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| Buddhism Without Beliefs: A Contemporary Guide to Awakening | 
 enlarge | Author: Stephen Batchelor
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Category: Book
List Price: £7.99
Buy New: £3.05
You Save: £4.94 (62%)
New (20) from £3.05
Avg. Customer Rating:  19 reviews
Sales Rank: 10192
Media: Paperback
Edition: New Ed
Pages: 144
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 8 x 4.6 x 0.6
ISBN: 0747538433
Dewey Decimal Number: 294
EAN: 9780747538431
ASIN: 0747538433
Publication Date: June 4, 1998
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand New. Shipped from UK Mainland. Delivery is usually 2 - 3 working days from order by Royal Mail, International Delivery is by Airmail.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 14 more reviews...
 Great as a second beginners-guide book July 24, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Buddhism Without Beliefs: A Contemporary Guide to Awakening Stephen
Am getting alot out of this great book. Following the amazing Buddhism Plain and Simple (Arkana) by Steve Hagen this works as a great companion book, easy to dip into at any point, for a little nugget of clarity. Recommended, though if you want a first intro to 'the middle way' go for Plain and Simple, first.
 buddhism without beliefs July 4, 2007
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
I loved this book - it describes meditation, awareness and all aspects of Buddhism in such a staightforward, easy to understand way and yet at the same time is not academic or dry. it is poetic and inspiring.
i think this book could be read even if you know nothing about Buddhism and you would find it interesting but as someone already said i think it has more value if you do know something about Buddhism already. i don't think you need to know much though - just having read a few other books would be enough to get a lot out of this book.
it presents the ideas and processes of Buddhism in a way that i've not read before and it was fantastic for me as Stephen Batchelor actually explains all the things that other books seem to skim over in a confusing way. a whole chapter is devoted to the idea of 'emptiness' and i found it very useful.
as the title suggests this is Buddhism without beliefs so if you've found yourself stuggling with ideas such as reincarnation then this is definitely the book for you.
Quo Vadis April 15, 2007
9 out of 20 found this review helpful
Quite a lot of the amazon.com reviewers have eschewed this a a good introduction to Buddhism. I would say not.
It is however a great tool for Buddhists to look at, improve and alter their practice. A Dharma scalpel if you will.
Stephen Bachelor is steeped in both the Vajryana & Zen traditions. Though it is from the latter that, I believe, he draws the true inspiration for this book. At any rate he is a long way from being a beginner himself and, I conjecture, wouldn't approach Buddhism in that light.
Simply, he argues that there are strands of Buddhism that have calcified into religions, and this is very far from the teachings of Sakyamuni, the historical Buddha. Buddhism requires only two leaps of faith, belief in kharma and reincarnation.
What, Stephen Bachelor agues, if these didn't exist?
The Japanese Rinzai, Zen Order, has a practice of studying koans, riddles designed to trigger sarturi (instant enlightenment). "What is the sound of one hand clapping, etc ect."
I consider this book to be a koan as it gave me a gestalt moment that altered my practice profoundly. Stephen has a stark, realistic and ultimately honest approach to this great religion or should I say existential philosophy. He is a 21st Century Rishi.
The title says it all. February 24, 2007
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
This is a good place to start if you're interested in Buddhism. Like the title suggests, it can be read by those with no prior knowledge of Buddhism and those who follow other faiths, but wish to learn more. Not only that, it provides a source of real wisdom for those who wish to lead a better life, but without saying they are Buddhist (or even any faith at all). Not the deepest book, but a perfect introduction for that reason.
Action speaks louder than words November 13, 2006
16 out of 17 found this review helpful
This is an excellent book and introduction to Buddha, his teachings and dharma practise. It neatly prompts the reader to refocus attention on what is truly important - doing and finding what works for you, rather than a blind belief, and dogma.
Having read much on Buddhism, I have a feeling that this book will always stay towards the top of my pile!
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