Buddhism Plain and Simple

Will Buddhism solve the problems of everyday life? No. As the Buddha says, if you've got 83 problems, he can only help with your 84th problem, which is that "You want not to have any problems".

Steve Hagen, a Zen priest from Minnesota, shows a plain and simple route to the heart of the Buddhist way. He offers engaging parables, some drawn from his own experience and some from Buddhist tradition. And he guides the reader through the more difficult concepts without need of baffling Zen riddles. He makes enlightening yourself sound so easy.

By applying the Buddha's four truths and eightfold path to life today, the book aims to let the reader see the world in a new way.

When the Buddha was asked to sum up his teaching in a single word, he said, "awareness". This is a book about awareness. Not awareness of something in particular, but awareness itself--being awake, alert, in touch with what is actually happening.

The few special terms, such as samma and duhkha, are all explained thoroughly the first time they are used. Those unfamiliar with the ideas should make sure they read the book in sequence. But with a book this approachable and conversational, that isn't hard to do.

As with the best devotional books, readers will get as much from it as they are willing to put in. Can you accept the challenge to reconsider your life and outlook on the world? --Frank Pennycook

View other editions of Buddhism Plain and Simple.
View books by Steve Hagen.

Should say "introduction to zen buddhism" - Rated
This was the first book I ever read on buddhism. Since then I have never stopped practising and reading around, and it's been three years. This book ignited a strong interest but it in no way helped me be lessed stressed. I tried to put what the book said into practise - but all it suggested was to "see". I saw myself being miserable, didn't help.
I feel really lucky that I discovered "mindfulness in plain englsish - bhante gunaratana" which gave instructions on how to practise meditation. After that buddhism really helped me. Meditation in Hagen's book is mentioned almost as a side point, something not particularly important.
After reading around for three years it's also clear that this book offers an intro to "zen buddhism", not to "buddhism". The eightfold path for example is given the most basic of elaborations, which all fit in with his idea of "just seeing". The elaborations of the eightfold path in the original suttas in the pali canon are extensive and say an awful lot more than "just see". I could go on.
Overall if you want some nice philosophy this book is great.
If you want real advice on "self help" from a buddhist standpoint get something else which actually has practical instructions and advice.
If you want an introduction to buddhism, go somewhere else. If you read the suttas most reliably attributed to the buddha you'll be amazed how different they are to Hagen's assertions.
If you want to read something on Buddhism by someone who has practised Buddhism intensely for almost his whole life, read "path to arahantship" by Ajahn maha boowa.

Not a religion - Rated
I have read this book twice, it explains Buddhism as a way of thinking and understanding life, not a religion as I thought. If you want to learn about Buddhism, rather than being told about rituals and how to practice a belief you must read a copy. It informs you rather than convert you.

A positive step towards awakening - Rated
The best compliment I can give this book is that if someone is interested in learning what Buddhism "is", this is the book that I give them.

You might get the impression from one or two of the other reviews on this page that this is "Buddhism Lite" i.e. that it lacks the comprehensiveness and history of some other books. I don't really think that's the case personally. If the essense and purpose of Buddhism is to become awake, then to me this is the most emphatically "Buddhist" of books. Certainly I would start here, as you can always progress onto more detailed books about the Buddha's life in due course.

Indeed I wouldn't say that this book is only for the novice either, as it would also serve as a useful reminder and meditation to someone more versed in Buddhism. One review below states that it's message is rather repetitive, but I imagine that this is on purpose, and it didn't deter me at all. Without constantly reminding yourself of the message contained within (through various means), the ego tends to re-impose itself, so repetition is necessary.

If you're interested in this subject, I whole-heartedly recommend this book.

Easy Peasy!! Get this one FIRST. - Rated
This HAS to be one of the BEST {["Introductions"]} to Buddhism I've ever come across. Plain (yes it is!!) simple - yes, & easy to understand & digest. Short, concise & to the point. In fact it's ALL of the positive comments made here above already. Refreshing & intelligently written. More importantly it's very "enlightening" (pun intended).

A perfect starter book if you want to get an inkling for what "all the rage" is about, especially if you're a student of any kind and short on study time.

Even if you're not a Buddhist, or not even thinking about becoming one, it's good to have some understanding of this "up and coming" religion so that you may have a better and more informed understanding of the people from the lands that practice it and where you may go one day on holiday too!

Introduction to the spirit of Buddhism without history or 'religion' - Rated
A good introduction to Buddhism. Rather than going into any historical matters or attempting to describe the Buddhist universe, it instead strives to express the fundamental spirit behind it all. Consequently it is extremely accessible, and achieves its purpose. In admirably lucid prose the book iterates, and reiterates, the very fundamental issue of seeing the world as it is. Ultimately this singleness of purpose and continued repetition of the same point can get monotonous. I was reminded of Men are From Mars and Women are from Venus: the book says some really useful and insightful things, but then throws these same things out, dressed up in different ways, again and again. It's done better here than in that book, though, with far more intelligence and with a less patronising tone.