Modern Buddhism: The Path of Compassion and Wisdom, Volume 1: Sutra by Kelsang Gyatso

Modern Buddhism: The Path of Compassion and Wisdom, Volume 1: Sutra Reviews

• 
  Sean Barrs

  This is not modern Buddhism because the writer has a striking inability to speak to the modern reader.
  
  And despite his clear authority on the subject, I consider his explanations on Buddhism to be some of the worst I have ever read. The problem is that he doesn’t address the practicalities of Buddhism in a modern world; he does not engage with the reader or attempt to teach him how to practice, learn and grow. Instead, it relays the separation between different levels of Buddhism. It’s detached and passionless, removed completely from the word modern.
  
  Because of the nature of what he is discussing, it is very hard to separate factual information from the author’s own opinion. The two are blended together in a very awkward way. It’s just so poor. There are no real suggestions on how to apply these teachings here to real life. It’s vague. And it doesn’t work towards helping the reader. Surprisingly, it’s also loaded with dogma which I found quite arrogant for a Buddhist text.
  
  It has clearly been written by someone who is quite sheltered and naive towards the real workings of the world, and that's kind of sad. For all his ideals, he can't comprehend that applying them into the daily lives of normal people requires a different approach and a different amount of effort. This book isn't remotely helpful.
  
  I sincerely recommend avoiding it to anyone who has a passing interest in the subject. You’re much better of trying
  What the Buddha Taught or
  Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice.
• 
  Melissa

  Barely managed to finish skimming it. A lot of people apperently found it immensely helpful but I found it pretentious and repetitive, as though he was trying to add length.
  Chapter two was just depressing, not that it made me depressed so much as annoyed to the point I needed to look at Huston Smith's World Religions to remind me why I like Buddhism and its happy compassionate nature, I mean you look at the Dalai Lama he's always smiling, but that chapter went on about suffering through life ad nauseam. How would anyone know we are so miserable and horrified in the womb anyway?!
  The next chapter got better but then that's where it simply dragged. I took a couple notes from it, see the bottom for my highlights, but aside from a few nice descriptions on patience and compassion and such the most "help" I got was the desire to reread Huston Smith and that I should use my Meditation for Dummies book.
  
  --
  
  “All the happiness there is in the world
  Arises from wishing others to be happy,”
  “Normally, when we start a job, we commit ourself to fulfilling our employer’s wishes; otherwise we shall quickly lose our job. In the same way, having generated bodhichitta – the determination to attain enlightenment to benefit each and every living being directly – we need to commit ourself”
  “In the practice of patience we should never allow ourself to become angry or discouraged, by temporarily accepting any difficulties or harm from others. When we practice patience we are wearing the supreme inner armor that directly protects us from physical sufferings, mental pain, and other problems… There is no greater evil than anger… there is no greater virtue than patience.”
• 
  Joon Ho

  The book is titled "Modern Buddhism" as according to the author "presentation of Dharma
  is designed especially for the people of the modern world". Book I covers "Sutra", 2 "Tantra" and 3 "Prayers for Daily Practice"
  My main issues with this book are:
  1. The author does cover some fundamental doctrines in Buddhism but it is not often explicitly stated so and to one new to Buddhism it is difficult to separate doctrine from the author's opinion. For example concepts like the three marks of existence (impermenance, unsatisfactoriness and non-self), the Eightfold Path are referred to but not explicitly mentioned.
  2. In relation to the above issue, there is a lack of referencing system for the interested reader to explore other Buddhist literature. And for a volume titled "Sutra", not much of the actual sutras are explicitly referenced. The author does have a predilection for referencing other Tibetan literature, and in particular other books he had written. I don't find this helpful to the reader looking beyond Tibetan, and particularly, this author's own books.
  3. The author covers the concept of unsatisfactoriness (dukkha) but describes it as "suffering". True we do experience suffering from time-to-time, but my understanding of is that dukkha is more subtle and pervasive. It encompasses not only physical and mental suffering but the unfulfilment from clinging to impermanent objects, the very basis of our existence. The repeated use of the term "suffering" to me is inadequate and inaccurate and to the casual reader might create the view of Buddhism as a particularly morose philosophy! Furthermore the author uses some dubious examples of suffering e.g. when describing life in utero "but as soon as these
  develop we begin to experience pain..... our limbs grow it feels as if our body is being stretched out on a rack.... womb it is hot and dark..... tightly compressed space full of unclean substances... being squashed inside a small water tank full of filthy liquid with the lid tightly shut so that no air or light can come through." Which does make the reader think "And how does he know that?"
  4. Similarly the entire book is peppered with dogma, along the lines of this practice will definitely lead to that in your next life etc. (Again one thinks "And how does he know that?") The section on developing compassion almost borders on the power of wishful thinking. Granted accepting any doctrine requires some degree of faith, but I feel the author stretching things a bit.
  5. The last portion of the book ventures into metaphysics. Admittedly I am just a humble student in this matter but I found the author's explanation and examples very tedious and convoluted. The author goes on and on regarding the same topic using several not-so-succinct examples. The author tries to explain the concept of emptiness and the self is merely a convention to refer to the a collection of parts, but I do feel the explanation lacking. For instance "A cup, for instance, appears to exist independently of its parts, its causes and the mind that apprehends it, but in reality it totally depends upon these things. Because the way the cup appears to our mind and the way it exists do not correspond, the cup is a false object." does not make a convincing argument.
  
  Overall I feel this book wanting. I am aware it is used primarily in the New Kadampa Tradition of which the author was the founder. To me, as a guide to incorporating Buddhism in your daily life, this book doesn't quite work. As a introduction to core Buddhist ideas, this book doesn't quite do it either. And as an introduction to Buddhist metaphysics it's a tedious read.
  
  A far better introduction is "What Buddhists Believe" by K Sri Dhammananda
  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20...
  A better introduction (from an academic and non-practitioner standpoint) is "Buddhist Thought - A Complete Introduction to the Indian Tradition"
  
  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62...
  And finally to me, a far better analogy of the self as aggregate can be found in the Milindapanha (Questions for King Milinda), just read the bit on the chariot!
• 
  Chrislene

  What I liked about this book was that it was free and on Buddhism. I think that's all that I liked about it. I was confused reading this the majority of the time. I couldn't even finish it. The fluidity of the book was like a hurricane. There was no water, all wind. I wish I could give some examples but since I really didn't like this book, it was hard for me to focus.
  
  Since I am somewhat new to Buddhism, I was looking for a book that gave me a clear sense of the principles. Many of the examples given in the book circled and felt disconnected. Yes I can think of an example now! Like the time when the author explained a principle repeating the principle over and over again. "We must live in emptiness, emptiness is what we must practice, practice of emptiness is what is." Oh wait, this was the entire book. Well this was not an actual example but it was a paraphrase of about 50 pages.
  
  I am grateful for anything free so I gave this book two stars. I guess I have to pay for clarity in learning Buddhism thru books....
• 
  Andrew

  This is an introduction to Buddhism which outlines many of the philosophical ideas behind the religion. Whilst there is much repetition throughout the book, I think it would need to be re-read a number of times to really grasp the concepts.
• 
  Michael

  Another freebie from Kindle. I did not read this whole book. Being at the beginning of my studies of Buddhism and mindfulness, I can already tell that the Tibetan strand is not going to be for me. Don't get me wrong: I love me some Tibetans! I admire their great emphasis on compassion, and I love how prolific their teachers are with regard to writing, websites, Buddhist centers where one can take classes, etc. Great people. But, there is just too much religion in their interpretation. Too many spirits and gods and rituals. I am not saying those are bad things. I am saying that, coming off of 45 years of Catholicism, I don't need any more smells and bells.
  
  Still: insightful people with good hearts. I am fortunate to have had many Tibetan students over the years. I have a great affection for them, and for their culture.
  
  But color me Zen.
• 
  Sue

  I found parts of this book tedious and some parts very enlightening. When the book got deeper into the more, let's go with supernatural, beliefs l was unable to relate with what the author was trying to say. I don't honestly believe in reincarnation or samsara, but when l got into the sections about meditation and how to achieve enlightenment, l found this book to be pretty interesting. I know l need more inner peace and l am also desperately trying to shake off my very Western materialism and l find buddhist ideals really help me to calm down and and think rationally. I should say that l try to think more practically, its going to be a long process, but l think this was, at the end of the day, helpful and insightful.
• 
  Lisa Aguilera

  I'm seeing a lot of correlation on perception and awareness between this book and
  Power vs. Force: The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior. Interesting how whenever you read a couple books there seems to be an underlying correlation between them. Very philosophical.
• 
  Monstrous Abeer

  
  “Emptiness is the way things really are. It is the way things exist as opposed to the way they appear.”
  
  
  I did not like this book, and I will never read it again. I merely loved the style it was written in, and the way it describes the feelings we sink into and feel.
  
• 
  Bernie Gourley

  This is the first book in a three volume overview of Buddhism that is available for free (or for the minimum Kindle book price on Amazon.) The book is written by a Tibetan Buddhist scholar-monk, and, therefore, emphasizes the Mahayana approach and specifically that of the Gelug school. (I’m a neophyte, but I don’t think this book goes into so much detail as to be controversial among Tibetan Mahayana Buddhists, but if you are thinking you’ll learn about, say, Zen or Theravadan Vipassana, not so much.) The theme of this volume is an overview of the Limram, which is a sutra describing the path to enlightenment.
  
  The book is divided into four sections. The first offers a broad overview of Buddhism with particular discussion of the Kadam Lamrim (the specific sutra discussed) and Kadampas (which is the name for an individual who pursues practice of the Kadam Lamrim.) The other three sections describe the information needed by an initiate, middling practitioners, and advanced practitioners, respectively.
  
  The section on persons of initial scope (i.e. initiates) emphasizes the need to recognize the limited scope of a human life, to reflect upon one’s imminent death, and to consider the importance of avoiding lower rebirth.
  
  The section on persons of middling scope echoes the four noble truths. They are discussed by way of the four questions: 1.) What one should know? 2.) What one should abandon? 3.) What one should practice? And 4.) What one should attain? In essence, it suggests one understand suffering, the path to is cessation, and that one follow that path.
  
  The largest section, by far, is the portion on individuals of great scope. It is divided into four parts. The first part describes the need to revise one’s approach to love by taking oneself out of the center and practicing loving-compassion for those that one doesn’t know. The second subsection outlines the six perfections (giving, moral discipline, patience, effort, concentration, and wisdom) and the importance of each. The third section is about emptiness and truth. The final section is a brief description of the Lamrim practice.
  
  There are a small number of line drawn illustrations of important figures in the tradition. There are no notations, citations, or ancillary material.
  
  I found this book to offer a concise overview of the subject of Buddhism—specifically from the perspective of the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. While there are some historical stories, such as those drawn from the life of Milarepa, the book is not designed to be entertaining reading. It’s a straightforward transmission of knowledge. In that regard it does a fine job, it’s clear and concise.
  
  I’d recommend this book for one who’s interested Tibetan Buddhism, but one should be aware that it’s not a nonsectarian overview of Buddhism as the title might suggest to a reader.
  
• 
  Jenny

  This complex book introduces the subject of Buddhism in a thorough and interesting manner. By 'complex' I mean the concepts that the author speaks about may be a little difficult to grasp for the beginner/novice learner to the subject, notably the ideas of 'emptiness' and 'enlightenment'. It is a very deep book.
  
  The notion of 'emptiness' is more pronounced towards the end of the book when Gyatso urges us to meditate on the 'emptiness of all phenomena'. He is saying that enlightenment will be achieved via intense meditation and he stresses the importance of taming the mind this way. Basically he writes that humans will eventually be free from all suffering if we practise deep compassion for other human beings aside from ourselves...
  
  'All phenomena lack inherent existence' - is Gyatso's definition of 'emptiness'.
  
  The author is very articulate in his writing, and it has given me the thirst to read further similar books on Buddhism.
  
  I could not put this book down and read it within 3 days!
• 
  Corey Thibodeaux

  I couldn't get through it. On the surface, the teachings of avoiding material attachment and cultivating your soul were nice. I've studied Buddhism and it has some worthy lessons. But the whole talk of "you will never feel pain again if you do this" and "to never put your values in something that won't survive the ravages of time" didn't sit well with me.
  
  They used an example of a car. If my car gets dinged or scratched, I won't cry about it. I agree with this book on that. But if I my car breaks down all together, I'm going to feel anxiety. How will I get to my job, how will I get food, how am I going to get the necessary items I need to survive?
  
  That's all going to go through my head because even though I will be dead longer than I'll be alive, I need to focus on what's in front of me. Passion is the ability to feel love and pain, and I need that if I'm going to get through this life.
  
  I'll take the good values out of the book, but it was pretty near-sighted and archaic for being "modern."
• 
  Daniel Tinivella

  The teachings presented in this book are methods
  Scientists to improve our nature and qualities
  Through the development of the mind. In the last
  Years, our knowledge of modern technologies has
  Considerably increased and, as a result, we have
  Witnessed remarkable material progress. But nevertheless,
  The happiness of the human being has not increased
  Same way. Today there are no fewer sufferings nor less
  Misfortunes in the world, it could even be said that now
  We have more problems and there are more dangers than ever. This
  Indicates that the cause of happiness and the solution to our
  Problems are not in the knowledge of the world
  external. Happiness and suffering are mental states
  And, therefore, its main causes do not exist outside
  Of the mind itself. If we want to be truly happy
  And free ourselves from suffering, we must learn to control
  our mind.
• 
  smilljns

  I would not recommend this book to whom is starting looking into Buddhism. Buddhism can be a soft, compassionate spiritual practice that helps deal with trauma and daily challenges in an open, loving way. In this book on the contrary, Buddhism is presented as a religion and faith that have to be followed with determination and commitment. In this sense, this is a book written for people who are already practising in order to obtain Nirvana. Also, it gets very deep into abstract concepts like emptiness when the author introduces the Heart Sutra, the ultimate truth. If you are at the beginning and you want to know more about Buddhism, I would suggest you to start with a book by Thich Nhat Hanh who is a Buddhist Zen Master with a more contemporary, embracing approach, who uses also a simpler language, easy to understand by everyone.
• 
  Emma

  This book does seem to have sparked a change in me, I've always been aware of all the subjects discussed and Buddhism seems like a positive lifestyle to me but not until now have I started to feel a benefit simply by reading on a subject. I am surprised to feel this way because at the time the book felt a bit mystical and like speaking to a stubborn person.
  
  The text seemed to labour the same points but somehow gently developed my understanding of the logic it was trying to communicate. It also heavily relied on metaphors and I feel as though the Modern Buddhist might require a more scientific explanation, which I'm confident there is.
  
  As I said though I feel resolved about this lifestyle (I still hesitate to consider my approach as a religion!) in a way I hadn't until I read it.
  
  
• 
  Ryan Oxley

  The fact that I like Buddhism, mindfulness, meditation, and all things within that field, should mean that I liked this book. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. It was the title that gave me intrigue and promise, but the book failed to deliver any of that and on all counts. It came across as rather dogmatic and the deity drivel put me right off.
  
  There are MANY good books about Meditation out there, I would go seek, find, and meditate on those. This may have been free, but unfortunately, not all of the best things in life actually are. That is also a misnomer - just like the title of this book!
• 
  Stevie

  This book was my introduction to Buddhism…I was astonished by the powerful imagery conjured in my mind through the words of the author…this book began a journey for me, however, it served more as a catalyst for further enquiry and away from the dogmatic approach to Buddhism presented by the author, this does not diminish the fact that this book had a huge impact in the direction of my life.
• 
  Diana

  A great introduction into Buddhism with a modern applicable ways to approach the practice of "emptiness." I like how the author approached the idea that everything in this world is a mere phenomenon so we should not invest our attention any deeper then the attention we put into the things we see in our dreams.
• 
  Gabriela Vizuet

  Es un libro muy fácil de leer el cual te explica los inicios del budismo y los principios básicos.
  Me parece que son 3 tomos así que este es solo el inicio.
  Pero pienso que es un buen libro si, como yo, eres muy nuevo en el tema y quieres aprender más del budismo.
• 
  Ed Barton

  Stepping In
  
  A brief read on the principles of Buddhism, including meditations, sutras and concepts of renunciation and illusion. Written to be very easy to read and implement, this first in a three book series gives you a good foundation for exploration.
• 
  Edward Kimble

  Okay, let me get this straight. My existence is an illusion (as apparently are the existences everyone else who read this book) and yet we reincarnate for many lifetimes until we finally understand that our existence is an illusion. Hmmm.
  
  In logic, if an assumption is incorrect, the conclusion will be incorrect. Garbage in, garbage out. The mechanical deconstruction of self into (non-existent, mind you) components of body and mind leaves out a few essentials, such a life and DNA. So I'm not (yet) convinced that I don't exist.
  
• 
  Richard Raw

  A great summary of modern Buddhism
  
  This is a very good summary of modern Buddhism from a Tibetan perspective. A very good and useful read. I'd recommended this as a basic introduction.
• 
  Kristen

  I love Buddhism and there are so many wonderful books that help make it accessible and meaningful for every day life. Like other reviewers, I had trouble even skimming through for it was absent of inspiration for me.
• 
  Luis Olave

  Buena introducción al budismo
  
  El libro es una buena introducción a la práctica del budismo, con una primera parte muy sencilla de comprender para continuar con algo más de complejidad.
• 
  The Great Asπ e

  I don't think I understand Gyatso's writing style, he tends to repeat himself a lot and I don't know if that is because he's really trying to drive the point home or if he had to write a certain amount of pages for his book deal.