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Modern Buddhism: Buddha's Ancient Teachings For The Modern Person
To understand the words of the Buddha, they must be explained by one who has walked the path. From the very first chapter, we begin to dispel the misunderstandings that have surrounded the words of the Buddha. We come to understand the origins of unhappiness that have taken root in the body. Freeing ourselves from these roots, we are able to find peace. Although the words on the Buddha are easily mistaken, Devean gives us an extraordinary explanation for the modern person. The essence of the Buddha's path to enlightenment suited for the plights of the modern world. Modern Buddhism is unlike other Buddhist books. While others theorize and argue over the meaning of the words academically, Devean provides you with the meaning behind the words.
- GenresBuddhismNonfiction
66 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2021
About the author
Devean Chase
1 book1 followerDevean Chase is a spiritual teacher, mystic, and author known for the precision of his teachings and his 'spiritually rebellious' style. He is one of the leading teachers of self-realization, enlightenment, and a mixture of ancient philosophies. Deveans' approach to self-realization and enlightenment is designed to inspire and guide seekers that are tired of the round-about, convoluted, nature of modern spiritual teachings and to directly experience the truth themselves.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 20, 2021
A pithy introduction that completely lives up to its name
Recently my nephew asked me for a book on Buddhism. I thought of the books that had first introduced me to the path long ago: Zen Flesh, Zen Bones, The Teachings of the Compassionate Buddha, What the Buddha Taught, and many others. But these aren’t really what he needs; this is the book I’m going to give him.
This very short book is an excellent introduction through the Four Noble Truths or, as the writer calls him, the Four Realities and the Eightfold Path. The writer does an excellent job of dispelling the most common misconceptions such as desire, and no-self, and how they apply to the modern world where dukkha is easily buried below the awareness level of our too-distracted and tranquilized minds.
There are a couple of typos I noticed, at least in the Kindle edition; it would be great to see them fixed in a revision. nevertheless, this is the ideal introduction for many people we need a concise but thoroughly honest digest of the Eightfold Path.
Recently my nephew asked me for a book on Buddhism. I thought of the books that had first introduced me to the path long ago: Zen Flesh, Zen Bones, The Teachings of the Compassionate Buddha, What the Buddha Taught, and many others. But these aren’t really what he needs; this is the book I’m going to give him.
This very short book is an excellent introduction through the Four Noble Truths or, as the writer calls him, the Four Realities and the Eightfold Path. The writer does an excellent job of dispelling the most common misconceptions such as desire, and no-self, and how they apply to the modern world where dukkha is easily buried below the awareness level of our too-distracted and tranquilized minds.
There are a couple of typos I noticed, at least in the Kindle edition; it would be great to see them fixed in a revision. nevertheless, this is the ideal introduction for many people we need a concise but thoroughly honest digest of the Eightfold Path.
September 22, 2022
The main requirement in Buddhism is to shut off your mind when you aren't using it, and the surprising thing is how often that is. But it is difficult because we are raised to let our minds chatter on incessantly. The second part of Buddhism involves taking only what you need from the world and to stop longing for more. It isn't ownership that gets in your way, it is the longing that causes grief. But we are brought up to want as much as we can get, so this is also difficult. This book covers these topics in some detail, despite its small size. It also harkens back to the original Buddha's teaching and skips all the magical stuff that has invaded Buddhism in the last few decades.
There is a tricky part to Buddhism. If you long to be enlightened you never will be. You don't have to live in a cave or anywhere else, in particular, you just have to stop longing for what you don't have. It isn't easy, nor is it fun, but it can be a very interesting process. And it is cheap. You can be rescued from your mind for practically nothing and still call upon it when you need it. It may be the best deal on the planet, but you will have to work for it. This book is a pretty good explanation of how to do it.
There is a tricky part to Buddhism. If you long to be enlightened you never will be. You don't have to live in a cave or anywhere else, in particular, you just have to stop longing for what you don't have. It isn't easy, nor is it fun, but it can be a very interesting process. And it is cheap. You can be rescued from your mind for practically nothing and still call upon it when you need it. It may be the best deal on the planet, but you will have to work for it. This book is a pretty good explanation of how to do it.
August 7, 2024
A clear summary of traditional Buddhism, but less clear that it deals with contemporary problems confronting Buddhism.
The book does well to set out the traditional teachings of Buddhism in a relatively brief and thoughtful way, with contemporary allusions and references which show its enduring significance.
However, what I was hoping the book would do is provide some Buddhist answers to problems which arise in the interpretation of Buddhism, due to insights from modern psychology.
For example, the first of the Noble truths (or ‘realities’ as this book insists on calling them, 16%) is that reality consists of dukkha which is ‘the unhappiness we feel in everyday life’ (20%).
Interpreting dukkha in terms of feelings like ‘unhappiness’ is problematic in the modern world, as one of the problems confronting human existence arises due to conditions involved anhedonia (unfeelingness). This means that it is too simplistic to simply define negative feelings as a problem, as that omits the recognition that not being able to have feelings is also problematic.
Similar considerations arise if we bear in mind that feelings of unhappiness and pain are actually useful sometimes. There are well known examples of people who have suffered from conditions where they cannot feel pain and have ended up severely injured because they cannot feel the initial pains which would lead to caution and avoidance of worse problems.
What considerations like this suggest is that it is not so much dukkha that is the fundamental problem for humanity. It is inappropriate dukka that is the problem. If presentations of Buddhism are to properly do justice to Buddhism in the modern world, then they need to interpret Buddhism with a more sophisticated understanding of what it means to talk about dukkha.
Another concern I had with this book was that it sometimes used unnecessarily pejorative language. It referred to ‘tainted knowledge in some Buddhist interpretations (10%). And it referred to alternative viewpoints as ‘foolishness’ (77%). A good book should be able to express its viewpoint and defend its positions without utilizing pejorative language towards other viewpoints.
Overall, there are some informative descriptions in the book which explain aspects of Buddhism, so those unfamiliar with Buddhism may find the book useful. But the presentation does not engage with some of the more sophisticated critiques of Buddhism, so readers who are already aware of the main contours of Buddhist thinking may be less satisfied with this book.
The book does well to set out the traditional teachings of Buddhism in a relatively brief and thoughtful way, with contemporary allusions and references which show its enduring significance.
However, what I was hoping the book would do is provide some Buddhist answers to problems which arise in the interpretation of Buddhism, due to insights from modern psychology.
For example, the first of the Noble truths (or ‘realities’ as this book insists on calling them, 16%) is that reality consists of dukkha which is ‘the unhappiness we feel in everyday life’ (20%).
Interpreting dukkha in terms of feelings like ‘unhappiness’ is problematic in the modern world, as one of the problems confronting human existence arises due to conditions involved anhedonia (unfeelingness). This means that it is too simplistic to simply define negative feelings as a problem, as that omits the recognition that not being able to have feelings is also problematic.
Similar considerations arise if we bear in mind that feelings of unhappiness and pain are actually useful sometimes. There are well known examples of people who have suffered from conditions where they cannot feel pain and have ended up severely injured because they cannot feel the initial pains which would lead to caution and avoidance of worse problems.
What considerations like this suggest is that it is not so much dukkha that is the fundamental problem for humanity. It is inappropriate dukka that is the problem. If presentations of Buddhism are to properly do justice to Buddhism in the modern world, then they need to interpret Buddhism with a more sophisticated understanding of what it means to talk about dukkha.
Another concern I had with this book was that it sometimes used unnecessarily pejorative language. It referred to ‘tainted knowledge in some Buddhist interpretations (10%). And it referred to alternative viewpoints as ‘foolishness’ (77%). A good book should be able to express its viewpoint and defend its positions without utilizing pejorative language towards other viewpoints.
Overall, there are some informative descriptions in the book which explain aspects of Buddhism, so those unfamiliar with Buddhism may find the book useful. But the presentation does not engage with some of the more sophisticated critiques of Buddhism, so readers who are already aware of the main contours of Buddhist thinking may be less satisfied with this book.
April 10, 2021
Enlightening
It is not always good to just go by inherited information without every seeking out the source for truth. This book challenged what I previously believed about Buddha and have shed light on some of the sayings that have obviously been distorted in turning a path of wisdom into a religion.
There is a lot in this book to contemplate and look into the practicality of it from the perspective of our own individual journey but the gist of the narrative is that we are all already in possession of what we need to be happy.
It is not always good to just go by inherited information without every seeking out the source for truth. This book challenged what I previously believed about Buddha and have shed light on some of the sayings that have obviously been distorted in turning a path of wisdom into a religion.
There is a lot in this book to contemplate and look into the practicality of it from the perspective of our own individual journey but the gist of the narrative is that we are all already in possession of what we need to be happy.
August 14, 2022
Buddhism that works for today.
Very straightforward and understandable. For anyone who has ever tried and failed in comprehending how to apply ancient Buddhist teaching to their life, this may be the answer to your problems. Devean Chase takes the ancient texts from Buddha and clearly explains the overall spirit of the text then explains the reasons why they don't seem to work in this modern age like they did before. In the end Devean shows us that Buddha's ancient teachings are still as relevant today as they were a thousand years ago and most of all very doable even today.
Very straightforward and understandable. For anyone who has ever tried and failed in comprehending how to apply ancient Buddhist teaching to their life, this may be the answer to your problems. Devean Chase takes the ancient texts from Buddha and clearly explains the overall spirit of the text then explains the reasons why they don't seem to work in this modern age like they did before. In the end Devean shows us that Buddha's ancient teachings are still as relevant today as they were a thousand years ago and most of all very doable even today.
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May 10, 2022Buddhism for a modern age
This reads like a seminar for Buddhist teachings but with a more modern twist. It’s easy to digest and is written in an easy to understand way. For people who are interested in Buddhism for the modern age, then this is a good book to start on.
This reads like a seminar for Buddhist teachings but with a more modern twist. It’s easy to digest and is written in an easy to understand way. For people who are interested in Buddhism for the modern age, then this is a good book to start on.
December 30, 2022
Not bad but definitely religious
The teachings of Buddha are usually more towards self enlightenment whereas this book made it seem too religious for my tastes. Still, it was a quick and entertaining read.
The teachings of Buddha are usually more towards self enlightenment whereas this book made it seem too religious for my tastes. Still, it was a quick and entertaining read.
June 17, 2023
Love this message
Always seeking , always learning, and always doing, when we really just need to exist in the gap as much as possible.
This book brought me some clarity for my mediation and waking life.
Always seeking , always learning, and always doing, when we really just need to exist in the gap as much as possible.
This book brought me some clarity for my mediation and waking life.
July 26, 2023
Modern application of the Buddhist teachings
I enjoyed reading this book, it was quick and easy and applied the ancient teachings to modern day life. This book was very well written.
I enjoyed reading this book, it was quick and easy and applied the ancient teachings to modern day life. This book was very well written.
January 5, 2025
61 pages that could have been 10
It was repetitive. It was a slog. I don't feel I gained very much from this. I created misery by setting expectations for this book. Which he urges against. So I guess I learned something.
It was repetitive. It was a slog. I don't feel I gained very much from this. I created misery by setting expectations for this book. Which he urges against. So I guess I learned something.
November 23, 2021
Good Reminders
This is a good read to start your morning or before you go to bed. It is short enough but gives important information to sit with, and to help quiet the mind.
This is a good read to start your morning or before you go to bed. It is short enough but gives important information to sit with, and to help quiet the mind.
August 2, 2022
A solid ok, a lot of meandering paragraphs that are all basically the same.
December 12, 2022
Enlightening! 😉
Concise yet impactful outline of Buddhism. I appreciated the clarity and distinction from some other interpretations of the Buddha’s writings.
Concise yet impactful outline of Buddhism. I appreciated the clarity and distinction from some other interpretations of the Buddha’s writings.
August 17, 2023
Straight forward, easy to understand. I found this book as an eye opening.
October 24, 2023
This book doesn't share anything groundbreaking if you're Buddhist. If you're just exploring Buddhism, it offers a ton of insight. I feel mindblown.
February 1, 2024
Another Buddhist self help book. Some decent definitions, no new insights.
July 6, 2025
inspiring
Well written. Makes the complex simple. Makes the way of Buddhism approachable. You don’t have to do everything you think you should be doing.
Well written. Makes the complex simple. Makes the way of Buddhism approachable. You don’t have to do everything you think you should be doing.
April 23, 2026
Excellent for people interested in buddhism but don't understand older language. This book had so many helpful teachings I love it I could read it several times there's so much to grasp.
November 12, 2021
I had trouble with this book, mostly due to the writing style. That's not to say the book itself isn't worthwhile, but it wasn't for me.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews