Buddhism: Plain and Simple

This is a short, stripped back introduction to Buddhism in it’s core form. Whilst the language and structure is as described - plain and simple; I found the ultimate theory hard to grasp. The book is well developed, and each section builds upon the last, with a great intro to the main ideas behind Buddhism and where it stands in relation to faith/religion. The central chapters relay the eightfold path that buddhists utilise as a guide to enlightenment, and the last sections cover in more detail how to go about seeing real truth, relative truth and reality.

The content is repetitive by nature, which I think is necessary given that according to Hagen and Buddhist understanding - the essence of awareness is freeing ourselves from dissatisfaction, which sounds simple but feels complicated! Hagen refers back to Buddha’s original observations and teachings, throwing off the cultural contexts of Buddhism across the globe which often involve robes, incense, temples and the like. He does a great job of bringing these teachings into contemporary life, and is definitely still applicable today despite being originally published in 1997.

This is a clear exposition into Buddhist teaching, but it’s not really a straightforward how-to guide. The point of this book, as the author makes very clear towards the latter chapters, is that to try is in complete opposition to awakening. The key messages include letting go of all notions of conception, and learning to see everything directly, and accept it as it is perceived. An easier idea to handle, is recognising that every single thing is in constant flux - this book, your body, a blade of grass, a brick. Everything is growing or diminishing, changing it’s molecular state and morphing into a new version - therefore when we refer to something as an absolute, we hold a ‘frozen’ conception of it which is ultimately an impossible contradiction. Like I said - its a short book, but I wouldn’t call it simple!

If we’re human, we habitually conceptualise our experience, thus conceiving a self. The fact that this self 1) is unlocatable, 2) contradicts direct experience, and 3) is quite literally impossible doesn’t do much to weaken the sense we generally have that it exists somewhere inside us, if not in our bodies, then at least in our minds.

Essentially, to get to the heart of Bhuddha-Dharma, you need to start unlearning what you think you know about self and other, and begin seeing everything as part of a whole. Dissatisfaction is created from within, and can therefore in principle, be eliminated by us for us. Sound easy to you? Me neither! I’d recommend the book if you’re looking for an explicit introduction to Buddhism and you are truly interested in beginning this journey (or if you’re already an expert looking for a refresher). I don’t think it’s a casual read for everyone.