Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast Asia    2. Buddhism - History    3. Buddhism - Theravada    4. Religion    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Religious    7. Buddhism    8. Thailand   

Editorial Review

You don't have to be a practicing Buddhist to thoroughly appreciate these informative and engaging essays written by members of The Insight Meditation Society. Like a carefully prepared cup of green tea, each of these pieces is quieting to the psyche while energizing to the soul.Read more

Reviews (3)

Buddhism as it is practiced in the United States.
Each chapter of Voices of Insight is written by a different author, and almost all of them were born and raised in the United States. Then they trained and became ordained and legitimate lamas, abbots, Zen masters, and Buddhist teachers in India, Thailand, Japan, etc., and came back to the U.S. to teach. Buddhism is different in every country and in every historical period, and in this book we can see what modern American Buddhism is like. I think you're going to like it. Very right to the heart
This book is perhaps one of the nicest books I have read. It gives great stories, insight, and instruction from some of the best teachers of Buddhism. This book truly are the "Voices Of Insight" to the Buddhist heart.

Insightful and Tasty Teachings
"Voices of Insight" is a collection of essays by a variety of western Buddhist teachers, all of whom teach at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Mass.I have practiced with many of them, and so for methis book contains the familiar voices of friends.And so I was especiallydelighted by the fresh taste and the heartfulness of this book, and by howmuch I learned from reading it. There is a breadth and depth in thiscollection that can provide inspiration and spiritual nourishment for awide variety of circumstances and with a wide variety of personal styles.Many of the essays emphasized daily life practice, cultivating awarenessand compassion in the midst of washing dishes, working, shopping, etc.Itis inspiring to read these personal anecdotes about the teaching availablein everyday moments.A few of them describe the depth of the spiritualjourney, the cultivation of deep states of silence and concentration, andthe effort and joy of following this spiritual path to complete liberationof the heart.Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. Compassion    4. Eastern - General    5. General    6. Philosophy    7. Religion - World Religions    8. Religious aspects    9. Theravada Buddhism    10. Theravåada Buddhism    11. Vipasyana (Buddhism)    12. Vipaâsyanåa (Buddhism)    13. Religion / Buddhism   

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - Theravada    2. Doctrines    3. Religion    4. Spiritual life (Buddhism)    5. Theravåada Buddhism    6. Vipaâsyanåa (Buddhism)    7. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    8. Religion / Buddhism / Theravada   

Reviews (8)

Excellent book; highly recommended
Dipa Ma's life, practice and high level of attainment is truly inspirational.If you're looking for a book that will teach you the basic tenets of Theravadin Buddhism, this is not it.But, if you're looking for a powerfully inspirational story of a profoundly loving, compassionate master who transformed and inspired many Western practitioners this book is great.It really brought tears to my eyes and I keep rereading it and my wonder never ceases.It has good pictures and can easily be read in an evening.I've bought and sent copies to all the women in my life. Buy it, read it and enjoy!

Misrepresented Dipa Ma
I have always heard that Dipa Ma was a vegetarian.The author writes that she is not or implies that she is not.She misquoted Dipa Ma who was in fact a vegetarian.

Excellent Book
In response to the reviewer who claimed false advertising because the content of this book is the same as "Knee Deep in Grace" - with some attentiveness he will note it is in fact the same book reprinted. No one is trying to pull the wool over his eyes, the original publisher is no longer in business. Another publisher, wishing to keep this important Dhamma work in existence has republished it under a different title. (However, there are unscrupulous used book store owners attempting to sell the original title at exorbitant prices, claiming the book is out of print, which is untrue.) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Buddhism    3. Buddhism - General    4. Buddhism - Theravada    5. Buddhist women    6. Religion    7. Religion - World Religions    8. Religious    9. Spiritual biography    10. United States    11. Vipaâsyanåa (Buddhism)    12. Religion / Buddhism    13. Religious & spiritual leaders   

Reviews (1)

Valuable Perspectives
For someone wanting a general overview of Vipassana meditation as taught by S. N. Goenka, The Art of Living by William Hart is good.But for someone wanting an idea of what an intense 10-day Vipassana course of this type is like and how it can affect one's life, these personal accounts by people from all walks of life (business people, teachers, students, prisoners, priests, health-care professionals, etc.) from many different national, religious, and ethnic backgrounds give valuable perspectives.Read more

Subjects:  1. Anecdotes    2. Buddhism - Rituals & Practice    3. Buddhism - Theravada    4. Eastern - Buddhism    5. Eastern - General    6. Meditation    7. Religion    8. Religion - World Religions    9. VipaâsyanÃ¥a (Buddhism)    10. Buddhism    11. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    12. Religion / Buddhism / Rituals & Practice   

Reviews (10)

Flawed, but worth reading
The Gods Drink Whiskey is worth reading, despite a couple of flaws.On the positive side, it's an interesting adventure travel story.I appreciated Asma's incisive critique of American popular culture.I also applaud his mission to "take the California" out of Buddhism in America.Our self-indulgent consumer culture has even turned religion into just another commodity for personal consumption. I wasn't surprised that Asma's understanding of Buddhism differs from that of other scholars.What bothered me was his I've-got-the-one-true-faith attitude that dismisses other branches of Buddhism as fraudulent.I also believe his portrayal of the Vedanta philosophy of Hinduism was inaccurate.

a great read on Buddhism and Cambodia
I have just finished reading this book for the second
A great ride!
Bravo!This book was a great read.It will take you on a great ride through Cambodia and Buddhism. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Buddhism    3. Buddhism - Theravada    4. Description And Travel    5. Essays & Travelogues    6. Travel    7. Travel - General    8. Travel / Essays & Travelogues   

Reviews (4)

Excellent book, good reference material
A book you can use over and over again, about 100 some lists, with the most important lists explained in detail. Very good reference.

Wonderful explanations
Wonderful explanations of the Buddha's lists.The author explained it extremely well.I love the use of plain english and putting the explanations in language anyone can understand.The author is a scholar and highly educated, but unlike other scholars who write books, this author wrote in plain language, easily understandable and digestable.I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking the Buddha's wisdom or anyone who just wants a better understanding of the Buddha's teachings.

Best Buddhist reference book ever
This book is a valuable reference.I refer back to it all the time.I even keep a copy next to me when I meditate. ... Read more

Subjects:  1.  Theravada Buddhism   

Reviews (5)

Rich and Varied
This book is refreshing and abundant in its ability to present the wonderful breadth of Thai and Burmese Theravada.Prior to reading it, my exposure to Theravada was largely confined to that form practiced in Sri Lanka.It will certainly expose one to the richness expounded by adepts of the Forest Tradition.I cannot comment enough on the multifaceted nature of this school of Buddhism, with regard to differing perspectives on teaching and methodology.For those interested in expanding their knowledge of same, this is certainly a work to indulge in.

A very inspiring book!
This book is one of those 'classics' - it will always bring inspiration. The twelve different teachers/teachings which comprise the core of the text - come over as very real, very concrete - and, for all the exotic surfaces (they are, after all, S.E. Asian people) - what they have to say, to teach, is very much here and now.
almost the very best source on Theravada Buddhism
This book records the teachings of 12 Theravada Buddhists, mostly famous ones in their own societies: Achaan Chaa, Mahasi Sayadaw, Sunlun Sayadaw (via a disciple), Achaan Buddhadasa, Achaan Naeb, Achaan Maha Boowa, Taungpulu Sayadaw, Mohnyin Sayadaw, Mogok Sayadaw (via a disciple), U Ba Khin, Achaan Dhammadaro, and Achaan Jumnien. These are basically the most famous meditation instructors in Myanmar (Burma), Thailand and Laos. If you want to learn about Theravada meditation, either for scholarly reasons or to practice, you can't do better than this book without learning their languages.Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. Doctrines    4. Philosophy    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Spiritual life    7. Theravada Buddhism    8. Theravåada Buddhism    9. Vipasyana (Buddhism)    10. Vipaâsyanåa (Buddhism)    11. Religion / Buddhism   

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - Theravada    3. Compassion    4. Doctrines    5. Religion    6. Religion - World Religions    7. Religious aspects    8. Religious life    9. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    10. Religion / Buddhism / Theravada   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Buddhism - General    3. Buddhism - Theravada    4. Buddhist converts    5. History    6. Religion - World Religions    7. Religious life    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Sociology of Religion    11. Southeast Asian Americans    12. Theravada Buddhism    13. Theravåada Buddhism    14. United States    15. Buddhism    16. Religion / Buddhism   

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - General    2. Buddhism - Rituals & Practice    3. Buddhism - Theravada    4. Customs and practices    5. Religion    6. Religion - World Religions    7. Religious life    8. Sri Lanka    9. Theravåada Buddhism    10. Buddhism   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Asia - India & South Asia    3. Buddhism - General    4. Buddhism - History    5. Buddhism - Theravada    6. History    7. Nepal    8. Religion    9. Religion - World Religions    10. Theravåada Buddhism    11. Buddhism    12. Religion / Buddhism   

Reviews (1)

"Penetrating"
I have had the pleasure and good fortune of having read a number of works associated with various accomplished Buddhists - particularly those within the Theravada tradition.It is extraordinarily encouraging to know that a "lay person", like Upasika Nanayon, appears to have been able to both devote such time to and achieve such depth in the pursuit and development of concentration and insight while following the Buddha's Dharma.Her life and instructions are an inspiration for those of us aspiring to achieve some measure of clarity and understanding along the Path.Even though she was a lay person, she strikes me as having been on par with other monastic Buddhist notables (e.g., Ajahn Chah) in her ability to comprehend, convey and apply the essence of the teachings.It is my modest opinion that practitioners will be exceptionally enriched by becoming acquainted with her written work(s). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. Buddhism - Theravada    4. Doctrines    5. Meditation    6. Religion    7. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    8. Religion / Buddhism / Theravada    9. Religion / General   

Reviews (4)

Silence: How to find Inner Peace in a busy world
I found Silence to be a wonderful part of my meditation and self-calming efforts in this all too tense and busy world.It is a beautiful book in its writing and its wonderful pictures. I was instantly calmed when I read the first section, and looked forward to reading more each night before sleep. I am buying copies to gift to my tense friends and family.I plan to reread my copy often.I would highly recommend this peaceful and beautifully written book to anyone seeking calmness and peace in their lives.
A worthwhile keepsake
It took me several turns of heart before I bought this book, and all because this book costs SGD 60.27 at Kinokuniya Singapore. It was clinged wrapped at first and I had the service people opened it for me. The cover was a simple jacket of gold with the words "silence" in striking gold. The subtitle and the author's name appear in white. As silent as the subject of the book, the cover design is simple and freeing - full of space. I was struck (as with all coffee table book) by the quality of printing, the paper quality and the quality of the pictures. I discover at the point of writing this review that the book was printed and bound by a printer in Singapore. It was typeset and laid out in graphic style, not like the normal print of a book.
"Silence"
I have been attempting to read this book but haven't gotten very far. It has delightful pictures and the words are nice, however I can't tell yet if it is repetitive in content. It is different than I expected. I do think there is potential for it to be a book one would want to read when relaxation is a goal. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - Theravada    2. Hatha Yoga    3. Meditation    4. Peace of mind    5. Psychology    6. Religion    7. Religious Life (Buddhism)    8. Religious aspects    9. Silence    10. Spiritual    11. Spiritual life    12. Yoga   

Reviews (3)

Worth your while
I think this book is inspirational and beautifully written.In response to the previous review, I've studied Mahayana Buddhism for two years now and did not find that Christina Feldman contraditcted any of these teachings in her writing.While I agree she may make some generalized statements, at the same time, I think her writing is guided by some very positive and meaningful intentions: to empower, enlighten, and enliven women- all without having to put down or take anything away from the world of men. She attempts to show women a path that exists outside of the societal norms and gender roles so many feel compelled to comply with.I think it's a great book and definitely worth reading.

Lacks balance
The author is an Insight Meditation Society teacher who studied Theravada/Mahayana Buddhism for 5 years in India.But this book is nothing like Goldstein's "Experience of Insight," rather it's an elementary level, popular book with few references & no bibliography.It's quite short yet wordy & is full of over-generalizations, complaints/criticisms, self-contradictions (especially between chapters), 1-sided/biased views, platitudes, & value-based assumptions.IHMO the author should have used "I" rather than "We" (all or most women?) since "We" is "Me" upside down.The writing style is choppy & disjointed, like a series of bullets or 1-liners--many of which seem wise, but also self-evident & redundant.Surprisingly she seems to contradict many standard Buddhist views.She condemns fairytales: "Fairytales join the conventional culture in transmitting clear warnings to rebellious females" (vs. Marie-Louise von Franz, Lois Khan, Jean Bolen et al who tout their value & provide psychological interpretations of archetypal images in relation to psyche & society).Much criticism might be alleviated by knowledge of Jungian psychology (e.g. the correlation between Feelers/women is about 2:1; same as for Thinkers/men--so much gender stereotyping is actually/merely personality preference & subject to conscious change), Vajrayana Buddhism (which uses emotions for spiritual purposes), & familiarity with relating Psychology & Eastern Thought (e.g. Suler, Rubin, Katz, Goleman, Levine, et al).She includes several guided meditations but I'm a bit wary of their use by the uninitiated-there could be danger.She makes some valuable observations: "Our spiritual insights are only liberating if they are integrated & applied," "In the rigidity in which we hold our models they become unconscious truths that are accepted as reality," "To continue to blame men, tradition or institutions for denying our spirituality is symptomatic of our unreadiness to be alone & trust in our own spiritual awakening," "If we adopt the role of the powerless, we actually become powerless."But other assertions aren't tenable: "An authentic spiritual path will never call upon us to surrender our freedom to question, our inner direction or our trust" ["never" allows no exceptions but the unconscious is non-rational], "The self-image we hold, whether negative or positive, is rooted in our conditioning" [her nurture view is incomplete, nature=genetics is equally important plus there's karma-she presents simplistic views/partial pictures].She contradicts herself & exemplifies what she vilifies--e.g. she extensively speaks about conditioning & the futility of willpower ("We cannot help but enact our internalized beliefs.We cannot help but enact and express our vision of who we are" which seems pretty deterministic to me), yet attempts to inspire people to consciously change themselves.She fails to adequately address balance & to recognize the cyclic nature of life (see "The Kybalion"), tending to present a na�ve, binary (black & white) view--occasional statements to the contrary cannot counteract the bulk of her expositions.There are far better books to read than this one:for Buddhist practices-Pema Chodron, Buddhist popular psychology-Thubten Chodron, Buddhist Women's issues/sociology-Karma Lekshe Tsomo, great woman practitioners-Tsultrim Allione (history) & Tenzin Palmo/Vickie MacKenzie (contemporary) & many others (e.g. Dresser)-see my Listmania lists on Buddhist Women & Society & Western Buddhist Nuns.

Arise, Sleeping Beauty!
Rebeccasreads highly recommends WOMAN AWAKE as a book to be relished daily, in small doses, like the very best of delicacies - mindfully, thoughtfully, carefully, & yes, joyously -- first class sustenance for the mind & spirit. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. Buddhism - Rituals & Practice    4. Buddhism - Theravada    5. Buddhist women    6. Meditation    7. Religion    8. Religion - World Religions    9. Religious Life (Buddhism)    10. Religious life    11. Spirituality - Women's    12. Women And Religion (General)    13. Women's Studies - General    14. Religion / Buddhism / Theravada    15. Religious experience   

Reviews (1)

Dharmic Masterpiece
This book is a dharmic masterpiece and a brilliant exposition of the universal truths expounded since time immemorial.The sagacious and infinitely precious words of the eternal spiritual star, Gautama Buddha, are delicately and poignantly brought home again as it crosses through the illusory barriers of time and space through the pen of the Venerable Rahula Basnagoda.The relevance of this work to our contemporary world is the gift supreme that Sage Basnagoda is gifting to the world at large.For anyone interested in deepening the quest for inner peace and awakening, this book is a must.I consider it a treasure beyond measure.
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Subjects:  1. Buddhism - Theravada    2. Inspiration & Personal Growth    3. Motivational & Inspirational    4. Religion   

Reviews (1)

The Four Foundations of Mindfulness, 2nd Edition
I am going to be attending a retreat on the same title and this book was recommended as preparation.
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Subjects:  1. Buddhism - General    2. Criticism, interpretation, etc    3. Dighanikaya    4. Dåighanikåaya.    5. Eastern - General    6. Mahasatipatthanasutta    7. Mahåasatipaòtòthanasutta    8. Religion    9. Religion - World Religions    10. Suttapitaka    11. Suttapiòtaka.    12. Tipitaka    13. Tipiòtaka.    14. Buddhism    15. Religion / Buddhism / Theravada   

Reviews (4)

Thai Buddhism in a Historical and Social Context
This is a book which I :
Review of Buddha in the Jungle
Dr. Kamala Tiyavanich's latest book,"The Buddha in the Jungle," is a wonderful collection of fascinating tales, rich in the exotic beauty and mystery of 19th century Buddhist Thailand. From the horrors of the charnel grounds to the quiet serenity of tropical forest shrines, Dr. Tiyavanich's stories of Buddhist practioners and saints will captivate, inspire and teach the reader.A native of Thailand and a Buddhist practitioner in the Thai Theravada trdition, Dr. Tiyavanich writes in her characteristic style of detail and clarity, making this scholarly work fresh, exciting and easily accessible to every reader.I found this book to be a joy to read and I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in Bhuddism.

Review of Buddha in the Jungle
...."I recommend this book to anyone who harbors one of more of the following persona:The historian who enjoys pouring over colonial memoirs which detail exotic places and scenes of west-meets-east-for-the-first time;the ethnographer tracking wisdom traditions as expressed in lifestyles of rural villagers;the armchair thrill-seeker who longs for hair-raising jungle adventures; and the spiritual aspirant hoping to meet realized practitioners who are the living embodiment of the Buddha's teachings." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Anthropology - Cultural    3. Archaeology / Anthropology    4. Asia - Southeast Asia    5. Buddhism    6. Buddhism - General    7. Buddhism - Theravada    8. Buddhism and social problems    9. Buddhist monks    10. History    11. Religion    12. Religious life and customs    13. Thailand    14. Asceticism    15. Asian studies    16. Community development    17. Religious communities & monasticism   

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. Doctrines    4. Religion    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Theravada Buddhism    7. Theravåada Buddhism   

Reviews (1)

Highly valuable and accessible resource
This book supplies something hard to find: a presentation of the daily lives and routine of the original Buddhist monks, as much as we can get, based on solid research, good translations, and a clear understanding of the Buddha's teachings.It is presented in a style that is not overburdened with technical language or jargon.Tremendously useful and pleasant to read.Here is what they wore, what they ate, how they got it, why they were instructed to travel, and how the monastic code (Vinaya) was interpreted as times changed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - General    2. Buddhism - History    3. Eastern - General    4. Monasticism and religious orde    5. Monasticism and religious orders, Buddhist    6. Religion    7. Religion - World Religions    8. Theravada Buddhism    9. Theravåada Buddhism    10. ASIA    11. Buddhism    12. Religion / Buddhism