Rating: 
Summary: An eye opener
Review: This book is quite the eye opener. I have been recently going through some rough times in my life, and this book brought all of that into perspective. If you are interested in Buddhism as a religion or philosphy, be sure to pick this book up!
Rating: 
Summary: A very good read!
Review: This book is a very good way to introduce your self to the Buddhist princelpes and concepts. Steve Hagen (ordained Buddhsit preist) goes into depth with the 4 Noble Truths which is one of the strongest Buddhist principles. He also describes many Buddhist concepts and elabroates on them. He stays on one basic topic for a while in order to help the reader really absorb the concept. I would not say that this book is an easy read, as you really need to focus on what he is saying, and may even want to read some of the chapters twice or even tree times before moving on. However for the person who is really interested in Buddhism, this book will proove to be of great value!! As I read this book, I gained much insight and moments of enlightenment. This book is definately for the person who is interested in spiritual growth and the study of Buddhism. I recently lent it to a friend, and I am looking forward to getting it back, as I get alot out of re-reading much of the text.
Rating:
Summary: Simple, Not Simplistic
Review: This book, distilled from Steve Hagen's twenty years of teaching the subject, lays out the foundational teachings of the Buddha. When asked why he named it "plain and simple," he said, "The word 'plain' refers to the fact that it is all in plain English, with virtually no jargon. And 'simple' means that you will find only the teachings of the Buddha, and not a lot of other ideas and notions that have made their way into Buddhism since the time of the Buddha. That the Buddha's insights are subtle and profound goes without saying. They've not been watered down here, but only laid out in a simple, clear, and uncluttered manner."
Rating: 
Summary: Explains Buddhism but doesn't make it an obvious lifestyle
Review: As a basic introduction, I liked the book. As little as I know about Buddhism, I think Steve really got the core of its vision. Seeing and trying to open up to reality around you the way it really is, or maybe I should say the way it flows.Somehow, the Buddhist lifestyle seems incomplete though, and I was hoping to learn more about that in his book. If there is no purpose or 'leaning', than what is there? Nothing? Illusions? Just 'be' and let things 'be' the way they are? It is nice to use this life-approach to eliminate negative feelings like fears and anxieties, but isn't this 'progress' the one thing in nature that causes evolution? Made us what we are today? Isn't that what gave us the 5th from Mozart? What if he heard this in his head, but decided to keep it there? Somehow this approach looks valuable but incomplete to me. Take the person running in the park with headphones who misses out on the flying birds, that Steve mentions in his book. Maybe this person was really happy listening to her music, enjoying her run. Concentrating on the time she was trying to make or whatever. I definitely agree we need a better 'connection' with the real reality around us, but somehow I feel that the Buddhist teachings are, again, an extreme viewpoint with its opposite extreme, where we should aim for the middle. Also, as a believer in the divine, the Buddhist 'enlightenment' will always be something incomplete if our creator is not somehow involved. I don't think Buddhism really excludes God, but I don't recall any mentioning in his book about this. Altogether, it still taught me some things and makes me want to learn more about Buddhism.
Rating:
Summary: A good introduction, from a Zen perspective
Review: It's a little deceptive to call the book "Buddhism, Plain and Simple". It might be more appropriately entitled "Zen, Plain and Simple". In terms of Zen, it's a really good introduction, and good for keeping one's self grounded to the principles thereof. Some Zen buddhists would argue that Zen IS Buddhism, no more & no less. However, since the book purports to offer a "plain & simple" treatise on Buddhism, beginner beware! The breadth and depth of the many traditions of Buddhism are not covered here. Interested in Zen? GREAT, bottom-line introduction.
Rating:
Summary: The Unstatable Stated
Review: The essence of Buddhism to author Steve Hagen seems to be the same as what Eckharte Tolle tries to express in his, "The Power of Now." It is about mindfulness of the present moment. This is not an outsider's view of Buddhism. It isn't encyclopedic. Don't expect a, "this is what this type of Buddhist believes, and this is what that type of Buddhist believes" approach. Hagen has his own philosophical view of what Buddhism is (he is a Zen priest) and uses this book to try to open up the doors of Enlightenment for the reader. He disregards all mystical aspects of the religion to present what he believes is the essence of the Buddha's teachings. He presents the philosophy. Although the book delves into some basic Buddhist concepts, such as the story of the Buddha, the eightfold path and meditation, the bulk of the book (indeed the main thrust of the book) is Hagen trying to convey to the reader what enlightenment is, something that Buddhists have struggled with (usually saying that it is impossible to state in words). He does a pretty good job and expands on this with his next book, "Buddhism is Not What You Think." Definitely worth the read. The audiobook is excellent as well.
Rating:
Summary: Buddha-Dharma
Review: This book cuts through a lot of the layering that has fallen on top of the original Dharma. It is written in a Western style for Western readers and presents the Dharma in a manner which makes sense to the Western mind. There is a minimal useage of jargon and a maximization of plain talk. We started out with the complex tome of Sogyal Rinpoche and have come full circle with the utter simplicity and great depth of Steve Hagen. Each author has his own points. I recommend this book highly. In fact, so highly that this is the first time I've been moved to post to Amazon about a book. Praise indeed.
Rating:
Summary: A great book!
Review: One of the best Buddhism books i have ever read! I recommend it for those who wish to learn and understand Buddhism in a plain and simple way.
Rating:
Summary: Helpfull
Review: Finally a book that is readable for the average reader. Contrary to most books on Buddhism, this one is easy to understand and clarifies a lot of questions of life. Even for people not so interested in Buddhism, a good piece of literature. Very educating.
Rating:
Summary: The buddha-dharma
Review: The best little book on Buddhism that is available. Masterfully written. This book needs to be studied, not just read. It is worthwhile to read again and again. If you only read one book on Buddhism, then this is the one to read. The author is an American Zen teacher whose clarity of explanation will appeal to the American Zen student. Steve Hagen prefers to call Buddhism "the buddha-dharma." He states that "It's a process, an awareness, an openness, a spirit of inquiry -- not a belief system, or even (as we normally understand it) a religion. It is more accurate to call it 'the teaching of the awakened,' or the buddha-dharma." We start by learning the four truths: (1) life involves suffering; (2) this suffering arises within us; (3) we can end the most profound and existential forms of suffering; and (4) the way we end this suffering is by following the eightfold path. The existential angst we experience from the unanswered question of what life is about is at the heart of our suffering. The buddha-dharma is like a journey. By following the middle way we can reach enlightenment and nirvana. There are three kinds of suffering, or duhkha: (1) pain, both physical and mental; (2) change; and (3) being. Our goal is to just see. We must awaken from our confusion. We need to see reality for what it is. The eightfold path is a concrete way for us to practice bringing about the cessation of duhkha. The eight aspects of this path are right view, right intention, right speech, right action , right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right meditation. Nothing in this book is offered as something you are to believe. Somehow through his life of contemplation the Buddha was able to formulate these notions. They are simply a guide. The Buddha can only point the way. It is left for each one of us to find the way for ourselves.
| 
