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Average Customer Rating:

An Excellent Book...

Customer Rating:

This is an excellent book. Very well written, in plain simple English with no complicated concepts to try to wrap your mind around. This is the first book I've read by Lama Surya Das, but based on this one, it will not be my last. Intended to be a guide to Tibetan Buddhism, it goes systematically and throughly through all the necessary practices and beliefs to enable the reader to make the changes to put themselves on the path to enlightenment. The book is written with humour and insight by a Westerner who has spent 35 years studying and teaching Buddhism. I would highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to get a grasp on Buddhism from a Western perspective. This is not only a good book for a beginner, but also very complete. A good read. Les Center

Ruined by lousy prose

Customer Rating:

I naively bought this book after visiting Lama Surya Das's Dzogchen Center in Cambridge, MA (LSD was not there). I am now sorry that I spent my money on it. Somewhat new to Buddhism, I am in no position to evaluate the merits of the book's content--for all I know, it could be full of 100% accurate information, though, judging from some of the other reviews here, I doubt it. Still, there must be something of value here for the spiritual aspirant, right? I did not have the patience to find out. I can only say that the writing style left me cold. I gamely endured about 100 pages of Surya Das's corny prose, hell-bent on getting my money's worth, until I could no longer stand the platitudes, vague questions, and saccharine proverbs. I can see why some call LSD's books "Dharma lite"--he reads like a brochure. A 400-page, Buddhist brochure. I recommend the reader skip over this one and check out any of the many excellent Buddhist authors out there, like Chogyam Trungpa, Pema Chodron, or Shunryu Suzuki. Anything but this, really.

The Buddha Within

Customer Rating:

I have had an interest in Buddhism for quite some time and have only recently begun to study and research. It is a daunting, but exciting task. In this time I have read many books on the subject. Some left me so confused I was ready to give up. The Buddha Within was a delight to read......clear, insightful, informative, humorous,but most of all it left me encouraged to continue practicing and studying. This last copy I purchased is for my sister, who has just started being curious about what I'm doing. It is a perfect book for her to start with. I am re-reading it for the second time. A definite must have in your book collection on Buddhism.

Excellent for beginners	Customer Rating:
LOVED this book! Packed full of fabulous information, background, and intructional advice. One to read and re-read.

A great introduction to the Buddhist way of life.

Customer Rating:

I heard about this book in a Revolver magazine article featuring Tommy Lee, it's one of his recommendations (don't let that deter you from it). It's an excellent read for anyone who's ever wanted to learn about Buddhism. If you have real intentions of adopting a spiritual practice, reading this book is a great way to start. It's written in terms that are understandable to young adults of at least slightly above average intelligence. It's incredibly thought provoking, and even mind-blowing at some points. He does throw in some obscure Buddhist terminology, which is a bit excessive, but that doesn't take away from the message he's sending. If you're going through a tough time or seeking purpose in your life, read this book.