I am pleased to announce the publication of my next book, The Everything Buddhism Book.

“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”–Dalai Lama

That’s easy for the Dalai Lama to say–but for the rest of us, understanding this mysterious, multilayered faith can be very difficult. With this updated and revised edition of the classic Buddhist primer, you can delve into the profound principles of nonviolence, mindfulness, and self-awareness. From Tibetan Buddhism to Zen, you’ll explore the traditions of all branches of Buddhism, including:

In this guide, you’ll discover the deceptively simple truths of this enigmatic religion. Most important, you learn how to apply the tenets of Buddhism to your daily life–and achieve clarity and inner peace in the process.

In the opening “Dear Reader” section of the book, I say,

Dear Reader,

In 1984 I was at Amherst College with the Dalai Lama for the Inner Science

Conference where His Holiness was lecturing on Buddhist psychology

and Western thinkers provided commentary. The Dalai Lama’s translator

took ill and his substitute wasn’t up to the task of translating the intricacies

of Tibetan Buddhist psychology of mind. The result was hilarious. This is

Buddhism in a nutshell; intellect ultimately yields to experience.

Inspired, I went to India after college and found His Holiness in

Bodh Gaya giving the Kalachakra Tantra. He also guided us through

Shantideva’s Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life, culminating in taking

the bodhisattva vows–“I vow to attain enlightenment for the benefit of

all sentient beings.”

It is in this spirit, dear reader, that I offer this book.

From the Introduction:

Buddhism traces its roots back to the Buddha, a yogi who lived more

than 2,500 years ago in northern India. The Buddha discovered a way to

live that radically transformed people’s lives, starting with his own. His revolutionary

insights have withstood the test of time and his methods can still

transform lives as they did in ancient India. The Buddha taught mindfulness,

kindness, and compassion. Buddhism, the family of religions that evolved

from the Buddha’s teachings, is one of the great ethical systems for the benefit

of humanity.

While Buddhism may be considered a nontheistic religion, it transcends

religious belief into practical experience. You don’t believe in Buddhism,

you practice Buddhism. In fact, you don’t even need to be a “Buddhist” to

practice “Buddhism.” You just have to sit down and meditate.

At a time when yoga enjoyed widespread popularity, the Buddha was a

prodigious yogi. He mastered the yogas of his day and then founded a way

that could go beyond all suffering. This way also goes beyond words and

needs to be experienced for yourself. The good news is that is available right

here, right now.

Jane Hirshfield, in the PBS documentary The Buddha, offers an explanation

of the Buddha’s teachings in seven words: “Everything changes; everything

is connected; pay attention.” This is a nice condensing of millions of

words attributed to the Buddha in the Pali Canon. “Everything changes;

everything is connected; pay attention.” Got that?!

Buddhism is flourishing in the West. It seems to offer a much-needed

antidote to the stresses of modern life. It provides a way to renovate your

relationship to uncertainty. It provides a way to renovate your relationship to

want. Christians and Jews alike practice aspects of Buddhism while retaining

their own traditions and marking their own holidays. From celebrities

to the clerk at the gas station convenience store, this vibrant religion is capturing

the hearts and minds of many. Buddhism carries within its belly the

power to transform individuals, societies, and the world. It is a practice of

interior and exterior revolution.