Buddhism without Beliefs: A Contemporary Guide to Awakening Paperback – Deckle Edge, 1 March 1998

Firstly the book is quite expensive, and to make it worse, it arrived damaged...Really disappointing...Anyway, let's head to the book review, which is the main part :Soo-I'm currently reading it and I had heard a lot bout this book befo- how it's super refreshing and a diff take on Buddhism- and honestly, that's what made meh want to pick it up!! And I'm glad I did!!Even tho I haven't completed it yet, I can already say it’s one of those books that really makes uh think without forcing anything on uh. It strips away the religious layers and presents Buddhism more as a philosophy for life- something that's practical and relatable even today!Stephen Batchelor writes in a way that's clear, honest, and very grounded. No heavy jargon, no feeling of being "preached to" just simple reflections that hits somewhere deep...I also checked out other reviews, and honestly, most people have said the same, that this book feels like a breath of fresh air, especially if you’re someone curious bout Buddhist ideas but not into the religious side of it. Overall, even thou my book came a little messed up (sighhhh), the content inside makes it totally worth it. I’m really enjoying the journey so far... Let's seeee what's ahead!

Good read and arrived on time

Its taken far off from buddhist teachings...its some sort of atheist, physalist new age philosophical tretise...i wonder why did the author even botbered reading buddhism...he should have been happier with philosophers like nietzhce kant etc...and along with darwin and dawkins...But what the author has done is toned down the teachings of buddha to an art of living mixing his own boring philosophy...you remove all the religious elements all you get is what a high school teacher tells you to be a good boy...author calls this agnosticism but no it is just mediocrity...This author absolutely no experience of jnanas...he calls humans as linguistic beigns...which makes my point...If you want to study buddhism read Ajahm Brahm, Titch nath haan, bhikku bodhi, etcIf you are that much banked on a rational thought then really dont bother your self reading this book...read the philosophers like sam harris and scientists like dawkins and hawkins...

A short book focused on awakening, some meditations, the noble truths of Buddha, engaging with a liberal democratic world order and building communities and friendships. It has no complex jargon, is not kind to religious institutions or concepts like reincarnation/rebirth or technical worship of meditative practices. It instead claims all these take away from original teachings. Read it in 2 hours.