Secular Buddhism: Imagining the Dharma in an Uncertain World by Stephen Batchelor (PDF)

Description

An essential collection of Stephen Batchelor’s most probing and important work on secular Buddhism As the practice of mindfulness permeates mainstream Western culture, more and more people are engaging in a traditional form of Buddhist meditation. However, many of these people have little interest in the religious aspects of Buddhism, and the practice occurs within secular contexts such as hospitals, schools, and the workplace. Is it possible to recover from the Buddhist teachings a vision of human flourishing that is secular rather than religious without compromising the integrity of the tradition? Is there an ethical framework that can underpin and contextualize these practices in a rapidly changing world? In this collected volume of Stephen Batchelor’s writings on these themes, he explores the complex implications of Buddhism’s secularization. Ranging widely—from reincarnation, religious belief, and agnosticism to the role of the arts in Buddhist practice—he offers a detailed picture of contemporary Buddhism and its attempt to find a voice in the modern world.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐Author goes going thru the Pali Canon and thru translations, weaving together strands of the discourses into a coherent narrative, and explains cultural and historical context of the time presents us practical, realistic and human picture of Gotama

⭐Stephen Batchelor was my introduction to Buddhist thought, and his humanist secular approach resonates with me as a Physicist.Having read some of his other works (including Buddhism Without Beliefs, Confession of a Buddhist Atheist, and his, in my opinion, seminal work After Buddhism), Batchelor’s views and way of thinking come through in terms of personal anecdotes, largely in Confession of a Buddhist Atheist.This work, Secular Buddhism, is a compilation of interviews, essays, and informal pieces by Batchelor that flesh out his own worldview and his goals as a teacher and a practitioner. My favorite two pieces inside are Buddhism 2.0, a work that preceded After Buddhism, and After Buddhism, where Batchelor discusses his own Book that had just been published and discussed his thinking with certain sections in it. There are beautifully written pieces as well in which Batchelor describes his interactions with other Buddhist figures via their works, which is fascinating to read, and many others!Would highly recommend this and other works by Batchelor for those interested in historical analysis of philosophical thought, largely in the Buddhist world, and those who would like to apply a secular humanist practice in their own lives based off of the teaching of the Buddha.

⭐Have I gotten your attention? (Trigger Warning)The title of this review is the criticism secular practitioners (like myself), and Mr. Batchelor, have heard time and time again – usually by some “monk” or mainstream Buddhist teacher whose livelihood is threatened by the ideas Mr. Bachelor has presented over the course of many years. Never fear, dear monks and teachers, you will always have those who are willing to provide for you. The gullible abound, and you shall be well fed.Those new to Buddhism might want to start with Mr. Batchelor’s earlier works (and website), and work their way to this. So, if you’re looking to “jump right in” to the secular Buddhist path, and want to read from Mr. Batchelor’s comprehensive works, visit his website, (or these titles: “Buddhism Without Beliefs”, “Confession of a Buddhist Atheist”, and “After Buddhism.”) and get a taste of what he is going to provide in this book.If you are a dedicated, devout “religious” Buddhist, one who has put his/her entire faith in the mystical nebulous concept of enlightenment and nirvana, then this book may not (most certainly will not) be for you. (That could be said for most of Mr. Batchelor’s books). It is the Red Pill. It will open your mind to a view of Buddhism that has shed that mystical woo. It will shake the very core foundation of your beliefs such that you might finally gain some real peace. And who wants that? Who wants to believe that nirvana is available right this minute, in this very world? Sure, I’d rather seek an unreachable, impossible goal, with no hope of ever attaining it, too.If you are familiar with the writings, essays, and talks of Stephen Batchelor, then this is another in a line of well written, thoughtful, and provocative works from the author. Most of this will be familiar to you. It is a mix of original material, as well as essays, articles, talks that you may already know of.Four stars because of Four Tasks. It seems appropriate. Oh, and because, even though there was good stuff and some new material, it is really just a rehash of so much of what Mr. Batchelor has already written over they years that I felt that $12 (Kindle) was a bit steep for the book. But a man has to eat, and I’d rather give money to someone who speaks my “language”, that someone peddling woo.

⭐Arrived just as promised with the book just as described.

⭐Stephen Batchelor writes in a clear and concise way. His command of the delicate and sublime teachings of the Buddha and his poetic command of the English language allow the reader to enter into a dance with the teachings themselves.

⭐I found almost all of these essays illuminating, but I don’t think this book is the place to go to understand Batchelor’s interpretation of Buddhist thought.

⭐This is a book that everybody curious about this ancient teaching should read. It presents Gotama’s message minus the unnecessary religiosity and metaphysical beliefs that fully resonates with our modern times and current understanding of the world. Batchelor is making his teaching about Buddhism more and more refined and clear over time. His background and experience allows him to talk with authority and confidence. Highly recommended.

⭐This is my 5th Stephen Batchelor book. They are each golden. As a Brit, it is in clear crisp English. As a very long time Buddhist, he is a wonderful addition, with his humanistic, secular take on Buddhist Ethics, to the more “religious” of such readily available. Do yourself a treat and read this author, this book.

⭐Disjointed writings that somehow come together to deliver a whole. Interesting. And I now know more about collage making as well as Secular Buddhism.

⭐Perfect condition.

Keywords

Free Download Secular Buddhism: Imagining the Dharma in an Uncertain World in PDF format
Secular Buddhism: Imagining the Dharma in an Uncertain World PDF Free Download
Download Secular Buddhism: Imagining the Dharma in an Uncertain World 2017 PDF Free
Secular Buddhism: Imagining the Dharma in an Uncertain World 2017 PDF Free Download
Download Secular Buddhism: Imagining the Dharma in an Uncertain World PDF
Free Download Ebook Secular Buddhism: Imagining the Dharma in an Uncertain World