Rating: 
Summary: Complicated and Disappointing
Review: I purchased this book in order to gain some basic knowledge about Buddhism as a religion - its origins and goals. Unfortunately, I learned none of that. This book is frankly boring. It's repetitive, indirect and unenlightening. Don't waste your time with it. Not worth the effort.
Rating:
Summary: Misleading Presentation
Review: I have advised people against reading this book as an introduction to Buddhism. Although it is written in simple and clear language, the author neglects to define certain key concepts of Buddhism in terms the western mind can comprehend, leaving it open to misunderstanding.
Rating: 
Summary: The best book to get started in Buddhism
Review: "~I am a newcomer to Buddhism, but when I get a hankering to learn about any subject, I read about it voraciously. This has been almost counter-productive in studying Buddhism since, as Hagen stresses, no words can really describe the reality we seek. In fact, I have read several books about Buddhism, Zen, and the like; but I own just two: Buddhism Plain and Simple, and Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh. By far, Hagen's book is my favorite. the wrong reasons -- to control my emotions, to sort out moral dilemmas, and to find peace of mind. Through Buddhism, I've made great progress in all those areas by simply eliminating them as goals and just experiencing life moment by moment. This may sound odd if you haven't practiced Buddhism, but you will quickly appreciate this lesson after reading Hagen's book. You will discover that the practice of Buddhism does not involve traveling to the Himalayas or meditating in the forest. You will learn that you don't have to abandon your religion or your friends or your job. The word Buddhism stems from the Sanskrit word for Buddha, the awakened one. Buddhism is simply the path of awakening. This book is a wonderful guide on that path. You will not be the same after reading it.
Rating:
Summary: Life Transforming Wake Up Call
Review: This is a wonderful book in my opinion. And I mean that quite literally. It has helped me to open my eyes to the present moment and seize the day. I am not Buddhist, and have no intention of joining. As Steve Hagen rightly points out in his book, there is no need to become 'anything' - just realize who you already are. For me, it will be a book that I will continue to read over the years as long as I am still able to do so.
Rating:
Summary: This is the book that convinced me buddhism is nonsense
Review: Having wasted 7 years of my life as a buddhist, this is the book that convinced me that it is nothing more than mystical gibberish and double talk. Sorry steven, but contradictions really exist, there really is good and evil. Nagarjuna isn't a very smart or coherent philosopher. I can't recommed either the book or the life style.
Rating:
Summary: Not very good
Review: Steve has written a very obfuscated and hard to understand book about buddhism. His writting style is painful and glib and I can't recommed this book as a intro to buddhism. Try "Mindfulness in plain english" or "Buddhism without beliefs" instead. Sorry.
Rating:
Summary: The first accurate understanding by an western person
Review: There are already many English books about Buddhism way of thinking written by Japanese and western authors. But many of them describe only the history and facts of Buddhism and repeat old Asian style puzzling logic that is not valid for the modern mind. This is the first English book I have read that describes the genuine meaning of Buddhism in simple words. Simplicity is not elementary. It is true understanding. The only regret is that this book still insists much on liberation from anguish and less on the creative and positive side of Buddhism.
Rating:
Summary: Truly Simple
Review: If something is not simple, then the author probably does not know the subject well. Steven truly knows for most part. If you ever listen to Buddha, then you've completely missed the point. But,if you still insist on listening to Buddha, then this is next best thing to a buddha nature awareness. Read the book well & discard it completely from your mind!
Rating:
Summary: Simple book with some info on Buddhism
Review: After reading and being introduced to Buddhism, Zen and Taoism through Martial arts, reading Steve Hagen's book gave me a decent start to some aspects of Buddhism teaching. His way of simplicity of explanation makes the book an decent start for those who are interested in Buddhism.
Rating:
Summary: A truly remarkable book.
Review: In Buddhism: Plain and Simple, Steve Hagen has managed to capture the complexity of Buddhist practice without pushing the reader away with jargon, dogma, or judgment. He writes with beautiful simplicity and great empathy about the challenges of living fully when our mind does not necessarily want to cooperate! I have read this book several times and learn something each time. I would say that this book and The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying form a wonderful introduction to Buddhist practice and philosophy.
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