The Buddha in Your Rearview Mirror: A Guide to Practicing Buddhism in Modern Life

by Woody Hochswender

Book Overview

Five years ago, journalist and practicing Buddhist Woody Hochswender co-authored a book on Buddhism that focused on the teachings of Nichiren, a 13th-century Japanese monk who has become the spiritual... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1584795522
• ISBN13: 9781584795520
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.1" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

A Great Explanation

This book is a great companion to The Buddha in Your Mirror. It ties in well with the introduction to Nichiren's Buddhism. The author explains the mechanics of the practice very well. He puts into simple easy to understand terminology. His use of everyday examples facilitates it all and gives one something to think about as he/she goes about their daily lives.

Buddha in your rearview mirror

Buddha in Your Rearview Mirror This book is great. It explains how to use a 13th Century Buddhist practice to live a life of great value in the 21st Century without giving up your beliefs, your self-identity or your life style. It explains the similarities between Buddhism and Christianity. Learn about your evil twin and how to use him (her) as a springboard to a happy life. It's easy to read and easy to understand. Has just the right amount of information and humor to make it great reading.

Spectacular read

This book allows an inside view and understanding of the most dynamic buddhist sect in the 21st century. The concepts are very deep yet simply put in a way that anyone can truly comprehend. I highly recommend!!

I see myself clearly

William James, a hundred years ago, played a major part in establishing the dominant philosophical system underpinning American beliefs--pragmatism. In essence, truth is what brings good, what value one derives from belief. In assessing religious beliefs, this comports well with Hochswender's explanation of Buddhism generally and the Nichiren Buddhism of the SGI that he focuses on in this book. The first President of the lay organization of Buddhists that Hochswender profiles was a follower of John Dewey in terms of educational theory and no doubt along with his pragmatic views Dewey held in concert with his associate James. All this history is just to point to the fact that a seemingly Oriental religion has a surprisingly profound correlation to American thought. Moreover, in evaluating the benefit of one Buddhist sect or another, it becomes clear that applying a simple "the proof is in the pudding" analysis, Nichiren Buddhism indeed is worth testing. It is the largest Buddhist sect in Japan and probably worldwide for the reason that its simple practice works. The Rearview Mirror book is broader and more comprehensive than the earlier book that Hochswender coauthored with Greg Martin and Ted Morino. In my opinion, either is a good introduction to Buddhism but the more recent one may be better for the younger or more cerebral type of reader.

Must read for Buddhists 101

Very lively and wonderful book. Answers a lot of questions even for an 'old' buddhist practitioner like. Keep cranking it out, Woody! Young people who I gave this book to as gifts have responded very very positively to it.