Freeing the Buddha: Diversity on a Sacred Path-Large Scale Concerns

By Brian Ruhe

Book Overview

Ruhe, a Theravadin Buddhist teacher at Douglas College and a teacher at the largest Buddhist temple in Canada, offers a serious overview of major aspects of Buddhism, plus a collection of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 8120818350
• ISBN13: 9788120818354
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.8" x 2.0" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Free the Buddha from "formal religious education"

I think people like Jim Taylor who are steeped in "formal religious education" will have trouble understanding what the Buddha was trying to teach in the first place. The Buddha tried to get beyond the formal religious traditions and access the root of problems and their solutions, directly. I think Jim has missed all this and attacks many of the leaves of the tree without understanding where they came from. The whole point is to "oobaykah" (Thai) or let go of what you try to hang on to and be free to discover reality. Free the Buddha from a formal religion, please! I don't agree with every outward opinion of this book either. But the point of every good Buddhist teacher was to use anything at his/her disoposal to help the student see for themselves. If you can get beyond your own formal hang-ups maybe your eyes will open. Maybe the title of the book will help :)

Recommended for students of Buddhist philosophy & belief.

This course on major aspects of Buddhism adds controversial essays which challenge conventional teachings on Buddhism, providing not only an overview of Buddhist belief systems and teachings, but their applications throughout history. The author, a Buddhist teacher and prior monk, provides a very different perspective on Buddhist beliefs and their applications, adding a welcome dose of humor along with many insights.