The Buddha Walks into a Bar...: A Guide to Life for a New Generation

Can the younger generation discover Buddhism more easily if Siddhartha Gautama is referred to as Sid? That is an open question in this guide by Rinzler, a 28-year-old teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition. Aiming at young people who “like to have a beer once in a while, enjoy sex, have figured out that [their] parents are crazy, or get frustrated at work,” Rinzler explores classic Buddhist techniques and concepts such as shamatha (calm abiding) and vipashyana (insight) meditation, the five kleshas (afflictive emotions), and the six paramitas (perfections). His lens for doing so is the “four dignities” (tiger, snow lion, garuda [part bird, part man], and dragon) of Shambhala Buddhism, based on teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and currently led by his son Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Examples are drawn from situations that might be encountered by 20-somethings coping with work and relationship challenges; practices are included. Rinzler’s focus on distinctive aspects of the warrior training taught by Shambhala Buddhism may narrow this guide’s appeal compared to more comprehensive introductions to this Eastern philosophy. (Jan. 10)