Buddha for Beginners

By: Stephen T. Asma

Narrated by: John C. Winson

Despite the widespread popularity of Buddhist practices (like meditation), there is little understanding of the complex philosophy behind Buddhism. The historical Buddha, Gautama, was a real person - a radical - who challenged the religious leaders of his day. Buddha for Beginners introduces the listener to the historical Buddha, to the ideas that made him change his life, and to the fascinating philosophical debates that engaged him and formed the core of Buddhism. Buddha for Beginners compares Buddha's philosophy with those of his contemporaries, the later Buddhist schools, and Western Philosophy. The book includes a survey distinguishing the philosophical differences among later schools of Buddhism, such as Theravada, Madhyamaika, Tantric, Zen, and others.

Buddha for Beginners is not a book you hear, it is a book you experience. It makes you stop and close your eyes. Through some magical combination of words, drawings, and intuitive wisdom, Buddha for Beginners conveys not only the facts of Buddhism, but the peace, the silence...the feel of it. It is historically accurate, spiritually challenging, and the pauses mean as much as the words.

©2008 Stephen A. Asma (P)2015 Vibrance Press

Narrators voice

The voice of the narrator would start out strong and loud. Then when he started to talk like the Buddha his voice would drop it was very hard to hear him in my car. I did not enjoy that at all.