Rating: 
Summary: Young American Buddhists
Review: I'm a young American (20-something) and I am so happy that someone is finally paying attention to my generation of practicing Buddhists! This book is interesting whether you're a young person just discovering Buddhism, or an older person interested in the new spirtiual motivations in youth culture today. The only weakness I can mention about this book is that it does not cover a wide range of Buddhist traditions. I wish, for example, it had included interviews with young Buddhists in the Soka Gakkai tradition which is one of the most youthful schools of Buddhism I know of in the United States these days. In any case, I am just glad someone finally published a book like this one. I also highly recommend a little gift book written by a 20-something American Buddhist named Taro Gold called "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life: A Little Book of Eastern Wisdom." I hope more and more young Buddhist voices will be found in print in the near future.
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome
Review: Nice to read a book of stories by young Buddhists on the path, and be able to relate.
Rating:
Summary: A Book Whose Time Has Come
Review: Since elementary school, I have been raised a serious Buddhist and would often wonder if there were others who shared my life experiences, lifestyle, and worldview. I always wanted to find or else write a book of Buddhism for young people in America. And needless to say, when I stumbled onto Blue Jean Buddha, I was estactic. I was delighted to know there are others out there who share some of my deepest interests and concerns. BJB is definitely a book whose time has come.Polished, succinct, and effective, the collection of essays in BJB are a true testament about what is happening between the younger generations and spirituality in America.
In a way, I was anxious to see if the book, dealing with pop culture and such, was too much hype, too New-Agey, or lofty. But I was far from being disappointed. It is down-to-earth, and accessible, without sacrificing its profundity. THE deep and important reflections the editor asks at THE CONCLUSION IS WORTH THE WHOLE PRICE OF THE BOOK. The stories and essay were great, but what mattered most is the way in which the conclusion synthesized inquiry, and emphasized critical thinking about the current and future status of Buddhism here in the West. Sumi Loundon does not purport to know all the answers. And she leaves readers with a feeling that neither do they! I really appreciated the chance to dwell on the rhetorical questions she asks. They are not philosophical or academic neccessarily, but real and practical, which makes them all the more worthwhile. Anyone interested in American youth, and spirituality at this current time will definitely benefit from reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: Young American Buddhists
Review: Sumi Loundon and company's BLUE JEAN BUDDHA is a rarity in several regards. For one thing, Loundon and her writers manage to lucidly articulate many ideas and feelings about culture, pop culture, age, and Buddhism that have previously proven to be precarious ground for authors to tread (this is particularly true of Loundon's first-class analyses throughout the book). For another, it switches gears gracefully--for any book, not just a dharma book--between being a sociological study (pieces like Kenneth Lee's "Drugs and the Dharma" and Thich Nu Pho-Chau's "Life as a Vietnamese Nun" exemplify this); a unique and very broad dialogue on philosophy, cultural ideologies, psychology, service, and peace (Claudia Heiman's "Winning over Depression," Noah Levine's "A Dharma Punx Path," and Adrienne Stauffer's "Freeing Tibet, Freeing Myself"); and very often literary nonfiction (Seth Castleman's "If a Nice Jewish Boy Sits in a Cave, Does He Make a Difference?" and Lillian Guild's "The Perfect Buddhist Boyfriend"). And lastly, its pieces burst with a very special kind of honesty about spiritual pursuits and the many facets of American life that only the spirit of youth could offer (Hanuman Goleman's "I'm a Mutt"). BLUE JEAN BUDDHA is fresh, insightful, and right-on. All of the bull's-eyes it manages to hit combined with its heart and humor make it an engaging read for anyone and an essential volume for any Buddhist's library.
Rating:
Summary: "Blue Jean Buddha" a rare, articulate work
Review: Sumi Loundon and company's BLUE JEAN BUDDHA is a rarity in several regards. For one thing, Loundon and her writers manage to lucidly articulate many ideas and feelings about culture, pop culture, age, and Buddhism that have previously proven to be precarious ground for authors to tread (this is particularly true of Loundon's first-class analyses throughout the book). For another, it switches gears gracefully--for any book, not just a dharma book--between being a sociological study (pieces like Kenneth Lee's "Drugs and the Dharma" and Thich Nu Pho-Chau's "Life as a Vietnamese Nun" exemplify this); a unique and very broad dialogue on philosophy, cultural ideologies, psychology, service, and peace (Claudia Heiman's "Winning over Depression," Noah Levine's "A Dharma Punx Path," and Adrienne Stauffer's "Freeing Tibet, Freeing Myself"); and very often literary nonfiction (Seth Castleman's "If a Nice Jewish Boy Sits in a Cave, Does He Make a Difference?" and Lillian Guild's "The Perfect Buddhist Boyfriend"). And lastly, its pieces burst with a very special kind of honesty about spiritual pursuits and the many facets of American life that only the spirit of youth could offer (Hanuman Goleman's "I'm a Mutt"). BLUE JEAN BUDDHA is fresh, insightful, and right-on. All of the bull's-eyes it manages to hit combined with its heart and humor make it an engaging read for anyone and an essential volume for any Buddhist's library.
Rating:
Summary: Honesty From Spiritual Peers
Review: This book is a good read for people overwhelmed by religious texts written by spiritual teachers. It is always nice to read what peers and contemporaries have to say on a subject like religion. This is not a book to pick up and read if you want to learn the fundamentals of Buddhist philosophy, but it is a wonderfully reassuring book for those looking for a sort of real time guide to how Buddhism fits into everyday life. The contributors to this book were beautifully honest and allowed the readers into very intimate parts of their lives. That honesty is what keeps the reader involved in the book and steers these essays away from a Chicken Soup For the Soul sort of feel.
Rating:
Summary: Honesty From Spiritual Peers
Review: This book is a good read for people overwhelmed by religious texts written by spiritual teachers. It is always nice to read what peers and contemporaries have to say on a subject like religion. This is not a book to pick up and read if you want to learn the fundamentals of Buddhist philosophy, but it is a wonderfully reassuring book for those looking for a sort of real time guide to how Buddhism fits into everyday life. The contributors to this book were beautifully honest and allowed the readers into very intimate parts of their lives. That honesty is what keeps the reader involved in the book and steers these essays away from a Chicken Soup For the Soul sort of feel.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: This book is the rarest of spiritual books: one of honesty, and problematic outcome. Even the self-absorbed essays, being almost ingenous in their expression, lend to the honesty of belief and expression. You know, even the best of spiritual books have to me that breezy tone of "you too can have the perfect life in only five minutes a day..." And, if the author recounts some of their past troubles, somehow they seem to have been effortlessly overcome with no residual effects. This book is different. It is a collection of essays by young Buddhists, primarily in their late 20's and early 30's. Many of the essays are excellent. "The Perfect Buddhist Boyfriend" depicts the disintegration of a relationship in which both partners have adopted all the accountremonts of being with-it young Buddhists. Similarly, there's the rude awakening of a young American Buddhist at a Tibetan retreat who, after several days, realizes that the wonderful authentic soup he his being served may be authentic, but it's Ramen that he could purchase at any supermarket. And why were they all isolated here meditating hours on end amongst themselves instead of going out and helping people. (The essay's conclusion is less satisfactory to me.) My favorite essays are by those who have grown up in Buddhistm. "Growing Up with the Dharma Bums" is a riot, as the author in 1970's Rochester has to explain to his friend's mom why he cannot eat meat, straightforwardly, but reluctantly, informimg her that his parents are Buddhists and believe that killing animals is wrong. And at school he and his best friend are quick to remonstrate when they spy other kids burning up ants under the magnifying glass! I myself gave copies of this book to each of my teenage sons. I showed them the introduction which begings with the following quotes: "I did a lot of drugs before I was I Buddhist"
"Well, I did a lot of drugs because I was a Buddhist"
"Was asking my girlfriend to get an abortion un-Buddhist?" What self-respecting teen wouldn't be hooked on these, at least to open the book. One of mine actually read some of the essays. You've got to sow the seeds and hope that some may take, if not now later. And why did I want them to read the much less exciting essays? Because the honesty of the voice, the struggles, the insecurities, the humility, the uncertainty admidst the seeking and moments of joy and revelation constitute (for me)descriptions of those on a real spiritual path, which I would being doing well to emulate in my own life.
Rating:
Summary: Monkey Mind meets Main Street
Review: What does Buddhism really mean to young people in a century when the Dalai Lama's image is used to sell computers & "Nirvana" is a rock band? In his Foreword, Jack Kornfield poses the question: "What if Buddha were born in North America, in our times?" Sumi Loundon, born into the North American Buddhist culture & coming into her third decade of life, is also asking: "What is being a Buddhist in today's Western world?" As she finds her answers, she also finds she is not alone & so evolved this collection of enchanting, first-person essays from young Buddhists all over this globe. Like pebbles on a beach, each story is fascinating as the writers tell of their strife & boredom, yearning & bliss, hectic lives & momentary glimpses of spiritual stillness. For a look at the world through another window where our senses & our monkey minds are engaged as never before, pick up a copy of BLUE JEAN BUDDHA & if you don't get it on the first read - keep it! Then take it down during a particularly hyper-active period in your life & see how others have walked through their chaos into the Buddhic balance & life-affirming consciousness. Well worth the read! Gave me much about which to think & write!
Rating:
Summary: Monkey Mind meets Main Street
Review: What does Buddhism really mean to young people in a century when the Dalai Lama's image is used to sell computers & "Nirvana" is a rock band? In his Foreword, Jack Kornfield poses the question: "What if Buddha were born in North America, in our times?" Sumi Loundon, born into the North American Buddhist culture & coming into her third decade of life, is also asking: "What is being a Buddhist in today's Western world?" As she finds her answers, she also finds she is not alone & so evolved this collection of enchanting, first-person essays from young Buddhists all over this globe. Like pebbles on a beach, each story is fascinating as the writers tell of their strife & boredom, yearning & bliss, hectic lives & momentary glimpses of spiritual stillness. For a look at the world through another window where our senses & our monkey minds are engaged as never before, pick up a copy of BLUE JEAN BUDDHA & if you don't get it on the first read - keep it! Then take it down during a particularly hyper-active period in your life & see how others have walked through their chaos into the Buddhic balance & life-affirming consciousness. Well worth the read! Gave me much about which to think & write!
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