Light on Enlightenment (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The Four Noble Truths express the hub of the teachings..." (more)
Key Phrases: eight worldly conditions, appreciative joy, threefold training, Noble Ones, Noble Eightfold Path, Four Absorptions (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Ever wondered why Buddhists seem so gung ho about suffering? Curious why so many of your Buddhist friends are vegetarian? If so, this straightforward, readable introduction to Buddhism, by acclaimed retreat leader and former Buddhist monk Titmuss, is the book for you. Titmuss explores Buddhist basics, from the Four Noble Truths (there is suffering, it is caused by desire, there is liberation from suffering and there is a path to liberation) to the Eightfold Path, from the roles of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha (Buddhist communities) to Buddhist understandings of human consciousness and feelings. His chapters on Buddhist morals tend toward the sanctimonious; in his discussion of not killing, Titmuss records meeting an American woman who had spent time in a Central American country governed by a U.S.-backed military regime. The woman, though committed to the Buddhist practice of ahimsa (nonviolence), felt compelled to work as a gunrunner for the left. Although Titmuss recognizes that "in such a situation, there is no point in preaching about the morality of protecting life," he goes on to do just that. This is a painless primer; it won't add much to the expert's library but is guaranteed to give the novice a better understanding of Buddhist teaching and practice. (Jan.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

     "Christopher's book offers readers enormous gifts. It is filled with a profound spirit of inquiry. It challenges us to awaken." –Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart

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Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala; 1 edition (November 16, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157062514X
• ISBN-13: 978-1570625145
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,115,705 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing clarity, April 23, 2001

By	Sean Hoade (Tuscaloosa, AL United States) - See all my reviews

Christopher Titmuss is a well-respected expert, but more than that, he's a friend on the Path, and this book shows it. I just can't convey how useful and clear this transmission is; I recommend it without reservation for all those who care about what they're doing in this world.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book. One Complaint., July 29, 2004

By	J. Burns "jimmycaterwaul" (Southern California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I enjoyed studying this book. As a new student to Buddhism, I found the topics interesting and easy to understand. I especially found Mr.Titmuss' Noble Eightfold Path essays useful.

My complaint is this, the book has many typos. I found the lack of proof reading and editing disappointing as a reader. As a former journalist, I would have hoped Mr. Titmuss would have been more diligent in having his work proof read.

The typos do not take away from the overall content, however, instead of 5 stars, I have to give this book 4.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Non-inspiring, Non-creative and Heavy Unyielding Dogma..., June 12, 2005

By	daibando (Thailand) - See all my reviews

...everything the Dharma isn't.
This may not be a fair review: I quit reading at about page 80, where the "shoulds", "ought to"s, "have to"s and "musts" had pretty well established themselves. By then I had had enough of what appeared to me to be the author's negativity. I paraphrase: "Inspiration from books doesn't last." "There's only one way to walk the path - mine."
This was only my impression, of course. Much of what I read used the vehicle of first person plural, so much so that I began to feel I was being delivered a disguised sermon.
If you're looking for a book that gives inspiration to practice the Dharma, uplifts and supports the seeker to continue his inquiry for truth, please try another book from which I'll violate the publisher's copyright directive and give you a direct quote:

"Do not become attached to the idea that there is only one right way or technique of practicing the Dharma. Freedom and compassion are the reference points for all practice. Everything else is skillful means. There are many experiences along the way. As soon as we take a stand any place at all, thinking 'this is it,' we have already overshot the great jewel of emptiness, creating yet another sectarian view."

"Insight Meditation" by Joseph Goldstein