A Beginner's Guide to Buddhism: A Short Course on This Powerful Eastern Philosophy

by Jack Kornfield

For over 2,500 years, Buddhism has offered an unfailing path to the world's people, including Americans in ever-increasing numbers. Now bestselling author Jack Kornfield illuminates Buddhism's core teachings with this clear and compact audio guide. From the "lion's roar" of the Four Noble Truths, to the story of how Siddhartha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, to the real treasure of the Eightfold Path, here are the essentials of Buddhism's history, traditions, and daily practices. Includes a classic meditation with commentary.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Religion, Buddhism, Spirituality, Philosophy, Self Help

73 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Jack Kornfield trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India and Burma. He has taught meditation internationally since 1974 and is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. He began his training after graduating from Dartmouth College in Asian Studies in 1967. Then he joined the Peace Corps and was assigned to the Public Health Service in northeast Thailand, which is home to several of the world’s oldest Buddhist forest monasteries. He met and studied under the Buddhist master Ven. Ajahn Chah, as well as the Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw of Burma. After returning to the United States, Jack co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, with fellow meditation teachers Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein. He is also a founding teacher of the Spirit Rock Center in Woodacre, California, where he currently lives and teaches. Over the years, Jack has taught in centers and universities worldwide, led International Buddhist Teacher meetings with the Dalai Lama and worked with many of the great teachers of our time. He holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and is a husband, father and an activist.

His books have been translated into 20 languages and sold more than a million copies. They include, A Wise Heart: A Guide to the Universal Teachings of Buddhist Psychology, A Path with Heart; After the Ecstasy, the Laundry; Teachings of the Buddha; Seeking the Heart of Wisdom; Living Dharma; A Still Forest Pool; Stories of the Spirit, Stories of the Heart; Buddha’s Little Instruction Book; The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness and Peace, Bringing Home the Dharma: Awakening Right Where You Are, and his most recent book, No Time Like the Present: Finding Freedom, Love, and Joy Right Where You Are.

Reviews

[Amanda]

Simple and clear overview of the very basics of Buddhist philosophy, excluding "supernatural" aspects such as karma and rebirth. The best explanation of the different schools of Buddhism that I've come across so far.

[Lavins · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Short, sweet and comprehensive.

[Nami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook. A really nice and quick introduction to Buddhism and it's history/origins.

Great little meditation near the end as well - to give you an easy way to do two kinds of practice.

My stress has subsided to the middle ground. :)

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to Buddhism. Includes a brief history of the Buddha's life, the four noble truths, the eight-fold path, the precepts, and an overview of the different types of Buddhism today. Missing are karma and rebirth. He concludes with a mindfulness meditation and a loving kindness meditation. Kornfield'd kind voice is calming to me, but may put others to sleep ;)

[Kevin Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very brief and cursory overview of the basics of Buddhism followed by a guide to a short session of meditation. I listened to it on the train as an audio book during a commute, which wasn't a bad way to pass the time.

[Jordan Dossett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid and simple overview. If you are interested in learning about Buddhism this is a great and quick overview. This is also a great introduction to Jack's style.

[Qing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very brief [1 hr audio, recommend listening at 1.5-2x speed] overview of the origins of Buddhism, some basic principles (4 Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, the Buddhist Vow), the major schools/forms, and guided meditations (mindfulness awareness -> mindfulness meditation, lovingkindness).

Perhaps a little too brief - doesn't discuss karma, rebirth, & the like, or how the contemporary practice of Buddhism looks in different places, cultural contexts, etc. But overall an accessible intro/refresher, and the guided meditations are lovely. A favorite quote:

"The 3rd noble truth, the end of suffering, is also called the truth of nirvana. Just as the great oceans have but one taste, the taste of salt; so do all of the teachings of Buddha have but one taste, the taste of liberation. The end of greed, hatred, and delusion. The possibility of the timeless perfection of the heart. The peace of the heart, that each of us can enter our own true nature."

[adele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started with a sweeping summary of Buddhism’s origin, and how different cultures combined it with their own history. Then it transitioned into a meditation which I actually really enjoyed. This definitely piqued my interest in the different sects of Buddhism, which I will explore more.

This book, however, can give a bit more detail on the different sects— I understand the tension between conciseness and detail, but having just 2-3 sentences of examples would be much more engaging and helpful.

(I listened to it in the freezing cold walking in Chicago)

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of this book was a great introduction to Buddhism, sharing the story of the Buddha and how he was able to reach nirvana. It laid out the principles and the way Buddhists approach life and all living things. The second half of the book consisted of guided meditations that teach us to look inward and forgive and ask for forgiveness of others. I would’ve liked more information and less meditation, but it still served as a good introduction.

[Jenny Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid, very brief, intro to Buddhism. How it stated, what the different groups that have developed are, what the basic tenets are, followed by an intro to mindfulness/breath meditation and loving kindness meditation. I’d have my middle school+ aged kids read this to gain a basic perspective on Buddhism.

[Mela Sidro · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very quick read to the introduction of Buddhism. It quickly goes over the very bare basics of Buddhist principles and teachings as well as a very short version of the Buddha's life. I think it's a book resource if you no absolutely nothing about Buddhism but if you're looking for something a little more in depth I'd look for something else.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was interesting and very positive. I enjoyed how brief it was and the overall compassion that is present in this belief system. I didn't love the reader's voice because it sounded like he was trying to be extra quiet and slow, and he held out some sounds, which I found less than desirable.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick overview of Buddhism with history of the Buddha's life. The author also dives into the core tenants and the different types of Buddhism currently practiced. The narrator goes into a few sample mediation exercises.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook. Jack Kornfield is an excellent narrator. It’s basically an short overview of Buddhism with two meditations at the end. It’s a good place to start one’s exploration of Buddhism.

[MJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super short audiobook filled with fundamental teachings and meditations.

[Pamela Huxtable · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple overview with 2 meditations.

[Martha Treder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really what I expected. It was a short, quick read. I enjoyed the meditations at the end.

[Sophie Rayton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and powerful. Lots to highlight and quote.

[Jeramy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook review:
Simple, straightforward, and clear. I would recommend listening at 1.25 or 1.5x speed though.

[Jason Ives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good meditation practices.

[John Hanson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Personify the mind and you end up with Buddhism. Enough aphorisms to make one puke.

[Laureen Solari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened during a hike, which was the perfect environment for such a book. Much too brief for someone trying to learn even the basics of Buddhism but if you only have an hour, this is your book.

[Margarete Maneker · Rating 3 out of 5]

good basic overview, i liked learning more about the different sects of buddhism

[Sher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great and short introduction with 2 guided meditations. Worth repeat listening on audiobook.

[Patricia Coloma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great way to reconnect with the beginner's mind

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this would be more of an explanation of the basic beliefs of Buddhism, but most of it was more of a guided meditation.

[Morgan Sohl · Rating 2 out of 5]

okay but nothing great. probably won't be reading kornfield's other books

[Malinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent, clearly written introduction to Buddhism. Despite being short and easy to understand, it contains a depth of information that merits re-reading. Kornfield approaches Buddhism from the viewpoint of a Westerner who is truly seeking the basics of Buddhism, an understanding of its overall philosophy and simple practice without delving into too much at once.

[Lisa Kavanaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook. Concise, easy to follow and covers all the basics. Love Jack. Do have some questions on how this jives with Siddhartha by Hesse but I've only barely scratched the surface :)

[Scott Sheaffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very understandable introduction to the wheel of life.