THE WISDOM OF THE BUDDHIST MASTERS - ROBERT SACHS

THE WISDOM OF THE BUDDHIST MASTERS - ROBERT SACHS

RATING: B-

After detailing the purpose of the book and listing the original questions used for the interviews, the author offers us each interview with a modern Buddhist master in printed form. I personally related best to Ven. Thubten Chodron whose understanding of the way media attempts to influence us is akin to my own. I myself have already chosen to not use TV, newspapers, or radio. The book offers practical and contemplative advice for those interested in either improving the shared world about us or at least surviving this current life.

I would recommend this book to those interested in current affairs from a Buddhist viewpoint, those wishing to make our planet a better place, and those seeking guidance in how to understand the world's current state and direction.

SHAMANS OF THE WORLD - NANCY CONNOR & BRADFORD KEENEY

SHAMANS OF THE WORLD - NANCY CONNOR & BRADFORD KEENEY

RATING: B

Dealing with a variety of alternative healers taken from various indiginous cultures, this book covers the better side of medicine to the Western 'pills n profits' too many of us automatically use (though not myself). It opens with a beautiful story of a NAI lady who found she was destined to become a healer in much the same way that I discovered I was destined to practice Tibetan Buddhism.

I connect best to the NAI accounts. I can relate to recognition of technology as destructive to Mother Nature rather than man progressing, for example. I found a book full of preferable alternative to those which my own culture is supposed to use. It is good to know that so many alternatives exist nd can only say that I have more faith in such as these than that of Western medicine.

I would recommend this book to those interested in learning of medical alternatives to the 'expected' modern approach.

WORLD RELIGIONS an illustrated guide - EDITOR SEAN MCLOUGHLIN

WORLD RELIGIONS an illustrated guide - EDITOR SEAN MCLOUGHLIN

RATING: C -

Briefly covering each of the the mainstream religions that have adorned our planet over known awareness of such, none of the religions are taken into any detail. The religions are grouped together by location rather than popularity or time. The book serves well as a basic guide but lacks enough depth for readers to learn sufficiently to fully understand each religion.

I would recommend the book as a guide to the location of various religions and as a time frame, but not for any serious student wanting to know the dull story of any particular religious group.

THE GUIDE TO INDIA - TONI HUBER/AMDO GENDUN CHOPEL

THE GUIDE TO INDIA - TONI HUBER/AMDO GENDUN CHOPEL

RATING: C

Although I found the book informative, there were so many notes telling the reader that this or that fact was not necessarily correct, that the English translation of this Tibetan classic became slightly tedious. The original text was written sometime ago, although the translation and this edition are more modern. Many of the places named refer to places now considered outside of India, such as Nepal and Pakistan, although at the time of original writing they were Indian territory.

I would recommend the book to those interested in a Tibetan perspective to traveling India for the purpose of viewing places of Buddhist pilgrimage and those interested in pre 21st century India and Tibet relations and travel.

A GUIDE TO SARNATH - B MAJUMDAR

A GUIDE TO SARNATH - B MAJUMDAR

RATING: C+

The first two chapters, dealing with Buddhism and the history of Sarnath are both informative and useful to me. There then enters a somewhat dry and descriptive chapter pertaining to the monuments, akin to a guide. This is followed by information concerning the museum, completing the book. The book was originally written in the 20th Century but remains a valid guide to Sarnath today.

I would recommend the book to those interested in knowing what is in Sarnath to be viewed or to those interested in the history of Sarnath, although personally I got more from the text concerning Buddhism than on Sarnath itself.

LANDS OF THE THUNDERBOLT SIKHIM CHUMBI & BHUTAN - LORD RANALDSHAY

LANDS OF THE THUNDERBOLT SIKHIM CHUMBI & BHUTAN - LORD RANALDSHAY

RATING: C

This book covers various aspects of Buddhism, albeit seen only through Theravada preferring eyes, along with intriguing botanically detailed travel notations. Written in the early 20th century, in can be read for its historical value as well as from its travel and botany aspects.

I would recommend the book to those interested in early 20th C history, botanical descriptions of Himalayan countries, and travel, as well as those interested in viewing Himalayan culture through Western eyes.