The Essence of Buddha: The Path to Enlightenment

Listen to me, all open-minded and non-crazy good-hearted people! DO NOT LISTEN to the other reviews by people who are persecuting bigoted idiots who suffer from an inferiority complex and an attachment to past failures. I know spirituality and religion, and especially Buddhism. Whether it's Tibetan, Chinese Zen, Japanese Zen, traditional or modern or universal, or radical. I've been reading hundreds of non-fictional books on all spiritual teachings of the east and west including satanism, voodoo, santeria, black & white magic, govt. & alien conspiracies, tarot cards, astrology, numerology, palmistry, face reading, Osho, Yogananda, Babaji, Maitreya, Dalai Lama, Deepak Chopra, Dr. Wayne Dyer, new age, wicca, Greek philosophy, Descartes, Hegel, Emerson, Whitman, Kafka, Tolstoy, Dante, Homer, The Holy Bible, The Q'uran, Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, the Rig Veda, The Egyptian & Tibetan Book of the Dead, The Tao De Ching, I-Ching, etc. etc. for the past 19 consecutive years. I know my stuff. I have an above average IQ and know how to spot bullcrap faster than a bloodhound! Ryuho Okawa is the GREATEST SPIRITUAL MASTER OF ALL TIME!!! Don't take my word for it, research and investigate for yourself. DON'T BE HATIN' UNTIL YOU BE INVESTIGATIN'! That is all I have to say.

I have read many books on Buddhism, and have started many more. I often find myself getting bogged down in these books, either because they are too densely written, or because the author is not a very good writer. Once in a while, I come across a book on Buddhism where the author is telling you, in his own words, based on his own experience, what Buddhism is all about. This is one such book. Okawa uses an excellent format, making each chapter only a page or two, and giving you enough information to begin your study of that topic. He does have his own slight spins on things. For instance, his views on "Right Effort" and "Right Action" are a little different than most interpretations. But the essence of Buddha's teachings is there. I found delightful his explanation of how the Buddha came to enlightenment, and the importance of the girl giving him a bowl of porridge. This book is a total delight, and an inspiring read. It presents a living practical Buddhism, but one that still resonates with the essence of the Buddha. I can't say enough good things about this book. It is true, what one reviewer noted, that Okawa spends a few pages talking about advancing to "Grand Tathagata" and some arcane topics, but it is my understanding that the Buddha did this too, and the point, really, is that you can continue to advance in your spiritual life with patience and perseverance. This book will remain on my shelf. It is animated by the spirit of the Living Buddha.

The Essence of Buddha: The Path to Enlightenment is one of my favourite books on Buddhism along with Ryuho Okawa's other book `The Rebirth of Buddha'. It explains to us in simple terms the life of Gautama Siddhartha (Shakyamuni Buddha) and how he came to enlightenment. He also explain how we all can journey up the path to enlightenment that has many stages towards being a real Buddha (although this will take many, many lifetimes!!). I love this book because it has changed my life, enlightened me to the essence of Buddhism and given more meaning to living a life of making efforts, becoming a better person and helping others in the world. From my understanding of the essence of Buddhism, it is simply taking suffering that exists in life and changing it into serenity, bliss and happiness through the light of enlightenment: understanding the Truth of existence and why we live. We can only do this through deeply exploring our true nature within. So, Buddha gave us the Eightfold Path that leads to that natural state that resides in all of us. This book guides us onto that path in simple terms. If you are open-minded, are willing to learn more about Buddhism, and wish to transform your life from one of suffering into one of serenity, then I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to you. ...with love, light and happiness, Tony.

I have read many of Ryuho Okawa's books in the past, and I found "The Essence of Buddha" to be among one of my favorites. There is deep wisdom to be attained through his words. And a strong determination toward self-responsibility and right effort for the sake of development. This book provides the reader with tools in achieving true human happiness, betterment, and living life with meaning and purpose. It has truly given me a great sense of strength and the motivation to better myself and my life, so that I may become a positive source of service and contribution to society. I would highly recommend this book to people of all ages, who are in search of an enlightening experience!