Westerners in Search of Wisdom.
'Why Buddhism?' is a series of interviews through which Vicki Mackenzie explores the reason for Buddhism's growing appeal in western society. Through personal examples, the book reveals what Buddhism means to a wide range of people in the UK, Australia and the US. The interviews are inspiring and informative, covering the process each person went through in becoming involved in Buddhism, as well as the effect it has had on their lives and any difficulties they've encountered.
The subjects interviewed range from the famous, like composer Phillip Glass, actor Tracy Mann, and author/teacher Robert Thurman, to the heroic, such as the nun who brings Buddhist teachings to hardened criminals in jail, the extraordinary - like the Buddhist diamond merchant, and the ordinary made remarkable - like the Queensland woman dying a good Buddhist death.
Popular rather than scholarly in tone, 'Why Buddhism?' will appeal to those of us who are keen to know more about a religion that is much talked about but little understood.
