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Loy (ethics, religion, & society, Xavier Univ.; The Great Awakening) would have us believe that Buddhism is better than sex. Or money. Or fame. Well, perhaps it's not exactly better, but, as Loy points out in this provocative look at contemporary America, Buddhism does offer us a way of better understanding why the things we pursue so fervently ultimately leave us unfulfilled. The book's title and its frivolous chapter headings (e.g., "How To Drive Your Karma") belie the seriousness of the text, which is never less than clear in dealing with obscure concepts and in urging an engaged Buddhist response to the difficulties of modern life. There is some repetition of ideas since many of the essays here first appeared as independent pieces in various publications, but for the most part, this repetition helps to reinforce what's being said. Offering non-Buddhists a stimulating framework for dealing with the perception of an emptiness in our secularized times and Buddhists a kick in the pants that disallows the concept of Buddhist practice as irresponsible, irrelevant, and inconsistent with the heart of the teachings, this thoroughly modern take on our contemporary situation deserves a wide reading. Recommended for all collections.
—Mark Woodhouse
Addicted_to-Dharma
Posted September 29, 2011
It's been awhile since a book without violence and high mystery kept me up all night turning pages. I highly recommend this book to seekers and those concered with the downward descent of our society and how Buddha dharma might help. Phillip Ziegler, author of A Skeptic's guide to the 12 Steps.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.David Loy is insightful and seems to live in the same world I do--in conventional reality where ideals and the art of the possible meet. Sound dharma understandings offered in view of western convention. Loy is a gifted writer with a good natured sense of humor.
While not a beginners book, this is likely to be as helpful (and more interesting) to someone who wants to understand Buddhism in the context of their western life as any basic book on buddhism.
Overview
David R. Loy has become perhaps the greatest advocate of the Buddhist worldview's ability to transform the sociopolitical landscape of the modern world. In this, his most accessible work to date, he offers clear presentations of oft-misunderstood Buddhist staples — the working of karma, the nature of self, the causes of trouble on both an individual and societal scale — while also inviting readers to examine topics closer to home, such as “Why We Love War” and the real reasons behind the sense of never having enough time, money, sex, security, or anything else. His “Buddhist Revolution” is nothing less than a radical change in the ways readers can approach their lives, the environment, the collective delusions that ...