Buddhism for Beginners

January 1, 2001
Chodron's plain English makes his beginner's guide nearly perfect for those new to Buddhism and those who simply want to learn more about one of the world's oldest, most misunderstood religions. In question-and-answer format, Chodron defines Buddhism's essence, which, in a nutshell, is to avoid harming others and help them as much as possible. He describes the goal of the Buddhist path and discusses the historical Buddha and his various manifestations. He answers some most-asked outsiders' questions concerning such matters as the best methods of meditation and how to define " karma," and he clarifies Buddhist perspectives on modern issues, from euthanasia and abortion to the environment and animal rights. Clearly, succinctly, and without talking down to readers, Chodron strives throughout to bring people together and help them understand the tradition. To outsiders, Buddhism can seem cold and mysterious, but Chodron unravels some of its mysteries and helps dispel that perceived coldness.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)