BUDDHISM WITHOUT BELIEFS A Contemporary Guide to Awakening

These eight sessions introduce the fundamental ideas and practice of Buddhism with insight and precision. The author places the origins of Buddhism in historical context, then explicates core terms at length, drawing out semantic implications and symbolic meanings. This gives listeners the conceptual tools needed to follow the instructional sessions, which draw on all major schools of Buddhism. Stephen Batchelor delivers subtle guidance in meditation in clear prose, augmented by wit and common sense. The lectures conclude by reflecting on how Buddhist concepts of spiritual freedom fit with Western concepts of political freedom and by sketching the political agenda that Buddhist compassion might lead to. G.T.B. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 02]