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The Naked Buddha  By  cover art

The Naked Buddha

By: Venerable Adrienne Howley
Narrated by: Deidre Rubenstein
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Publisher's summary

Buddhism is the fastest-growing religion in Australia. For the many people who are interested in learning more about it, here is a primer on Buddhism and Buddhist practice written in a deceptively simple manner, with an engaging, gentle humor and flavor. Adrienne Howley's purpose is to demystify Buddhism, stripping away the layers of ritual and iconography that have grown up around it over the centuries, and to present the original, basic tenets and practices in a way that will be appealing to Western readers.
©1999, 2002, and 2003 Venerable Adrienne Howley (P)2005 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd.

Critic reviews

"A streamlined, appealing primer for everything you wanted to know about Buddhism but were afraid to ask." (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about The Naked Buddha

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    5 out of 5 stars

Great insight for the pedantic and the seeker

This book is a nice discourse of the trials and tribulations of an Australian Buddhist nun. Through her experiences and answers this book gives the motivation and insight to start or continue a practice. The author has a pragmatic view and tells the story from her heart.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Substance is good but delivery is harsh

The actual substance of this book is good; however, the harsh delivery distracts from the content. The effort to be dramatic was over the top in my opinion. I found myself looking forward to the end.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Delivers What The Title Promises

If you could sum up The Naked Buddha in three words, what would they be?

Pure and unadulterated

What does Deidre Rubenstein bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The ability to meditate on the material while it is being presented.

Any additional comments?

When I began my exploration of Buddhism, I suspected that many of its teachers and followers didn't really seem to get it. Adrienne Howley does get it, that The Buddha was a man, not some surrogate deity, that Buddhism is a philosophy, practice, and lifestyle, and that Buddhism is to be applied in the context of the culture in which it is presented. Religions tell us how and what to be, and that the reward comes later. Buddhism as presented here is an instruction on how to achieve relief from suffering here and now.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Miss Jean Brody of Zen?

Unable to access this audiobook because of the narrator, just a little too much like a school marm

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3 people found this helpful