Religions provide answers to the questions of mystic nature. How the mystic ideas came into the minds of primitive man and how the religions evolved into present forms, is briefly elaborated in this book. Almost all people stick to the belief systems induced by the parents. Irrespective of ones religion, this is a strange phenomenon of our psyche, which we do not perceive. Some people can be driven to commit suicide in the name of their belief system. This explains how external ideas implanted in us after birth, play a dominant role in our life journey. As to how our brain cells are programmed to accommodate this unique feature of “I” ness in us is the mystery of all mysteries. The core Buddha teachings address the “I” ness in a comprehensive manner. The Buddha is reputed as a supreme person of enormous knowledge, specifically in the thinking about thinking. This book explores the core elements of Buddha teachings in a broader manner with a different dimension of logical insight, analysis and rationale.
The status of mindfulness, the logic of ending unhappiness, the purpose of meditation, etc., have been extensively exposed from conventional Buddhist realms by correlating these to mind programs. The author has explained, why he postulates “self” as a mere sub-program in an innate brain program and he believes that we have been programmed to presume as we are “the program” but we are not; the main brain program runs us.
Intended audience
This book will be interested to readers who wish to study religions and those who specifically like to explore the common Buddhist concepts expressed in a different manner, correlating them to facts of nature, brain functions and common sense.
Excerpt
) “Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense. Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace. Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it. Do not dwell in the past; do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”
Professional Reviews
An Unconventional Approach to Buddhist Doctrine, January 18, 2010
I read this book from cover to cover and it is brilliant. I have not read any book about Buddhism as good as this one. His analyses, the use of computer models, logical presentations of facts and flow diagrams are amazing and clear. The author obviously has read many books on Buddhism and is extremely knowledgeable. Now I have had the benefit of educating myself through what he has written and this has given me an opportunity to re-evaluate my thinking on this subject.
The author's ability to read the Buddhist scripture and extract what Buddha really meant or said (also not said) is the greatest contribution he has made in this book. He has shown how and why rebirth and karma have been included as parts of Buddha's philosophy as practised today, and why those aspects have become cornerstone of the conventional Buddhist teaching. The cessation of suffering and "anatta" (non-self) are the two pillars of Buddhist teaching that Buddha regarded as the essence of his doctrine and the subsequent discourses he made during his life time. In this context the author has shown that the concepts of karma, rebirth, existence of gods and even nirvana were part of Hindu culture prior to Buddha's time. Buddhism, as known and practised today, has unfortunately married them to the original teachings of Buddha to make Buddhism more palatable to a greater mass of people.
By Dr. A. Jayatilaka-(United Kingdom)
Buddhism - Facts without Fancy!,
By Bunchy Rahuman -
A personal statement based on deep reflection, the book is balanced and well developed, with much supportive data. A practical, implementable, everyday formula, reviewing of which will most certainly jog our minds to sort out our own viewpoints. A journey of discovery through refreshingly thought provoking reformulations of many everyday facts of Buddhism. A really good short read! Sad to say, a title such as "Buddhism - Facts without Fancy" would better describe the content.
Wider understanding of Buddhism
The book Buddha Impetus to Primitive Psyche discusses the human mental process in accordance with the Buddhist doctrine. The author with his deep knowledge on Buddhism analyses what Buddha taught in 2500 y ago making comparisons with the modern science. In addition the author goes extra mile to discuss the elements of other religions hence providing a broader vison. This book gives and it is presented in a reader friendly language.
The Double Mirrors and Ones and Zeros theories, by Dylan Tauber. Parallel mirrors in our minds produce a vision of the infinite. Love is all that exists. Free PDF download.
This book chronicles an infinite allegoric odyssey of Absolute Awakening in which a learned man, a mute man, and a recluse woman are the principal players. The mute and the recluse are the learned one's Teachers and Guides on his journey of Enlighten
