That's Funny, You Don't Look Buddhist: On Being a Faithful Jew and a Passionate Buddhist

by Sylvia Boorstein

Book Overview

From her Jewish childhood in New York to meetings with the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, beloved teacher and bestselling author Sylvia Boorstein guides readers through an entertaining and practical examination of a life lived richly both as a Jew and a Buddhist.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060609583
• ISBN13: 9780060609580
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: HarperOne
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.3" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Interfaith understanding appreciated

I am not a religiously observant person, but Sylvia Boorstein's negotiation of two religious paths is appreciated as a welcome example of interfaith practice. We need more of the same within and beyond the communities of faith as we make the messy, dangerous transition from tribal sectarianism and exclusivist ideology to a society based on insight, compassion, justice and dignity. This is a well-written and inspiring book.

An entertaining and inspiring read

I must say, this is a great book. Its a bit of serendipity as I read it with cynical curiosity. Boorstein uses her own story and insights to illustrate her experience with how spiritual traditions can play off of one another and for some people become more meaningful together than either one could do for those individuals. By recalling her memories for the reader she gives an honest and factual explication of the subject. She approaches topics with no hidden agenda. What's more her writing style - which is humorous and very readable - combines with some great tidbits from her past to make this books quite entertaining. I hardly put this book down from the moment I began reading it. I believe, and hope, almost anyone will probably like it as much as I have.

simple and pleasing

This was a gentle and satisfying read for me, with a good connection of the commonalities of two ancient religions. This author expressed the her evolving sense of self with sincerity and honesty. Bottom line, it made me feel good.

A must for Jews interested in Buddhist thought

This book affected me more than any other I have read since Thich Nhat Hanh's "Peace is Every Step". Much more than The Jew In the Lotus, this book gives a great Jewish perspective on Buddhist thought, and visa versa. I highly recommend it!

A beautifully written map of a great spiritual mind

Sylvia Boorstein skillfully and thoughtfully showed me how being an observant Jew and an ardent Buddhist are not mutually exclusive, but rather can be mutually enhancing. Her balance, sometimes precarious, between her cultural "home" and her search for spiritual enlightenment proves that we are all, indeed, greater than the sum of our parts. My favorite aspect of this book is that it did not seek to answer questions - no chapter made pronouncements, or left me feeling that one choice was made over another. Ms. Boorstein has great warmth and tenderness toward her reader, and I rated this book a 9 only because it ended too soon! I heartily recommend this book as a companion on any spiritual quest.