| "Why I Am a Buddhist: No-Nonsense Buddhism with | | | | who knows nothing about Buddhism, there is a lot of |
| Red Meat and Whiskey" by Stephen T. Asma is an | | | | information here to assist with knowing the differences |
| entertaining and interesting look at the author's journey | | | | between types of Buddhism practices and the basic |
| into the practice of Buddhism that sheds light on much | | | | teachings that are taught in these schools. However, |
| of what the practice can offer. It's definitely not like | | | | the real meat of the text, which I like that the author |
| most Buddhism books you'll find on the shelf. At times, | | | | says you can practice Buddhism and still eat meat, is |
| those more familiar with traditional texts will scratch | | | | the author's personal journey and his reflections on |
| their heads and ponder, "Did he really just say that?" | | | | how a person can live as a Buddhist in today's society. |
| And that's one of the things I really liked about this | | | | For anyone who has wondered about Buddhism as a |
| book. It offers a realistic approach, because it is the | | | | spiritual practice to discover oneself, or if you just want |
| approach taken by Asma. It's worked for him, and you | | | | to know more about Buddhism and don't want to read |
| may just find that it is okay to practice as you seem | | | | a classical text full of creeds and dogma, this book is |
| fit, not as others tell you, and it can work for you. | | | | an "enlightening" look at the Buddhist path toward |
| The book actually contains many traditional lessons | | | | enlightenment. It's not so much religion, but a practice |
| and is well researched in that aspect. For the reader | | | | that has helped the author, and just might help you too. |