The Best Buddhist Writing 2005 (Paperback)

by Melvin McLeod (Author)
Key Phrases: cultivating wisdom, cell house, forest tradition, Lord Buddha, Maechi Roongdüan, Thich Nhat Hanh (more...)

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

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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.com Sales Rank: #585,989 in Books (See Bestsellers 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

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

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	ShriDurga (Japan) - See all my reviews

"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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