Essential Buddhism: A Complete Guide to Beliefs and Practices

by Jack Maguire

Four hundred million people call themselves Buddhists today. Yet most Westerners know little about this powerful, Eastern-spawned faith. How did it begin? What do its adherents believe? Why are so many Westerners drawn to it?
Essential Buddhism responds to these questions and many more, offering an accessible, global perspective on the religion's past, present, and future. It identifies how the principal concepts and practices originated and evolved through diverse cultural adaptations into three basic
* Theraveda (including Vipassana, brought from Vietnam in the 1960s and including such practitioners as Jack Kornfield and Jon Kapat-Zinn)
* Mahayana (including Zen Buddhism, originally brought to America by Japanese teachers after World War II and popularized by Jack Kerouac and Thomas Merton)
* Vajrayana (including Tibetan Buddhism, from the teachers who fled the Chinese takeover of Tibet in the 1950s as well as the Dalai Lama, and embraced by Allen Ginsberg, Richard Gere, and countless others)
Essential Buddhism is the single best resource for the novice and the expert alike, exploring the depths of Buddhism's popularity and illuminating its tenets and sensible approach to living. Written in the lucid prose of a longtime professional storyteller, and full of Buddhist tales, scriptural quotes, ancient stories, and contemporary insights, Essential Buddhism is the first complete guide to the faith and the phenomenon.

Genres: Buddhism, Philosophy, Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality, History

288 pages, Paperback

First published May 22, 2001

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great read for anyone interested in a general overview of Buddhism. I truly enjoyed reading Buddha's story, the effect his teachings had on the world throughout history, and the different interpretations of his message. Found it very intriguing that Aesop's fables are stories translated from stories about Buddha's past lives. Honestly, it is the most beautiful religion I have ever read about (and I have read about many in my quest for answers). Despite being against religion for the most part, Buddhism has always been intriguing to me as I agree 100% with the main points...

4 Noble Truths

1. All life is suffering.
2. The cause of suffering is desire.
3. Suffering can be ended.
4. The way to end suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path.

The Noble Eightfold Path

1. right understanding
2. right thought
3. right speech
4. right action
5. right livelihood
6. right effort
7. right mindfulness
8. right meditation

I mean, how can you really argue with that? lol. If I was to ever decide to be religious, this would definitely be the religion for me as the truths and path are self-evident. Anyway, this book was well written and very interesting. Again, I would recommend if anyone has ever been curious about the religion / philosophy but doesn't quite know much about it.

[Mark Durene]

I don't subscribe to the beliefs expressed in this book but it is a solid explanation of Buddhism.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very heavy book on Buddhism. It goes in great depth is what I mean. My first book into Buddhism and I am highly impressed. A worthwhile to read through once and then go through again as you understand the religion for what it is. Its is a great learning to the religion as well as the history of a very old and interesting religion.

[Jamie Towns · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book goes into great detail and is stacked full of history and knowledge, so for a beginner this is not an easy read and is not how I would suggest introducing yourself to Buddhism. But once you are a little more familiar, this is a must read. I did learn a lot from this book.

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chapter on the history of the 3 vehicles over time was very helpful. I had quite a few "a-ha!" moments as various things I had wondered about clicked into place.

The last chapter feels extremely dated and stale even though it hasn't been 20 years since this was written.

[Conner Posten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easily the most comprehensive guide to all things buddhism and tailored for the curious westerner, very engaging and worthwhile :)

[Brandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is informative, particularly on the history of Buddhism. It felt somewhat "academic" and as a reader I felt like an observer. Perhaps I just didn't expect this when I got into reading it.
I liked the explanations of different vehicles of Buddhism. I'm sure many would benefit from this learning. But he goes on to talk about Buddhism in the west and I think some of his claims require a bit of critical reflection on my part before I can form a better opinion.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview of Buddhism

I really enjoyed this comprehensive book regarding the history , differing schools, sects within Buddhism and the basic principles beliefs . Well worth reading when exploring Buddhism personally and having confusion about all the different traditions, schools etc.

[Katelin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book in my college western ethics philosophy class. I Consider it a well rounded explanation of Buddhism wrote in a fresh point of view, modern and easy to understand. Definitely more educational then for just leisure. Easily digestible not to overwhelming. I’d suggest for a university class because it was more enjoyable then reading a traditional text book.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the early parts about the history of Buddhism and the different vehicles; the later parts around the spread of Buddhism and looking towards the future dragged a bit and now feel dated (20+ years on)

[Rodolfo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the 2nd time I read the book and I had a much better impression of it after my first read through. I can therefore say that it is a GREAT book for those who are starting to look into Buddhism and specially for those in the US. It really is an essential guide which is perfect for beginners. For me, who was looking to brush up and remember some of what I've learnt on the Dharma, it was not as helpful. Would not recommend it for a "refresher" and will continue to seek another option for this goal.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though rather a tough read (due to the language and religious references) it was still a good read. This book is culturaly rich with all of it's lessons, history, and folk tales pertaining to The Buddha and Buddhists around the world. However I wouldn't suggest it for someone looking for a less textbook-like rendition of Buddhism and it's teachings.

[Margot · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is perfect for someone who doesn't know much about Buddhism and wants to set a good foundation of understanding before going into more specific and in-depth readings about the topic. I particularly liked Maguire's sections on the three Buddhist forms--Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana--and the differences between them. Definitely an easy, informative, and interesting read.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really excellent, comprehensive look at many aspects of the underpinnings of what makes Buddhism tick.

Took me forever to read, because it required reading, re-reading and thinking about so much of what was covered.

I really enjoyed it.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book for anyone who has a passing knowledge of Buddhism, but wants to go deeper. No preaching here, but much information about different sects, their beliefs, and practices. This would be a great book for someone who is not Buddhist, but has Buddhist friends, coworkers, etc.

[Rusty N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview of Buddhism as philosophy and religion. Covers the various traditions, history and modern state. Includes into to their practices as well. I found it clear, straight forward and unassuming.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essential Buddhism is a read that struggles between what it says in its title and what you find. Some parts are long and wordy and yet some parts, the bare essentials of Buddhism are great and remarkably vivid. It was a good read and hopefully people can take what they can from it.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book on the basics of Buddhism. He avoids the trap of commenting on Christianity to attempt to seem relevant to the casual Christian. If you want to understand Buddhist basics, go with this, recommended to me by a Buddhist priest.

[Will Seith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice book that gives you background information on Buddhism and the three main schools of Buddhism. Great book to explain Buddhism but if you're looking for unfory on practicing Buddhism not so much

[Meen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I were to commit myself to a religion, it would be to Buddhism. No dieties necessary! :)

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good, thorough introduction!

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good friend of mine suggested this book but only after first reading "What The Buddha Taught". I suggest the same path for anyone just getting started with learning about this way of life.

[Cheryl Hendricks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative read about Buddhism. Lots of easy to understand facts.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to Buddhism with a thorough history of it's development throughout the world.

[Brian Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than an introduction, ths is an easy read that brings together the essential themes of Buddhist traditions, practice and Buddha's life.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed history of Buddhism, spanning all the major traditions.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introductory text.