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Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Buddhism, Second Edition | 
 enlarge | Author: Gary Gach
Publisher: Alpha
Category: Book
List Price: $18.95
Buy Used: $7.00
You Save: $11.95 (63%)
New (35) Used (25) from $7.00
Rating:  33 reviews
Sales Rank: 212808
Media: Paperback
Edition: 2
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 416
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 9 x 7.3 x 0.8
ISBN: 1592572774
Dewey Decimal Number: 294.309
EAN: 9781592572779
ASIN: 1592572774
Publication Date: October 5, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: pb clean, fly page wrinkled
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Review
Gary Gach is like that teacher you always wanted--easygoing, full of information, able to communicate in humorous and meaningful ways, and a little bit wacky. So he's the perfect author for The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Buddhism. In this trademark easy-to-read format, Gach introduces us to a very human Buddha, along with the rules for living that make a Buddhist a Buddhist. In addition to the various kinds of meditation, he shows us how to meditate at meals and be aware of the interconnections in life. We learn about popular branches of Buddhism, like Zen and Tibetan, with an emphasis on practicing here and now. There is the theoretical: emptiness, nothingness, impermanence, as well as a very strong dose of the practical: Buddha at work, Buddhist films, environmental concerns, Buddhist celebrations, etc. Gach brings it all together with a light touch and an enthusiasm that makes you want to get up and do something Buddhist. --Brian Bruya
Product Description
Enlightenment has never been easierwith this updated guide. Theres more to Buddhism than meditation and mantrasand this fully updated guide is what every reader needs on the path to enlightenment. With expanded information on the practice of Buddhism in the United States and the West, a greater focus on the relationship between Buddhism and Islam, and the effects of Buddhism on Christianity and Judaism, this book explores the easy ways readers can make Buddhism a part of their daily lives.
Includes expanded appendixes featuring a timeline showing the evolution of Buddhism through history
Covers all four schools of BuddhismZen, Tibetan, Pure Land, and Insight Meditation
Expanded section on "rites of passage" shows how a new generation has taken to Buddhism
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| Customer Reviews: Read 28 more reviews...
Worthwhile October 20, 2007
A worthwhile read; key concepts and terms explained. Covers plenty of material. Gives details on Theravada, Mahayana and Vahrayana Buddhist traditions. Excellent for beginners and useful source book for the more adept. Add this book to your library.
 Complete IDIOT'S guide for REAL IDIOTS July 16, 2007
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is a Real Idiot's Guide for idiot's.This is a very confused book confused author,can make heads or tails of what he wants to convey it seems to me that he's making fun of Buddhism.I do not like this book at all.I have been studying Buddhism for more than 20yrs and I bought the book for my grandaughter to start reading,What a mistake and so glad that I looked at it first she would be very confused by now.
Probably the worst book I've read on Buddhism January 27, 2007
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
If you're a general interest reader who wants to know a little more about Buddhism than the average person, you MIGHT like this book....but I doubt it. It's Buddhism-lite at it's worst. The information is at a minimum and and lame attempts at humor are at a maximum. It was downright boring to read. I had to force myself to finish it, with the hope that it would get better. It didn't.
If you REALLY want to learn something about Buddhism, I would recommend "What the Buddha Taught" by Walpola Rahula.
 The Most User Friendly Guide to Buddhism November 14, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I found this book to be great fun to read. Buddhism is a complex subject, with a variety of different cultural approaches, all of which the author
covers in a simple, clear, entertaining way. The book is packed with Buddhist anecdotes, snippets of interesting information and enough immediate information on the basics to ensure that anyone who is ready for Buddhism, will be inspired to read more and perhaps start practising meditation. Buddhist philosophy is challenging for anyone whose mind has 'been around' this world long enough to now know there is more to all of this than meets the eye!
Not so hot...sorry December 12, 2005
7 out of 11 found this review helpful
Very confusing book, and shy on details. Also contains to much personal interjection (opinions). A better book I would recommend is 'A Buddhism Primer - And Introduction to Buddhism'.
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