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Summary: Stewing About Zen
Review: As a perpetual plodder on the spiritual path, I'm always buying some book or another that promises to simplify religion -- maybe so that I can feel empowered by newfound knowledge or, at the very least, emboldened by my own intellectual standing relative to the author.The author of *this* particular volume is one Dinty W. Moore, a beefy, would-be Buddhist and creative writing professor whose singular mission is to catalog the evolving essence of American Buddhism. Rife with anecdotes from his experiences at retreats of all stripes, an Indiana appearance by Tibet's beatific Dalai Lama, and several face-to-face encounters with "real American Buddhists," Moore manages to create for the reader an entertaining, enlightening (small "e") vantage point from which to witness his slow shuffle towards Shakyamuni (the Buddha). The result is a book that is light enough for an airplane, but deep enough for the bathtub. Recommended.
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Summary: encouragement for the monkey minded
Review: As one whose "monkey mind" has made meditation challenging, I was encouraged, as well as entertained by Dinty Moore's book. We have a tendency in our country to take things that are basically pretty simple and try to make them complex and confusing. The core concepts of Buddhism are relevant and applicable in any culture, and Mr Moore's book does a fine job of pointing out that we just need to keep it simple. For someone curious about Buddhism has to offer, this is a great place to start.
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Summary: quick, entertaining, informative
Review: in this book, the author surveys the state of buddhist experience in a variety of settings across the US. he shares his experiences and perspective in a variety of buddhist meetings. i found this book validated the view that buddhism is a tree with many branches, with many leaves that represent possible paths of study and experience...a great timesaver because he does a lot of legwork for you! Most of what he finds I'd call postive so this book is nothing if not encouraging to one exploring the path.
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Summary: A Humorous, Lighthearted Look at Buddhism in America.
Review: "The Accidental Buddhist" describes one man's search for American Buddhism. We follow him to the Zen Mountain Monastery in Mt. Tremper, NY, to a Tibetan non-residental retreat in Georgia, to a mini-Woodstock gathering for meditators in New York City and to a Theravadan retreat center in West Virgina. Moore talks to a Jesuit priest who is also a Zen master, a couple attempting to pursue the Buddha's ideal of Right Livelihood and we laugh and learn all the way as Moore comes to terms with the teachings of the dharma in his own life. Not deep on the philosophy of the dharma but this is an entertaining and humorous book for the newcomer. A welcome change from all those dharma books that take themselves oh, so seriously. This book would make the Buddha smile.
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Summary: Good book for the curious
Review: Moore provides a witty view into American Buddism. Even though this is not an instructional guide it does help answer some basic questions as to what Buddism is about. It is an execellent and easy to read book for the begginer or someone just curious about the Buddist practice.
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Summary: ...entertaining entry to American spin on Zen
Review: Noble and interesting attempt to bring the search and discovery of the many westernized versions of Zen in a coast-to-coast america. More importantly, an example of the writer seeking through prose to reach his inner, unspoken mantra. Only needed to hear the grounding of his feet in the Zen's focus of experience as existence. Well worth the price, time, and effort by any reader.
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Summary: Easy to read book on Buddhism - excellent for "beginners"!
Review: I found "The Accidental Buddhist" to be a light hearted, honest look at the various practices of Buddhism in the West. For anyone seeking knowledge about this often intimidating and seemingly exotic practice, "The Accidental Buddhist" is an accessible, layman's look at the three major Buddhist sects practiced in America. Don't expect it to delve deep into any of them - this book will give you an overview at best - but as a newcomer, this is a good place to start. It is witty, and easy to read. I suggest the audio version of this title most of all.
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Summary: An amusing description of American Buddhism in the late '90s
Review: For seasoned spiritual seekers and curious novices alike, Dinty Moore takes the reader on a lighthearted journey to discover what the surgence of the Buddhist religion in America is all about. Anyone reading the author's witty and humorous account of wading in the waters of Eastern thought will soon begin to realize that Buddhism is not a mystical, bugaboo religion, but a viable path that doesn't challenge Judeo-Christian principles. The teachings of Buddha precede Jesus by 500 years and in many ways parallel each other, and the three types of Buddhism Moore describes in his encounters -- Zen, Tibetan, and Theraveda -- can peacefully co-exist with each other and any other religion in our complex society. I'd highly recommend this book to the aging American boomers who are tired of the material stuff of life and want to inject more peace and tranquility into their daily lives. Moore writes about the challenges of quieting his "monkey mind" through meditation. I got a kick out of how he "enlightened" my "monkey mind." I bet Oprah would, too.
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Summary: Good book marred by shaky set-up
Review: I liked Dinty Moore's examination of Buddhism in America. I thought his explanations of esoteric Buddhist concepts were clear and straightforward, his observations rich with the detail of day-to-day life. The small tome is a superficial--at best--look at this ancient religion, but an honest one. Too bad Moore clings to what he calls his "Project Mind"--the premise that he's on an anthroplogical mission (to find out what American Buddhism is and why it appeals to us) rather than a spiritual one. Clearly, Moore is seeking more than "data" on his journey; his chats with spiritual leaders are about much more than "good quote." I for one would have related far better to Moore's journalistic journey had he dispensed with the pretense and gotten down to the sticky, messy, uncomfortable business of enlightenment.
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Summary: Dinty's book is an excellent introduction for a "newcomer."
Review: Dinty Moore paints a landscape of Buddhist practice in the US. Although far from complete in terms of the range of practice, it should give any reader a glimpse of practice as it exists in the US. An enjoyable read that includes Dinty's own brand of humor. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Buddhism and would suggest reading it before reading other books about Buddhist theology. Light and easy to read, it can easily accommodate a "monkey mind."
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