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Rebel Buddha: A Guide to a Revolution of Mind
There’s a rebel within you. It’s the part of you that already knows how to break free of fear and unhappiness. This rebel is the voice of your own awakened mind. It’s your rebel buddha—the sharp, clear intelligence that resists the status quo. It wakes you up from the sleepy acceptance of your day-to-day reality and shows you the power of your enlightened nature. It’s the vibrant, insightful energy that compels you to seek the truth.
Dzogchen Ponlop guides you through the inner revolution that comes from unleashing your rebel buddha. He explains how, by training your mind and understanding your true nature, you can free yourself from needless suffering. He presents a thorough introduction to the essence of the Buddha’s teachings and argues that, if we are to bring these teachings fully into our personal experience, we must go beyond the cultural trappings of traditional Asian Buddhism. “We all want to find some meaningful truth about who we are,” he says, “but we can only find it guided by our own wisdom—by our own rebel buddha within.”
Dzogchen Ponlop guides you through the inner revolution that comes from unleashing your rebel buddha. He explains how, by training your mind and understanding your true nature, you can free yourself from needless suffering. He presents a thorough introduction to the essence of the Buddha’s teachings and argues that, if we are to bring these teachings fully into our personal experience, we must go beyond the cultural trappings of traditional Asian Buddhism. “We all want to find some meaningful truth about who we are,” he says, “but we can only find it guided by our own wisdom—by our own rebel buddha within.”
229 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
250 people are currently reading
2789 people want to read
About the author
Dzogchen Ponlop
23 books55 followersKarma Sungrap Ngedon Tenpa Gyaltsen was enthroned as the Seventh Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche by Rangjung Yeshe Dorje, Gyalwang Karmapa XVI, in 1968. A former Tibetan Buddhist monk, he remains a lay teacher in the Karma Kagyu lineage as well as the Nyingma tradition.
A graduate of Karma Shri Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies (the monastic college at Rumtek) and Columbia University in New York, Rinpoche is a naturalized U.S. citizen.
A graduate of Karma Shri Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies (the monastic college at Rumtek) and Columbia University in New York, Rinpoche is a naturalized U.S. citizen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
March 17, 2012
Psst.
I going to tell you a little secret. I have this plan. I read these books on Buddhism because one day when I am old and can't take care of myself that good anymore, when I am close to homeless and seriously considering cat food as an option, I will walk into the nearest Buddhist temple thingy and offer myself up as a monk.
Sure I will have to shave my head and wear orange, but I'll just be old enough that I won't care about being cute anymore.
Hey, it beats being a nun.
I going to tell you a little secret. I have this plan. I read these books on Buddhism because one day when I am old and can't take care of myself that good anymore, when I am close to homeless and seriously considering cat food as an option, I will walk into the nearest Buddhist temple thingy and offer myself up as a monk.
Sure I will have to shave my head and wear orange, but I'll just be old enough that I won't care about being cute anymore.
Hey, it beats being a nun.
October 3, 2012
Don't let the title scare you into thinking that it is just "Pop-Buddhism". It definitely is, but it is much more as well. I almost didn't read the book because I thought it would be repackaged Buddhism for yuppies or worse "Buddhism-made-hip". Which in some ways it is but then I had the other thought "does it have to be old and obscure to be authentic Buddhism?" To me that is an equally obnoxious thought to disregard or discredit a message simply because it isn't old or difficult to understand.
This does make Buddhism more accessible to the modern Western reader. The author is quick to make the distinction of core Buddhist concepts and cultural Buddhism and how one is universally applicable and the other is culture specific. Americans don't need to shave their heads and wear Tibetan Buddhist robes to understand to experience it.
Buddhism is about diving into the present and living fully, which can be achieved through meditation to help focus the mind and clear out all the mental pollution that keeps our minds running at insanely fast pace with no breaks jumping from past to future to past to future and stressing about events that are not even here.
This does make Buddhism more accessible to the modern Western reader. The author is quick to make the distinction of core Buddhist concepts and cultural Buddhism and how one is universally applicable and the other is culture specific. Americans don't need to shave their heads and wear Tibetan Buddhist robes to understand to experience it.
Buddhism is about diving into the present and living fully, which can be achieved through meditation to help focus the mind and clear out all the mental pollution that keeps our minds running at insanely fast pace with no breaks jumping from past to future to past to future and stressing about events that are not even here.
August 24, 2025
This book does a great job of explaining the Buddhist philosophical approach to life without the dogma or religious strings attached. This is written for the westerner who wants to understand Buddhism without having to learn any of the typical Buddhist lingo or vocabulary. I loved this book. I purchased 5 copies to give to friends and family to help them understand my philosophical approach to life.
May 19, 2023
pretty good—think I prefer thich nhat hanh's books in general
January 3, 2017
Don't judge a book by its title! This work may not pioneer new ground concerning Buddhist thought, but that's not its purpose. What Dzogchen Ponlop does very well here is make the central foundations of Buddhism accessible, underscore the need for self-trust and individual responsibility in practitioners, and -- most importantly -- separate Buddhist thought from its accumulated cultural, historical, and religious contexts.
May 14, 2011
I admit to mostly skimming this book. There is really nothing new here, though it is restated in terms that perhaps the author hopes will be attractive to those who need to feel they are rebelling in choosing the path of the dharma. Ho hum.
October 15, 2011
Dzogchen Ponlop uses REBEL BUDDHA to discuss the origins, practices, and misconceptions of Buddhism within the context of current society. He is quick to point out that it is not a theistic "religion" but a mindset, a way of life. Even then, there are many aspects of this book that can teach and encourage everyone, regardless of religious backgrounds. For instance, Buddhism advocates that kindness is the greatest gift that anyone can give because it's free and plentiful. In addition, people should never give up on others no matter how many times they get let down because they never know when their efforts will pay off. At the same time, however, it's important to note that individuals must take the time to replenish themselves so that they are able to give to others - kind of like a banking system. Therefore, selfishness is acceptable when performed in the context of "emptiness," the ultimate form of dharma.
This book doesn't address anything new or profound, but I really enjoyed approaching concepts and lessons that I already believed presented from a different perspective. Whether people are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or Buddhist, we can all read this book and relate to the importance of equality, responsibility, kindness, and identity. While we are all products of our environments, and hold certain biases because of social mores perpetuated by them, we have the authority and power to move past them in an effort to seek a greater understanding or path. This gives me hope. We have the power to evoke positive change, but it must start within.
This book doesn't address anything new or profound, but I really enjoyed approaching concepts and lessons that I already believed presented from a different perspective. Whether people are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or Buddhist, we can all read this book and relate to the importance of equality, responsibility, kindness, and identity. While we are all products of our environments, and hold certain biases because of social mores perpetuated by them, we have the authority and power to move past them in an effort to seek a greater understanding or path. This gives me hope. We have the power to evoke positive change, but it must start within.
July 21, 2012
Enjoyed the modern, plain language of this book - like how to meditate on the subway and use Facebook in your daily practice.
September 28, 2015
Mein Interesse am Buddhismus geht viele Jahre zurück und wurde kürzlich aufs Neue geweckt, daher hat mich dieser Titel sehr angesprochen. Ich wurde aber leider enttäuscht. Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche legt in seiner Darlegung der Lehren Buddhas sehr viel Wert auf die Tatsache, dass es sich hierbei eigentlich um eine spirituelle Lehre handelt, und nicht um eine Religion - schon gar nicht eine theistische. Unabhängig davon, wie der Buddhismus in vielen asiatischen Ländern verändert und adaptiert wurde, versucht er damit die Einsichten der Lehre auf ihre Basics runterzubrechen und für die westliche Kultur verständlich zu machen. So weit so gut. Aber er ist meiner Meinung nach viel zu ausführlich in seinen Erklärungen. Wenn man den Buddhismus auf seine Fundamente bringt, dann sind es besonders die Konzepte der Selbstlosigkeit, der Leerheit und des Mitgefühls, die hier wichtig sind. Die Grundideen, d.h. seinen Geist kennenzulernen, sich anderen Menschen zu öffnen, ein universelles Mitgefühl zu entwickeln und sich dabei von materiellen Dingen innerlich zu lösen, erfordern zwar sehr viel Geduld und Übung in der Umsetzung, sind aber schnell erklärt. Das hat beispielsweise Volker Zotz sehr erfolgreich in Mit Buddha das Leben meistern: Buddhismus für Praktiker auf viel weniger Seiten geschafft. Auch sind Kapitel über die Wichtigkeit eines guten Lehrers oder die Weiterführung der Lehre (da potentiell jeder Mensch "erwachen" kann und es dazu keiner besonderen Voraussetzungen benötigt) in einer "Weisheitsübertragungslinie" in einer solchen Einführung meines Erachtens überflüssig. Wer sich bereits mit dem Buddhismus beschäftigt hat, dem wird diese Einführung wenig Neues bieten, während völlige Neulinge eventuell nicht nur durch die Länge abgeschreckt werden könnten, sondern auch von der seltsamen Mischung aus alltäglichen, westlichen Beispielen und spirituellem Vokabular, das für moderne Ohren immer etwas schräg klingt. Hier ist ein Beispiel:
(Es geht um die Möglichkeit Verlangen zu empfinden ohne sich seinen Emotionen völlig zu überlassen)
Unser leidenschaftliches Verlangen nach dieser Cola erfasst unseren Geist, und da ist ein lichter, ein wacher Moment, reine Freude, reine Zufriedenheit, bevor der Ansturm unserer Gedanken einsetzt. Wir können dann wieder in den gewohnten Schlummerzustand verfallen, um der Intensität und Helligkeit der Erfahrung zu entgehen, oder von unserem Vorhaben zurückschrecken und anstelle der Cola einen Bio-Möhrensaft nehmen. Oder wir können diesen Augenblick mit erleuchtetem Stolz verbinden, der aus Leerheit hervorgegangenen Weisheit."
Da in den Kapiteln zuvor schon Begriffe wie "Leerheit", "Weisheit", und "erleuchteter Stolz" erklärt worden sind, ist der Zusammenstoß dieser Konzepte mit solch einem alltäglichen Wunsch wie der, eine erfrischende aber ungesunde Cola zu trinken zwar nicht völlig irritierend, aber dennoch glaube ich nicht, dass damit wirklich der angedachten Zielgruppe gerecht wird. Man kann den Buddhismus in die moderne westliche Welt transportieren, ohne auf schlichte Parabeln verzichten zu müssen. Die Idee einer intellektuellen Schulung des Geistes ist gleichzeitig uralt und sehr modern, und die Gefahren, die es mit sich bringt sein Lebensglück von materiellen Gütern abhängig zu machen sind in unserer kapitalistischen Gesellschaft greifbar wie nie zuvor. Aber Interessierten würde ich als Einstieg in diese faszinierende und wirklich nützliche Lehre tatsächlich eher ein schmales Band wie Mit Buddha das Leben meistern empfehlen.
*This book fulfills task #24 of the Bookriot Read Harder Challenge 2015: A self-improvement book (can be traditionally or non-traditionally considered "self-improvement")
(Es geht um die Möglichkeit Verlangen zu empfinden ohne sich seinen Emotionen völlig zu überlassen)
Unser leidenschaftliches Verlangen nach dieser Cola erfasst unseren Geist, und da ist ein lichter, ein wacher Moment, reine Freude, reine Zufriedenheit, bevor der Ansturm unserer Gedanken einsetzt. Wir können dann wieder in den gewohnten Schlummerzustand verfallen, um der Intensität und Helligkeit der Erfahrung zu entgehen, oder von unserem Vorhaben zurückschrecken und anstelle der Cola einen Bio-Möhrensaft nehmen. Oder wir können diesen Augenblick mit erleuchtetem Stolz verbinden, der aus Leerheit hervorgegangenen Weisheit."
Da in den Kapiteln zuvor schon Begriffe wie "Leerheit", "Weisheit", und "erleuchteter Stolz" erklärt worden sind, ist der Zusammenstoß dieser Konzepte mit solch einem alltäglichen Wunsch wie der, eine erfrischende aber ungesunde Cola zu trinken zwar nicht völlig irritierend, aber dennoch glaube ich nicht, dass damit wirklich der angedachten Zielgruppe gerecht wird. Man kann den Buddhismus in die moderne westliche Welt transportieren, ohne auf schlichte Parabeln verzichten zu müssen. Die Idee einer intellektuellen Schulung des Geistes ist gleichzeitig uralt und sehr modern, und die Gefahren, die es mit sich bringt sein Lebensglück von materiellen Gütern abhängig zu machen sind in unserer kapitalistischen Gesellschaft greifbar wie nie zuvor. Aber Interessierten würde ich als Einstieg in diese faszinierende und wirklich nützliche Lehre tatsächlich eher ein schmales Band wie Mit Buddha das Leben meistern empfehlen.
*This book fulfills task #24 of the Bookriot Read Harder Challenge 2015: A self-improvement book (can be traditionally or non-traditionally considered "self-improvement")
May 23, 2011
Life changing. If you have any interest in learning more about what Buddhism is about read this. Namaste!
February 7, 2024
These writings will gift you calmness, joy, tranquility, better connections with inner and outer world, compassion and higher knowledge. The very contemporary book presents us with ancient eternal mindfulness and awareness. One of the best introductions to Buddha's teaching, that is not a religion but science about our mind.
June 10, 2024
A book of two halves. The first is insightful and original, with many useful pearls that I bookmarked. The second half is theoretical, historical and generalist. Not that this is inherently bad, but far from the practical and down to earth start to the book. I found myself skimming much of this second half.
March 22, 2018
Un amigo de Twitter y Goodreads me preguntó si este era un libro de autoayuda. A veces quisiera decir que sí cuando me preguntan eso, porque el budismo es literalmente autoayuda: tú mismo debes ayudarte. Tú debes hacer el trabajo por alcanzar la liberación.
Sin embargo, no es un libro de autoayuda en el sentido que todos conocemos de ese término. Es un libro de introducción al budismo, y quizá más específicamente, un libro para quienes ya han dado un paso al interior del budismo.
Dzogchen Ponlop es muy occidental en su acercamiento, conoce de qué pie cojeamos de este lado del mundo, o de la cultura; pero afirma quequienes no nacimos con las enseñanzas de Siddhartha bajo el brazo quizá tengamos una ventaja al verlas desde una perspectiva diferente, y eso renueva al budismo para que pueda seguir adaptándose a los tiempos.
Con mucho humor y sencillez, pero no por eso falto de rigor, Ponlop Rinpoche nos alienta a ser felices y a trabajar en comunidad, en solitario, en la oficina o en la playa, donde sea que estemos: el trabajo es meditar en la naturaleza de la realidad, en la bondad universal que está más allá de toda lógica, meditar para calmar la mente y ser de ayuda a los demás.
Luego analiza puntillosamente la llegada y presencia del budismo al Occidente, en especial, a los EE.UU., y lo que esto significa para los maestros, estudiantes y sanghas de hoy.
Por último, da una guía sobre cómo meditar para calmar la mente y cómo meditar a profundidad en un tema (vipassana). Lo que parece difícil, él lo hace ver difícil pero divertido, un desafío que todos podemos aceptar.
Escuché el audiolibro y el narrador es excelente; más adelante volveré a leerlo, esta vez en versión ebook, porque vale la pena regresar a este texto más de una vez.
Sin embargo, no es un libro de autoayuda en el sentido que todos conocemos de ese término. Es un libro de introducción al budismo, y quizá más específicamente, un libro para quienes ya han dado un paso al interior del budismo.
Dzogchen Ponlop es muy occidental en su acercamiento, conoce de qué pie cojeamos de este lado del mundo, o de la cultura; pero afirma quequienes no nacimos con las enseñanzas de Siddhartha bajo el brazo quizá tengamos una ventaja al verlas desde una perspectiva diferente, y eso renueva al budismo para que pueda seguir adaptándose a los tiempos.
Con mucho humor y sencillez, pero no por eso falto de rigor, Ponlop Rinpoche nos alienta a ser felices y a trabajar en comunidad, en solitario, en la oficina o en la playa, donde sea que estemos: el trabajo es meditar en la naturaleza de la realidad, en la bondad universal que está más allá de toda lógica, meditar para calmar la mente y ser de ayuda a los demás.
Luego analiza puntillosamente la llegada y presencia del budismo al Occidente, en especial, a los EE.UU., y lo que esto significa para los maestros, estudiantes y sanghas de hoy.
Por último, da una guía sobre cómo meditar para calmar la mente y cómo meditar a profundidad en un tema (vipassana). Lo que parece difícil, él lo hace ver difícil pero divertido, un desafío que todos podemos aceptar.
Escuché el audiolibro y el narrador es excelente; más adelante volveré a leerlo, esta vez en versión ebook, porque vale la pena regresar a este texto más de una vez.
February 21, 2013
The title on this book is somewhere between being trendy and slightly misleading. Linking Buddhism with rebelling has at least as much to do with trying to link the particular appeal that anything smacking of rebellion has for some people as it does with being a reasonable approach to Buddhism, and once we get beyond the title and into the book itself, the author uses the "rebel buddha" motif very little.
But he does do a very good job of presenting Buddhist thought and practice in a way that's very approachable and appealing, not to mention readable. And this is definitely an approach for Westerners - his roots are in Tibetan Buddhism and that's the path this book describes, but it's also a Buddhism that is being developed in Western society and intended for Westerners.
I don't generally find that Tibetan Buddhism makes quite as much sense to me as Zen - there's always a certain point at which I just can't quite go along with the author, and that was true with this book. But not nearly to the extent that is usually true for me. And that in no way took away from my appreciation of what is a very interesting, well written book. If the Tibetan approach does it for you, or you're totally new to this topic and looking for a good place to start, then this could be right up your alley.
But he does do a very good job of presenting Buddhist thought and practice in a way that's very approachable and appealing, not to mention readable. And this is definitely an approach for Westerners - his roots are in Tibetan Buddhism and that's the path this book describes, but it's also a Buddhism that is being developed in Western society and intended for Westerners.
I don't generally find that Tibetan Buddhism makes quite as much sense to me as Zen - there's always a certain point at which I just can't quite go along with the author, and that was true with this book. But not nearly to the extent that is usually true for me. And that in no way took away from my appreciation of what is a very interesting, well written book. If the Tibetan approach does it for you, or you're totally new to this topic and looking for a good place to start, then this could be right up your alley.
June 29, 2014
Buddha once said that the finger that points at the moon, is not the moon. This book helped me develop a greater interest for the philosophical propositions of Buddhism and other faith traditions without having to accept the dogmatic, or religious symbols and traditions found within each one. Just as the finger that points at the moon is not the moon, the religion that points to God is not God, belief in God is not God either. Maybe if there is an empiric object or personage known as God, it can be discovered through philosophical introspection such as Buddhism offers or a greater understanding of natural law such as science offers, or adherence to cultural and societal norms such as religion offers. I hope to show greater respect for the paths that people choose while also helping others arrive at the understanding that not every path works for every person. Great book.
May 5, 2012
A great introduction to Buddhism, if a little bit of prior knowledge might be required.
I loved the first half of the book, having been a Buddhist for some time it was a hugely refreshing way of looking at Buddhism as a whole.
The book did start to stagnate as it reached the later stages moving to a more traditional outlook, but this isn't a major fault, simply one that stopped me page turning to grasp the fresh outlook of the start.
Overall, well recommended.
I loved the first half of the book, having been a Buddhist for some time it was a hugely refreshing way of looking at Buddhism as a whole.
The book did start to stagnate as it reached the later stages moving to a more traditional outlook, but this isn't a major fault, simply one that stopped me page turning to grasp the fresh outlook of the start.
Overall, well recommended.
August 8, 2019
Good book, written for an American audience. Maybe a bit simple for me at this point in my studies. I like how the author pointed out the...I guess fetishized Asian cultural stuff in Western Buddhism. Buddha’s message is transcultural: it is true for all people, everywhere and always. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Eastern vibe in spirituality, but it good to be reminded that culture is separate from message.
A good introduction. Well written.
A good introduction. Well written.
September 8, 2019
Being a student of Buddhist teachings for several years, there really isn't any new concepts or practices presented here, but it is a well written expository piece on Buddhism and the study of the mind (which is all Buddhism really is). Dzogchen Ponlop's writing is clear and gives great explanations of the mind and practices that will help tame the monkey mind. This will definitely be a book I would gladly recommend to those looking to explore the teachings and practices of the Buddha.
July 30, 2020
I think the title of this book can be alluring to many interested in Buddhism, but it is much more a text for a dedicated follower. It is not stated or apparent from the outset, but the book is adapted from talks that Dzogchen Ponlop gave. Thus, it often takes a lecture-like structure, sometimes meandering, and is perhaps not the best document for transmitting Ponlop's teachings. I still enjoyed some sections and appreciated the mediation instructions.
July 31, 2020
Not great for beginners but a great book for those already on their path. Some of the way he explains things are wonderful and accessible but my own background in Buddhism was required to fully understand what he was talking about some of the time. I highly recommend for Buddhist practicioners, especially in the Tibetan traditions.
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May 23, 2011I skimmed a lot of it. It was a great read but it didn't rock my world. It felt too long. Felt like it could have easily been a pamphlet.
But again, I skimmed. I really need to read it again.
But again, I skimmed. I really need to read it again.
June 3, 2020
This book was great. I listened to it on the way to work, and it always got me thinking about how I would approach the day, how I would interact with people, and what was happening around me. So often we sleepwalk through the day not noticing interesting things and opportunities.
August 9, 2014
I loved this book. It presents the essence of Buddhism in an easily accessible way, emphasizing the need to trust oneself, and to separate the cultural accouterments from the teachings.
August 25, 2014
Great read to understand the philosophy without the dogma of Buddhism. Awakened mind!
October 25, 2018
A view of buddhism as a practice, not a religion, and how you can incorporate being a rebel buddha into daily life.
January 9, 2022
i really enjoyed reading this because not only did it provide the deep spiritual and buddhist wisdom that i can always rely on shambhala books to give me, but it talked about this in the framework of modern culture. i was super pleasantly surprised by this, it made the messages so much more accessible and immediate, just because it was framed by cultural discussions. (also small sidenote, the cover art of this edition was another nice surprise; gonkar gyatso was my literal first introduction to Tibetan Buddhist art, in a way starting me on this branch of my spiritual journey.)
the importance of culture to continuing buddhist lineage is really emphasized by rinpoche in ways that i feel other books in this vein really don't touch on. having just read the four agreements, it felt like a natural extension of the foundations in that book (specifically the idea of personal versus global dreams). what does buddhism mean in a culture and generation that's nearing chaos, even absurdism? i thought rinpoche's explanations provided answers that felt much more immediate than anything the first Buddha could ever provide to me, and that's also the point! i loved how stripped down this book was, too; it doesn't require the reader to know all the Mahayana metaphysics in order to have meaningful realizations. overall, they were great essays on the need for and workings of a contemporary branch of buddhism, and stayed true to the dharma. i would definitely recommend this as a less mystified explanation of buddhist principles, and a solid guide to continuing down one's spiritual path. <3
the importance of culture to continuing buddhist lineage is really emphasized by rinpoche in ways that i feel other books in this vein really don't touch on. having just read the four agreements, it felt like a natural extension of the foundations in that book (specifically the idea of personal versus global dreams). what does buddhism mean in a culture and generation that's nearing chaos, even absurdism? i thought rinpoche's explanations provided answers that felt much more immediate than anything the first Buddha could ever provide to me, and that's also the point! i loved how stripped down this book was, too; it doesn't require the reader to know all the Mahayana metaphysics in order to have meaningful realizations. overall, they were great essays on the need for and workings of a contemporary branch of buddhism, and stayed true to the dharma. i would definitely recommend this as a less mystified explanation of buddhist principles, and a solid guide to continuing down one's spiritual path. <3
November 9, 2020
I'm not sure how I really feel about this book. It is a decently good book and offers good insights into practicing the Buddhist way in a new world with many different cultures but I had a really hard time getting into it.
I found that I struggled just to finish this book just reading and not taking much in, reading to get it done. There were parts that I found interesting and that resonated but it was more to read the book and finish than anything else for me.
I know that there are those that will read this book and find it very enlightening and opportune. I hope this book will find itself into those peoples hands.
If you are interested in how to modernize your practice then I know this book will fit for you.
I found that I struggled just to finish this book just reading and not taking much in, reading to get it done. There were parts that I found interesting and that resonated but it was more to read the book and finish than anything else for me.
I know that there are those that will read this book and find it very enlightening and opportune. I hope this book will find itself into those peoples hands.
If you are interested in how to modernize your practice then I know this book will fit for you.
August 28, 2022
This book is full of contradictions and misunderstandings. On one page the author talks about not getting attached and leaving expectations behind in the work of service. On the next page the author talks about the expectation that any service will be used for positive good or there is no service. Whoa, talk about circular arguments.
Another issue is what Buddha and Buddhism meant by "mind". Pali has many definitions of mind while the West has a very black and white single definition of mind. The two definitions do not match. My argument is that the definition of Buddha mind is not at all as it is presented in this book.
Readers should consider some basic, authentic writings on Buddhism, not this.
Another issue is what Buddha and Buddhism meant by "mind". Pali has many definitions of mind while the West has a very black and white single definition of mind. The two definitions do not match. My argument is that the definition of Buddha mind is not at all as it is presented in this book.
Readers should consider some basic, authentic writings on Buddhism, not this.
April 14, 2018
Inportant book for Western Pracitioners
Very easy to read and clear book about removing the culture from the true essence of the teachings. I believe this is a very essential book for Western Buddhism moving forwardd also gives some refreshing views on the path in general. For example, I really liked how he described the guru how Gautama had described it: a spiritual friend.
Was definitely I in mroe detail and specifics about what this looks like and how he envisions vajryana Buddhism in the west taking shape moving forward.
Very easy to read and clear book about removing the culture from the true essence of the teachings. I believe this is a very essential book for Western Buddhism moving forwardd also gives some refreshing views on the path in general. For example, I really liked how he described the guru how Gautama had described it: a spiritual friend.
Was definitely I in mroe detail and specifics about what this looks like and how he envisions vajryana Buddhism in the west taking shape moving forward.
August 24, 2023
The main thrust of the book was the separation of culture from the core teachings of Buddhism. This was a modern presentation of the ideas and there were some valuable lessons but I found some chapters a bit hard going as they didn’t relate to a personal practice so much as the institutions that present Buddhist teachings.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews