About the Book
(Continued)

This is a comprehensive and sympathetic examination of differences between Asian and Western cultural and spiritual values. It presents a constructive and practical assessment of the reward of Buddhist practice and some common conflicts experienced by Westerners who look to Eastern spiritual traditions for guidance and support yet find themselves confused or disappointed.

Issues adressed include:

  • Our Western cultural belief that anger should not be suppressed versus the Buddhist teaching to counter anger and hatred.
  • Our psychotherapists' advice that attachment is the basis for healthy personal development and supportive relationships versus the Buddhist condemnation of attachment as the source of suffering.
  • Our culture's emphasis on individuality versus the Asian emphasis on interdependence and fulfillilment of duties, and the Buddhist teachings on no-self, or egolessness.