Buddha for Beginners, Stephen T. Asma
Buddha for Beginners, Stephen T. Asma
10 Rating(s)
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Buddha for Beginners

Author: Stephen T. Asma

Narrator: John C. Winson

Unabridged: 1 hr 59 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Vibrance Press

Published: 08/01/2015


Synopsis

Despite the widespread popularity of Buddhist practices (like meditation), there is little understanding of the complex philosophy behind Buddhism. The historical Buddha, Gautama, was a real person—a radical—who challenged the religious leaders of his day. Buddha For Beginners introduces the reader to the historical Buddha, to the ideas that made him change his life, and to the fascinating philosophical debates that engaged him and formed the core of Buddhism. Buddha For Beginners compares Buddha's philosophy with those of his contemporaries, the later Buddhist schools, and Western Philosophy. The book includes a survey, distinguishing the philosophical differences among later schools of Buddhism, such as Theravada, Madhyamaika, Tantric, Zen, and others. Buddha For Beginners is not a book you read, it is a book you experience. It makes you stop and close your eyes. Through some magical combination of words, drawings, and intuitive wisdom, Buddha For Beginners conveys not only the facts of Buddhism, but the peace, the silence...the feel of it. It is historically accurate, spiritually challenging, and the white spaces mean as much as the words.

About Stephen T. Asma

Stephen T. Asma is a professor of philosophy and Founding Fellow of the Research Group in Mind, Science, and Culture at Columbia College, Chicago. He is the author of On Monsters: An Unnatural History of Our Worst Fears and Stuffed Animals and Pickled Heads: The Culture and Evolution of Natural History Museums.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Jason on July 11, 2016

I had a chance earlier this year to read Columbia College Chicago professor Stephen Asma's Why I Am a Buddhist, and ended up really enjoying it, a no-nonsense and secular-slanted guide to this philosophy/religion that humorously takes the piss out of hippie New Agers; so I've decided to read several......more

Goodreads review by Brandy on August 19, 2015

Received this book for free via a Goodreads Give Away - thank you! Though this is definitely a "beginners" book, it is by no means dumbed down in language, so I appreciate that a lot. A great lets-start-at-the-beginning, informative breakdown of the historical Buddha. Would recommend this book to any......more

Goodreads review by Angelina on October 20, 2018

Corta y divertida manera de conocer un poco mas esa cultura religiosa.......more

Goodreads review by M on June 06, 2016

An excellent short and simple explanation of a complex religion. Focuses on the philosophy (or psychology depending on your viewpoint) of the Buddha himself; not on the mythological religion that has been wrapped around this person. A great beginning point for the study of Buddhism.......more

Goodreads review by Tracy on April 10, 2020

Not sure the title fits this book Not sure the title fits this book. It’s more a history of Buddhism. I found most of the art distracting although some were profound. Read more like a term paper. For me, there are better books to read for a beginner. I’d like to read more on practice and how to start......more