Why Buddhism?: Westerners in Search of Wisdom
by
Vicki Mackenzie
3.98 · Rating details · 65 ratings · 5 reviews
This title investigates why Westerners are turning to Buddhism in record numbers, featuring the stories of famous Buddhists such as composer Philip Glass and Professor Bob Thurman. The author, who has been a Buddhist for 25 years, explores the question in the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia withpeople who have turned to Buddhism, taking its philosophy and spirit into their lives and work. Among the stories are those of Buddhist luminaries Sharon Salzberg and Stephen Batchelor, and ordinary people: a mother, a counsellor and a businessman. (less)
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Paperback, 308 pages
Published April 1st 2003 by Element Books (first published April 1st 2001)
Dec 21, 2013Johannes Bertus rated it really liked it
Some very inspiring stories. The author's views come through somewhat in the interviews, but she is sincere enough that it didn't bother me too much.
If I had to raise criticism, I would say is somewhat prone to equate Buddhism with Tibetanism, treating the many (legitimate) alternatives as oddities or even aberations. For instance she seems genuinely dumbfounded by Stephen Batchelor's skepticism of rebirth, while I would argue Batchelor merely takes the Buddha's teachings of non-self to their logical conclusion.
But when all is said and done, this is an inspiring overview of some dedicated Western Tibetan Buddhists. (less)
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Aug 09, 2013Dean rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: buddhism
Some interesting interviews with a wide range of Western background Buddhists over different traditions. Some well known, others not. Gives quite a good overview of the ways that Western people have taken on Buddhism and adapted some of the practices. It is good that the author also included both sides of views on issues such as karma, rebirth etc.
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Jun 15, 2019Duncan Reed rated it it was amazing
Shelves: 2019, spirituality
A really interesting and quite diverse group of Western Buddhist practitioners (many well known, some not so) explain why they find Buddhist practices personally beneficial. Mainly focuses on Mahayana, but does include Theravada too. The book is well written, based on interviews with the subjects which have been presented very clearly, and easy to read.
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Nov 24, 2020Phil Calandra rated it it was ok
"Why Buddhism? Westerners in search of wisdom" is a series of interviews of some well known and less well known people which explores the growing interest of Buddhism in Western society. The reader is afforded a unique view and understanding of Buddhism through the experiences of several people who were initially attracted and eventually became immersed in their practice (less)
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Apr 26, 2017Belle rated it it was amazing
This was so inspiring. I started meditating more in hope of experiencing even something in the slight that others in this book. It opens your eyes to another life. Another way of existing in this world that carries you through everything imaginable and not so imaginable.
I really enjoyed getting the different perspectives from all the people interviewed because they each said something valuable and unique and equally important for the understanding and progress of someone hoping to embark on the same path. I felt excited to meditate reading it. The concepts were well explained with many stories and anecdotes along the way to help cement your understanding and to some extent the profundity these people have experienced. As a practical person I very much identified with Buddhism. There were some things I didn't agree with quite as much but that's the beauty of it - it's not an all or nothing "religion" which denotes true authenticity for the benefit of every individual whom partakes. I can't wait to continue my journey of discovering the Buddhist philosophy. (less)
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Top reviews from the United States
Marcia White
4.0 out of 5 stars Four StarsReviewed in the United States on August 12, 2015
Verified Purchase
Lost interest.
Phil Calandra
3.0 out of 5 stars Unique Compilation of the Experiences of Several Buddhist PractitionersReviewed in the United States on November 24, 2020
"Why Buddhism? Westerners in search of wisdom" is a series of interviews of some well known and less well known people which explores the growing interest of Buddhism in Western society. The reader is afforded a unique view and understanding of Buddhism through the experiences of several people who were initially attracted and eventually became immersed in their practice
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Joyce
4.0 out of 5 stars Reveals the gifts of Buddhism as experienced by practitionersReviewed in the United States on September 19, 2013
English-born Australian Vicki Mackenzie is a journalist who attended her first meditation course in Nepal. This event began a personal as well as a professional connection to Buddhism. In this book she explores the phenomenal rise of Buddhism in the West through in-depth interviews with Westerners who have practiced it. Mackenzie allows those she interviews to tell their own stories without interference.
Some of the people are fairly well-known, at least in Buddhist circles: Columbia University professor (and father of actress Uma), Robert Thurman; one of the first and best-known teachers of Vipassana meditation in the U.S., Sharon Salzberg; teacher and author of Buddhism Without Beliefs, Stephen Batchelor; composer Philip Glass; Zen priest and one of Suzuki Roshi's long time students, Yvonne Rand. Others are less known but no less interesting, i.e., an Australian Buddhist nun who teaches meditation to men in California prisons; a diamond merchant who applies Buddhist practices to his business; a mother and daughter making a joyful death for the terminally ill mother.
One woman found in Buddhism the methods that enabled her to follow Jesus' path. She said, "The Tibetan teachers I was meeting were the closest people I had found to a living Jesus." Many of those interviewed were deeply affected by the presence of a teacher: "As soon as I saw him I knew that he was my teacher in a very fundamental sense." Another said, "You know when a teacher has realizations because they teach from their own experience rather than mere book learning, and because their actions do not differ from their words." Philip Glass reflected that the Tibetan lamas he knew certainly had wisdom, kindness, and strength, but he had seen those in people from other religious traditions. What impressed him further was the flexibility of mind and inner strength that, for example, enabled a lama to be in jail for twenty years without any sign of bitterness or resentment. He noted that the lamas take complete responsibility for their own happiness. Impressive accomplishment for anyone in any religion.
2 people found this helpful
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Kevin Killian
HALL OF FAME
4.0 out of 5 stars The Talented TenthReviewed in the United States on March 23, 2005
It's a little discouraging that the author of this book found no time to interview what you might call "ordinary" people. The famous and the hip are high up on the list of Vicki MacKenzie's priorities, and perhaps the talented and the rich make better interviews, but reading so many of them in one clump would make a novice feel that if you're not in the "in crowd" than the Buddha doesn't want you in his religion. Which is not the case, not really.
Many Buddhists in the USA will tell you that they have drifted into Buddhism naturally, finding in it a place to forget about the cares and the oppressions of the Western way of life. They are emphatically not drawn to it because of its reputation as a nearly 100 per cent white practice. Indeed the few people of color who take to Buddhism are often treated like heroes of sanctity in the Buddhist circles of America. In meditation, we can all be color-blind.
6 people found this helpful
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Sarakani
5.0 out of 5 stars Not another bandwagon!Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2002
Uma Thurman's dad, Philip Glass, Sharon Salzberg represent the nexus of a coterie of eccentric, intelligent, thoughtful and highly sensitive beings that Mackenzie has chosen to portray through a series of colourful interviews as to Why Buddhism?, what's in it?, and something of how it goes. It is of course also a good look in to the minds of a few of these extremely interesting individuals and what makes them tick.
The book smiles, is optimistic and the lessons in it bring hope and happiness. Not because Buddhism is spreading - globally it isn't and the slower it grows the better according to one teacher. But because some people have aspired to the highest goodness they can muster based on their own efforts, common sense and intelligence. These people are either very happy, very succesful, very content or have come to terms with their problems. We enjoin in their lives and empathise with their progress and perils.
This book is like a flower one picks up during the exhaustive walk of life.
9 people found this helpful
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Maya
5.0 out of 5 stars A book must read....Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2006
If you are sincerely want to step into the path of Buddha. I will recommend you, "Read it first."
If you've already practiced for years, but still have lots of struggles and confusions, I will recommend you, "Read it now."
If you think you are a great Buddhist, but actually lack of mercy to others, I will recommend you, "Read it ASAP."
3 people found this helpful
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Bill Butler
5.0 out of 5 stars I Think You Should Have This BookReviewed in the United States on August 17, 2002
This is a compilation of interviews with Buddhists all around the globe. But it is not written in a question and answer format. The author tells about the particular Buddhist and
then lets him or her tell their story. These are well-known Buddhists. And Buddhists who have succeeded. I know that you may know a real lot about Buddhism. And perhaps you have practiced for many years. But these interviews are good. And
I think that you will like them. Because they provide inspiration. In the old days, people could have inspiration all the time because their teachers were near. Now they travel for long periods. These stories will inspire you. Inspire you to continue. Inspire you to put your all into your practice. I really think that you should have this. Thank you.
5 people found this helpful
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ffp
5.0 out of 5 stars It's touched my heart.Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2004
A book which gives you an idea and understanding about dharma.
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felicitas
3.0 out of 5 stars Too Tibetan!Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 29, 2010
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I think that for me the biggest drawback to this book is the sectarianism of its subjects. Of the 16 people featured in this book by Vicki Mackenzie (herself a Tibetan Buddhist) all but 4 are Tibetan Buddhists, two of them being Theravaden and of the remaining two, Stephen Batchelor was once a Tibetan Buddhist monk and Yvonne Rand is married to a Tibetan Buddhist and say she practices that alongside the Zen for which she is better known. I do think the author could have made more effort to also talk to Westerners who had found themselves drawn to other forms of Buddhism, notably (because it arguably has the largest number of adherents in the West) Zen Buddhism, and explain that there are other ways of experiencing the Buddhist teachings than the way in which it is interpreted in Tibet, which is idiosyncratic to say the least.
That aside, on the whole her interviewees were interesting enough, and had certainly varied in the ways in which they incorporated Buddhist teachings into a "Western" setting and culture, and there is enough general information about Buddhism to attract and inform people who know very little to begin with. Perhaps the two I found most intriguing of those she talked to were Michael Roach, who is a very successful diamond merchant as well as being a Buddhist monk and Sister Kovida, whose humility and understanding of the dharma made quite an impact on more.
Having been riveted by her book "Cave In The Snow", a true story of a really remarkable English woman Tenzin Palmo (formerly Diane Perry), this was never going to be as good, but the stories in it do shed some light on how, why and when Buddhism started to become popular in the West, and as such it is a valuable record.
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