Buddhism

Night Light: A Devotional for Couples

by James C. Dobson

Average Rating:

"Sometimes I wonder if I read the same books that others rate as five stars. I personally think that five stars are too frequently given, particularly when we consider that the vast majority of books are simply average.I was hopeful that "Night Light" would be above run-of-the-mill, but it really isn't. It's a fair book, but nothing else. (And please note that I am not a "Focus on the Family" basher. I think that ministry has helped bring many important topics to the fore. As a born-again Christian, I take seriously all the issues raised by that ministry and this book.)Billed as being a unique daily devotional for Christian couples, it covers six months with each day comprised of a Bible verse, the Dobsons' thoughts about the verse as it relates to married couples' lives, a few questions to share together, and a closing prayer. Pretty standard fare for a devotional.We've found the book to be written for couples that have extremely traditional marriage roles, but a growing number of couples (who are, by all means, traditional evangelical Christians) do not fit that mold. Generalizations about what the sexes are like in this book, unfortunately, are sadly stereotypical, too. Here, the Dobsons come across as stuck in another era. Now I am all for conserving the things that are great about America, Christianity, and family, but the authors seem to be writing more for their contemporaries, couples that have paralleled their own marriage experience. In short, if you don't match the Dobsons point for point in your marriage situation, the differences become glaring, becoming a focal point for incomplete application of their ideas.Frankly, we've had quibbles with some of the theology, too. The book starts with an exposition of the old "I'm Third" idea - God first, others second, self third. We're not convinced this is biblical. Certainly God first is true, but doesn't Jesus say to "Love our neighbor as ourself" rather than to "Love our neighbor more than ourself"? It's obvious that deference to another's needs is key to any marriage, but it is all too frequent to find the balance tipping in one direction more than another. This can easily leave one spouse coming up short under the Dobsons' ideology. A godly husband needs to love his wife AND love himself in equal measure, and likewise the wife needs the same perspective from her point of view.The questions asked during the devotional are many times pointless or do not provide any ideas for followup. In the section on prayer, for example, it is asked "Do you sometimes feel that the Lord is not listening when you pray?" Suppose that one or both answers that affirmatively. Then what? The Dobsons provide no help here except to get you to move on to the next question (which, in this case, has nothing to do with that previous question.) As a Christian Educator myself, I find that particularly galling. Examples like this abound in the book. And there are also plenty of leading questions that if answered in a fashion not in keeping with the authors' leading guide the users into a dead-end. The questions need to be better thought out. Adding helps for couples who disagree on some points is something I would also consider essential, but is sorely missing.While any spiritual help in today's world is helpful, "Night Light" seems geared a bit low. If you've been Christians for any length of time, you probably have seen large swatches of everything here before. Because of this, after a while you start approaching the day's devotional dutifully rather than with any expectation. Too many books for couples suffer from this (so "Night Life" isn't that extraordinary in this regard.) They seem as if they were written for couples that have never talked about anything important during their entire marriage. Are couples this bad off? At times after reading some blatantly obvious point the authors expressed as some new revelation, my wife and I just kind of gave each other a look as if to say, "Are they serious?" That usually spells doom for books of this kind.In short, the book breaks no new ground, boasts a very limited viewpoint that doesn't work well for all couples, and is average all the way around.But this is not to say "Night Light" has no value. It would probably work very well for newlyweds, couples that are new in their Christian walk, or for couples that have never read any marital improvement books. Otherwise, skip the devotional and simply spend more time in prayer together."

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers | More reviews: amazon.com

What the Buddha Taught: Revised and Expanded Edition with Texts from Suttas and Dhammapada

by Walpola Rahula

Average Rating:

"The Ven. Dr. Walpola Sri Rahula has produced one of the best texts I have ever read on Buddhism! There are many out there that incorrectly talk about Buddhism and they also have many incorrect interpretations of the Buddha.Venerable Rahula does an outstanding job in his correct translations/interpetations of important teachings of Siddhattha.The reader is introduced to key Buddhist teachings such as:-The Buddhist attitude of Mind-The Four Noble Truths (each one having it's own chapter!) And the eightfold path as well as the five aggregates.-The doctrine of No-Soul: Anatta. This is one of the most important ones and the author talks about how 'self' is incorrectly being introduced by some authors, etc.-Meditation: Everything from a few 'basic' meditation techniques to such things as why meditate...-What the Buddha Taught and the World Today: This great section shows how to apply the Buddhas teachings into every day life. There is even the 10 duties of a ruler (Government) which would be great if some politicians read!And finally there is 'selected texts' which provide even more insight...it was a refreshing thing to read after the chapters and after reading the book it made sense when reading these selected texts!There is even a Glossary to help you understand words used in Buddhism. In fact throughout the book you are introduced to the correct sayings and words...All in all you should get this book even if you are already 'into' Buddhism."

Publisher: Grove Press | More reviews: amazon.com

Buddhism without Beliefs

by Stephen Batchelor

Average Rating:

"I ordered this book based on the review here by "Dr. of Buddhology and author of 6 books on Buddhism; Dr. S. A." His attack on it it, and the reasons he gave for that, were more persuasive than any of the positive reviews in convincing me that I should read this book. Whenever anyone says, in effect, "Don't think for yourself--just follow Scripture," I've usually found it a good idea to do the opposite. And as usual, I'm very glad I did.Buddhism has taken on radically different forms in every culture in which it has taken root. Is Agnostic Buddhism one of the forms it will take in the West? I think it's likely. Many Westerners who are turning to Buddhism are agnostic, and stripped of the non-essentials (most of which were added long after the Buddha's death), Buddhism is a very appealing path. But so far, I have encountered little but New Age dilletantes and guru/student fundamentalists, two extremes that do not appeal to me at all. Here in Japan, I've met some very nice priests and monks, but practice has so far seemed quite ossified and heirarchical, something that really seems, well, very un-Buddhist to me.And then along comes Batchelor's book, a breath of fresh air. This is just what I've been looking for."

Publisher: Riverhead Trade | More reviews: amazon.com

Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Average Rating:

"This is not a well designed book addressing Anger. Rather, this is a rehash of Thich Nhat Hanh's message concerning mindful living. Hanh's message is powerful and valuable; it is not well crafted to be responsive to those seeking to resolve Anger. Like the evangelicals of the 70s who gave the answer to all of life's problems, "trust Jesus," Hanh gives a similar superficial answer to the problem of Anger, "trust mindful living." If you have not read Hanh, I highly recommend it. But if you need to deal with Anger, this really wont help. His first solution to anger is to eat only organic food, where anger is not a part of the creation of the food. As a vegetarian, I have a lot of sympathy for that message; I just do not think it is an appropriate first message for someone struggling with Anger. Then he suggests making a peace treaty with the one with whom you have anger. Well that belies the circumstances where anger is a real struggle. There are some circumstances where anger is an issue and "peace treaties" are not possible - such as dealing with people with emotional disabilities. And then there are abuse situations where you should not make a peace treaty: just because I acknowledge that a Tiger is a tiger, and do not hate the tiger, does not mean I try to make personal friends with the tiger. Their are certain contexts, that cause a lot of anger, where reconciliation with the cause of conflict is not the appropriate answer. Bottom line: I found the book superficial suggesting that all of lifes ills can be cured through simple answers. Read Hanh; skip this book."

Publisher: Riverhead Trade | More reviews: amazon.com

Feeding Your Demons: Ancient Wisdom for Resolving Inner Conflict

by Tsultrim Allione

Average Rating:

"This book offers a profound approach to resolving that with which we struggle inside (and outside too). I have been working with this process--so clearly explained by the author--and have found it to be extremely effective. The premise is simple: anything you fight and/or banish to your shadow will just find ways to haunt you even more, so why not find a way to provide it with the attention and compassion it really needs. This process has helped me to resolve and transform some deep-seated fears and issues. If peace begins within, this book goes a long way towards helping change what is frustrating in the world. I give it my highest recommendation."

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company | More reviews: amazon.com

Wake Up: A Life of the Buddha

by Jack Kerouac

Average Rating:

"This is the first Jack Kerouac book that I have ever read, so I am not a follower of his. However, I have read many books on Buddhism, and this is one of the best. It covers the story of Buddha's life and his enlightened teachings in concise, but rich language, much of which is attributed to direct quotes from the Buddha. So even though this book is from a "famous" writer, its value is the remarkable story of the Buddha and his beliefs, and the author's writing skill comes through, but not the writer's beliefs, which aids the clarity of the presentation.

A bonus here is the long introduction (22 pages) by noted American Buddhist scholar Robert Thurman. His writing is almost "a book within a book" and points out some key passages in the text, that then become more meaningful when you see them in the body of the book.

This book will be a treasure to any spiritual seeker."

Publisher: Viking Adult | More reviews: amazon.com

Yantra Yoga: The Tibetan Yoga of Movement

by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu

Average Rating:

Yantra Yoga, a Tibetan Buddhist system of movement and breathing exercises, bring the body/mind into balance and help achieve authentic relaxation--a preliminary to any meditative practice. Profusely illustrated with hundreds of line drawings, black and white photographs, and illustrations, Yantra Yoga presents Tibet's trulkhor yoga tradition as taught by one of its master exponents, Chogyal Namkhai Norbu. Yantra Yoga's movements, exercises, and methods of concentration are all based on eighth-century text whose translation is included, illuminated by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu's commentary. Detailed charts for the timing of the breathing exercises are also included.

Publisher: Snow Lion Publications | More reviews: amazon.com

Light of Fearless Indestructible Wisdom: The Life and Legacy of H. H. Dudjom Rinpoche

by Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal

Master of masters, visionary, poet, revealer of profound spiritual treasures, Dudjom Rinpoche was a paramount figure in the history of twentieth-century Tibet. He worked closely with the present Dalai Lama to reinvigorate Tibetan culture and spiritual practice following the Chinese invasion of their homeland. Nyingma masters and devotees, both lay and ordained, unanimously appointed him Supreme Head of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism, and he served in this capacity until his death in 1987. He wrote poetry, music, history, and philosopy, and delivered unprecedented numbers of initiations and teachings. Written by a Nyingma master who served for several years as Dudjom Rinpoche's secretary, this biography celebrates a teacher whose hardships in exile did not diminish his zest for scholarship and practice.

Publisher: Snow Lion Publications | More reviews: amazon.com

Treasures from Juniper Ridge: The Profound Instructions of Padmasambhava to the Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal

by Padmasambhava

Treasures from Juniper Ridge is a collection of “hidden” or terma teachings given by Padmasambhava, the Tantric master who brought Vajrayana Buddhism to Tibet. According to Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Padmasambhava hid many teachings to be uncovered later by “revealers of hidden treasures.” The special quality of the terma teachings is that they provide guidance appropriate for each period of time and individual person. By working with Padmasambhava, Yeshe Tsogyal, his mystic spiritual consort, was able to compile and codify these precious insights and hide them for use by future generations.

Treasures from Juniper Ridge presents a variety of significant revelations for seekers on the advanced path of the Tibetan Vajrayana tradition, as well as in-depth explanations of assorted aspects of practice: deity-focused meditation, nonconceptual meditation, death and dying, and recognizing the nature of mind. The book outlines ways for the modern student to apply these teachings while remaining true to Vajrayana Buddhism’s traditional principles

Publisher: North Atlantic Books | More reviews: amazon.com

The Grand Inquisitor's Manual: A History of Terror in the Name of God

by Jonathan Kirsch

Average Rating:

"The inquisitorial apparatus that was first invented in the Middle Ages remained in operation for the next six-hundred years, and it has never been wholly dismantled. As we shall see, an unbroken thread links the friar-inquisitors who set up the rack and the pyre in southern France in the early thirteenth century to the torturers and executioners of Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia in the mid-twentieth century. Nor does the thread stop at Auschwitz or the Gulag; it can be traced through the Salem witch trials in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II, the Hollywood blacklists of the McCarthy era, and even the interrogation cells at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo." The twelfth century birthed a new and sinister brand of sanctioned terror, an international network of secret police and courts, an army of inquisitors whose sworn duty was to seek out anyone regarded as an enemy, and a casualty list numbering in the tens of thousands. The original agents of the Inquisition—priests and monks, scribes and notaries, attorneys and accountants, torturers and executioners—were deputized by the Church and their worst excesses were excused as the pardonable sins of soldiers engaged in a holy war against heresy that became the obsession of Christendom. Yet the first rumblings of Western civilization's great engine of persecution provided no indication of the ultimate scope and influence of the inquisitorial toolkit and how the crimes of the first inquisitors were perpetrated again and again into the twentieth century and beyond. Despite the importance of this legacy, the history of the Inquisition remains a subject that has largely been overlooked by general historians. With The Grand Inquisitor's Manual, national bestselling author Jonathan Kirsch delivers a sweeping and provocative history that explores how the Inquisition was honed to perfection and brought to bear on an ever-widening circle of victims by authoritarians in both church and state for over six hundred years. Ranging from the Knights Templar to the first Protestants, from Joan of Arc to Galileo; from the torture and murder of hundreds of thousands of innocent women during the Witch Craze to its greatest power in Spain after 1492, when the secret tribunals and torture chambers were directed for the first time against Jews and Muslims to the modern war on terror—Kirsch shows us how the Inquisition stands as a universal and ineradicable symbol of the terror that results when absolute power works its corruptions. The history of the Inquisition is draped in myth and mystery, a favorite theme of both artists and propagandists throughout the six hundred years of its active operations. Yet when we pull aside the veil, what we see are the original blueprints for the machinery of persecution that was invented in the High Middle Ages and applied to human flesh ever since. The Grand Inquisitor's Manual exposes the dangerous circular logic of the Inquisition so that we do not perpetuate its brand of terror.

Publisher: HarperOne | More reviews: amazon.com