Try free for 30 days

  • Buddhism Plain and Simple

  • By: Steve Hagen
  • Narrated by: William Hope
  • Length: 4 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (30 ratings)

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
Buddhism Plain and Simple cover art

Buddhism Plain and Simple

By: Steve Hagen
Narrated by: William Hope
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $17.00

Buy Now for $17.00

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

The observations and insights of the Buddha are practical and eminently down to earth, dealing exclusively with awareness in the here and now.

Buddhism Plain and Simple offers listeners these fundamental teachings, stripped of cultural trappings that have accumulated around Buddhism over the past 25 centuries. The newcomer will be inspired by the clear, simple principles found in Buddhism Plain and Simple, and those familiar with Buddhism will welcome this long-needed overview.

©1997 Steve Hagen (P)2015 Ukemi Productions Ltd

Critic Reviews

"This is the clearest and most precise exposition of Buddhism I have ever read. If you’re looking for enlightenment rather than just scholarly knowledge, you’d better read this." (Robert Pirsig, author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance)
"This is about awareness. Not awareness of something in particular, but awareness itself - being awake, alert, in touch with what is actually happening. It’s about examining and exploring the most basic questions of life. It’s about relying on the immediate experience of this present moment. It’s about freedom of mind." (Steve Hagen)

What listeners say about Buddhism Plain and Simple

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    18
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    2
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    17
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    16
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not really Plain or Simple... or Buddhist

I love Buddhism and love things put Plainly & Simply.
But I'd describe this more as one person's version of Buddhism, which is not really the standard version, and not put particularly plainly or simply at all.
It was one of those books I kept drifting off from, didn't have any great "yes, great concept/advice/inspiration" moments, and after I finished it - couldn't really remember anything he said.
If you're looking for a good foundation Buddhist book, I'd recommend Jack Kornfield Buddhism for Beginners.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

If your asleep then this will help you awaken

loved it! I found all the content to be perfectly sensible and helpful. An open mind will surely find this impossible to disagree with. Here, now connected.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Sorts the wheat from the chaff

Puts the fundamentals into understandable concepts. Not simple, but understandable. It also requires practice before it is actually going to sink in.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A book that explains Buddhism well

Fantastic book. The narrators voice was just right. made some very difficult concertos much easier to understand. thoroughly recommend this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

good short insight

easy to listen to some key take away points I never knew , worthwhile. recommend

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

confused

The is not plain and simple it is way to much confusion. Listening to the audio made me confused and there is better books available

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.