Product Description

This is a book about awareness - it's about being 'awake' and in touch with what is going on here and now. Practical and down-to-earth, it deals exclusively with the present, not with speculation, theory or belief in some far-off time and place. The teachings of the Buddha are plain and straightforward, and because they remain focused on the moment they are just as relevant now as they have ever been. BUDDHISM PLAIN AND SIMPLE is the book for anyone wanting to discover, or rediscover, the essence of Buddhism.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4979 in Books
• Published on: 1999-04-29
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Will Buddhism solve the problems of everyday life? No. As the Buddha says, if you've got 83 problems, he can only help with your 84th problem, which is that "You want not to have any problems".

Steve Hagen, a Zen priest from Minnesota, shows a plain and simple route to the heart of the Buddhist way. He offers engaging parables, some drawn from his own experience and some from Buddhist tradition. And he guides the reader through the more difficult concepts without need of baffling Zen riddles. He makes enlightening yourself sound so easy.

By applying the Buddha's four truths and eightfold path to life today, the book aims to let the reader see the world in a new way.

When the Buddha was asked to sum up his teaching in a single word, he said, "awareness". This is a book about awareness. Not awareness of something in particular, but awareness itself--being awake, alert, in touch with what is actually happening.

The few special terms, such as samma and duhkha, are all explained thoroughly the first time they are used. Those unfamiliar with the ideas should make sure they read the book in sequence. But with a book this approachable and conversational, that isn't hard to do.

As with the best devotional books, readers will get as much from it as they are willing to put in. Can you accept the challenge to reconsider your life and outlook on the world? --Frank Pennycook

About the Author
Steve Hagen is a Zen priest and long-time teacher of Buddhism. For fifteen years he studied with Zen Master Dainin Katagiri. He lives in Minneapolis and teaches at Dharma Field Meditation and Learning Center in St. Paul.

Customer Reviews

Sheer Excellence!
This man is able to strip buddhism down to what it is really all about (presence and awareness). This book is so simple, highlighting the Buddhas deepest teachings in the way I think the Buddha would've done it himself. Buddha is famous for remaining silent when he was asked a question which had nothing to do with the brass tacks of presence and awareness. This man has done him proud in this book and for anyone interested in Buddhism or spiritual enlightenment this is a must read book. A book called The Awakening of Spiritual Awareness also highlights this simplicity deeply and beautifully and together they should help to bring the enlightenment you seek.

Amazing
I'm not sure I would have been able to get to the root of Buddhism as easily without Steve Hagen's book. Because of this book, I see the clarity of the Buddha's message. I respect the Buddha Dharma as it is essentially a scientific and experimental approach. One is not asked to take a leap of faith as so many other religions require. Buddhism is an adaptable approach that can work with any culture imaginable and any religion imaginable. Steve Hagen has presented a work that westerners can digest and easily find application to their everyday lives. Why? Because the core of Buddhism remains in the 4 noble truths and Mr. Hagen has done a superb job at focusing on just that. I fit the sterotype of a western skeptic myself, and can't find any argument against the 4 noble truths. If you are sincere about investigating Buddhism, read about the core of the Buddha's teaching, sincerely apply it to your life, then decide for yourself the value in it. Mr. Hagen's book is not the only way to do this, but I highly recommend it.

If you only read one book on Buddhism, read this
Steven Hagen's book strips away all the cultural accretions surrounding the subject and gets down to the core message.

His style is easy to read and connects with real life.

Rather than dwell on the ins and outs of reincarnation, 'other realms' and distracting imports of mainstream eastern buddhism, Hagen sticks to the main message of the Buddha.

An excellent introduction and one I have come back to after reading other 'recommended' books that seem to miss the point.