no words can really describe the reality we seek. In fact, I have read several books about Buddhism, Zen, and the like; but I own just two: Buddhism Plain and Simple, and Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh. By far, Hagen's book is my favorite.

the wrong reasons -- to control my emotions, to sort out moral dilemmas, and to find peace of mind. Through Buddhism, I've made great progress in all those areas by simply eliminating them as goals and just experiencing life moment by moment. This may sound odd if you haven't practiced Buddhism, but you will quickly appreciate this lesson after reading Hagen's book. You will discover that the practice of Buddhism does not involve traveling to the Himalayas or meditating in the forest. You will learn that you don't have to abandon your religion or your friends or your job. The word Buddhism stems from the Sanskrit word for Buddha, the awakened one. Buddhism is simply the path of awakening. This book is a wonderful guide on that path. You will not be the same after reading it.

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43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The buddha-dharma, March 2, 2001
By David S. Heier (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
The best little book on Buddhism that is available. Masterfully written. This book needs to be studied, not just read. It is worthwhile to read again and again.  If you only read one book on Buddhism, then this is the one to read. The author is an American Zen teacher whose clarity of explanation will appeal to the American Zen student.

Steve Hagen prefers to call Buddhism "the buddha-dharma." He states that "It's a process, an awareness, an openness, a spirit of inquiry -- not a belief system, or even (as we normally understand it) a religion. It is more accurate to call it 'the teaching of the awakened,' or the buddha-dharma."

We start by learning the four truths: (1) life involves suffering; (2) this suffering arises within us; (3) we can end the most profound and existential forms of suffering; and (4) the way we end this suffering is by following the eightfold path. The existential angst we experience from the unanswered question of what life is about is at the heart of our suffering. The buddha-dharma is like a journey. By following the middle way we can reach enlightenment and nirvana.

There are three kinds of suffering, or duhkha: (1) pain, both physical and mental; (2) change; and (3) being. Our goal is to just see. We must awaken from our confusion. We need to see reality for what it is.

The eightfold path is a concrete way for us to practice bringing about the cessation of duhkha. The eight aspects of this path are right view, right intention, right speech, right action , right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right meditation.

Nothing in this book is offered as something you are to believe. Somehow through his life of contemplation the Buddha was able to formulate these notions. They are simply a guide. The Buddha can only point the way. It is left for each one of us to find the way for ourselves.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars a depraved mind meditates
The title gives away the charlatan writing this book. Any slight working knowledge of Buddhism will tell you as much. Read more
Published 6 days ago by Michael J. Smith

5.0 out of 5 stars It's like having a teacher in a book.
The way this book is broken up into parts then chapters and then sections makes you feel more like you're listening to someone than just reading some book about some guy's take on... Read more
Published 9 days ago by W. S. Huston

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book
I recently gave my last well-worn copy of this book, Buddhism Plain and Simple, to a valued friend, so I needed to purchase another copy for myself (and I have given several... Read more
Published 1 month ago by M H

1.0 out of 5 stars Things Buddhism never taught. Or, this book lauds materialism
I was just looking over Steve Hagen's book, Buddhism Plain and Simple. He is supposed to know a lot about Mind with capital "M", after all he received transmission from Katagiri... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Denise Anderson

5.0 out of 5 stars Life Changing-Plain and Simple
It was 5 years ago now that I read this, and it still holds as the most life changing book ive ever read. Read more
Published 1 month ago by The Duder

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview of Buddhism
I have read several other books on the topic of Buddhism, but this is the first one I've read that really provides a helpful explanation of its concepts, principles, and views of... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Greg Klinkel

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a life-changing book

I have plenty more 'involved' books on Buddhism, yet this is the one I always come back to. I have read this book countless times already. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Laura Rinke

5.0 out of 5 stars Infact plain and simple
Perfect book for to get an introduction to Buddhisiam....i bought the audio book, it was real good.
Published 5 months ago by Srikanth Kelapu

5.0 out of 5 stars Primer for Budding Buddhists
I discovered this wonderful book by Steve Hagen and give it to anyone who asks me about my Buddhist faith. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Stephen P. Rahn

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Meditation Book
Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen is a book that claims it is simple but you might want to read a page or two and contemplate it for the rest of the day. Read more
Published 8 months ago by John H. Eagan

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