Rating: 
Summary: Enlightening
Review: Surya Das has produced an excellent insight into the basics of Buddhism. I found it both interesting and very well written. I would recommend it as a source for anyone who is getting to know what Buddhism is about.
Rating:
Summary: "America the Buddhaful!", as seen by "The Deli Lama"
Review: This a fun-to-read introduction to the Buddhist path. Whether you are simply curious about Buddhism or are looking for some spiritual nourishment, this book informs and enlightens.Lama Surya Das skillfully explains how ancient Buddhist wisdom can help us find peace and meaning in our fast-paced American lives. He conveys the beauty and richness of Tibetan Buddhism without making it so exotic or esoteric that is becomes inapplicable to our Western lives. He also has a warm sense of humor. ("America the Buddhaful" is the title of an essay by Lama Das.). Das weaves the fundamentals of Buddhism with the story of his own spiritual journey. Find out how a nice Jewish boy from New York (his mom calls him "The Deli Lama") transforms himself into one of the leading teachers of Tibetan Buddhism in the West. For Das, an ex-high school jock, it's a long way from the locker room to the windswept monasteries of the Himalayas!
Rating:
Summary: Best Introduction to Vajrayana I've Seen
Review: This is an incredibly good (the best I've come across) introduction to Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or Mantrayana). The author has also written the fine sequel "Awakening the Buddhist Heart" as well as "Awakening to the Sacred" (which I didn't like as much as the others. He's also written a book of Buddhist stories or myths entitled, "The Snow Lion's Turquoise Lament" which I didn't find all that impressive. But the book at hand is, IMHO, his best. No wonder it's a best seller Buddhist book. Since the author is a Westerner, he can describe Tibetan Buddhism (and Buddhism in general) in a simple, direct manner without using lots of Tibetan/asian mythology, assumptions, etc. It's relatively easy to pick out such things in other people's religions but not so easy to do your own. Kind of like withdrawing your projections (per both Jung and Mahamudra). Surya Das writes in an easy-to-read, engaging style that's almost sure to please the reader. And, most impressive, he doesn't claim to have all the answers. Thus, my favorite quote from this book:
p. 12 "The French writer Andre Gide once wrote, `believe those who are seeking truth. Doubt those who find it.'"
This was in addition to the Hasidic story of the Baal Shem Tov about his evaluation of a potential son-in-law. He liked that the son-in-law admitted not knowing the answers to the questions. An open mind can learn. A closed mind cannot.
So, keep an open mind about this book. It's great. You can follow it up by reading more Surya Das or by reading some of Pema Chodron's works. She also includes practical activities and meditations to help one along the path of life, whether Buddhist or not.
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