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Rating: 
Summary: Beautifully rendered, and often very funny.
Review: I was knocked out by One Dharma. Mostly, as a relatively fledgling Buddhist, I was thankful to have a book that explained, in The-Precisely-Right Language, what the Dharma was and why it might be so important to me - so that this could be explained to my loved ones, and also, reiterated for myself! This quality of the book made the it immensely useful for going deeper into certain concepts with my Buddhist-curious (and very supportive) wife, and it was also a joy to read - beautifully rendered, and often very funny. The book helped my wife to understand key Buddhist concepts, and it helped me too, by putting elements of my practice into terms that made me engage them with a new clarity and focus. It's been my experience that it's rare for a book to speak so clearly to a self-identified Buddhist and also to someone who is not. 'One Dharma' does just that. Also: I have mentioned the book's clarity and humor - I want to mention, too, the writing, which is flows with incredible ease. This is a VERY enjoyable read!
Rating: 
Summary: The Dharma of Freedom
Review: Joseph Goldstein has written an ambitious, short book which attempts to synthesize the wisdom and teachings of various Buddhist traditions and which offers thoughts on the possible future couse of Buddhism in the West. The book is also a practitioner's guide and a manual for those setting out on a Buddhist practice.Each of the components of this book is difficult and important. Joseph Goldstein has valuable things to teach and suggest to the reader about the many questions raised in the book. But I found that the book had a certain lack of focus from trying to do too many things in too brief a compass. Specifically, Mr. Goldstein's discussion of meditation practice and of Buddhist moraliity was very well put. It cannot be heard often enough, particularly for those readers new to Buddhism. But the discussion of meditation practice, for me, was not well integrated with the other themes of the book -- an attempt to show what various Buddhist teachings prevalent in the United States have in common and to show how Buddhism may develop in the United States. The book opens with an eloquent discussion of the growing interest by many people of Buddhism in the United States. It discusses as well the three traditions which probably have received most attention in the West: Theravada, Zen, and Tibetan Buddhism, although Mr. Goldstein is fully aware that there are other traditions as well. With the transmission of the Dharma to the United States, Mr. Goldstein asks what these traditions have in common and how the Westerner is to learn to practice. He offers many stories from his own experience, beginning with his practice in Theravada Buddhism which gradually expanded to an interest in Zen and Tibetan Buddhism. There is an all-to-brief history of Buddhism and its divisions into the Theravada and Mahayana schools. For all the goood things Mr. Goldstein has to say about practice, I would have liked to have heard more about this given the theme of the book. Mr. Goldstein stresses the pragmatic character of the Buddha's teaching with its encompassing purpose of ending suffering. He rightly emphasizes, I think, that this purpose is common to all Buddhist traditions and he suggests as well that practitioners can draw on one or the other of the traditions given their own spiritual needs and progress. In a brief compass, he also contrasts various traditions as being "top-down" on the one hand, emphasizing the pure, radiant character of the mind, or "bottom-up" on the other hand, as in the Theravada tradition, emphasizing the hold of the passions and the fetters and the need to work to purify the mind. Again, I would have liked a fuller treatment of these themes and perhaps less an emphasis on meditation technique. There are many books available which address the latter. Mr Goldstein emphasizes, rightly, a famous verse from the Dhamamapada,(verse 183) a compilation of verses from the Theravada canon. The verse is "Not to do any evil; to cultivate good, to purify one's mind -- this is the Teaching of the Buddhas." This verse does indeed sum up the Buddha's teaching in all the schools. Much of Mr. Goldstein's book is a commentary on the verse. But I still was left with the feeling that a more detailed presentation was required to understand Buddhism in the United States. As the book progresses with the treatments of nonclinging, selfnesses, and Nirvana, the differences in the various traditions becomes clear and the book assumes a better focus. There is a good attempt to show in the conclusion of the book how the various traditions of Buddhism are all paths leading to one goal -- the cessation of suffering through the attainment of wisdom. The United States offers the unique possibility of the realization of a "Dharma of Freedom.", Mr Goldstein tells us at the end of the book. It will not be tied to particular schoools or debates but rather will offer the hope of freedom from suffering and from clinging for those who choose to enter the path. "One Dharma" is one of the few books that woould be better if it were longer. Too much is left out for the reader to see how the traditions of Buddhism, if only on the surface, differ from each other and how the transmission of Buddhism to the United States promises the opportunity of integrating teachings from the different schools.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as Significant a Book as the Title Might Suggest
Review: Joseph Goldstein's latest book is basically a very good synopsis of his personal journey in the Buddha-Dharma and in his own practice. It reiterates many of the themes and principles that he has discussed in previous books and introduces some relatively new ones (e.g., relating to Tibetan Dzogchen, for example). For someone new to Buddhism, this might be a helpful or even an inspiring book. More seasoned students might detect, as I did, a subtle uncurrent of ideological assumptions. The idea of "One Dharma", as Goldstein presents it, is not entirely coherent.
For one, the suggestion that there is "One Dharma" emerging in the West is at odds with Goldstein's stated assumption that the different traditions of Dharma will continue to exist distinctly, even in the West. If that is so, then there are Many Dharmas. Historically there have been many cultures and many different kinds of people, and for that reason, the historical existence of Many Dharmas has been a good thing. The West is multicultural so one would expect and hope to see Many Dharmas flourishing here. Nobody can argue convincingly that Buddhism will not evolve and adapt in the West. Likewise, it seems obvious that cross-fertilization of traditions is, to some extent, a sign of Buddhism's adaptability and relevance. However the idea that "One Dharma" is emerging and that "One Dharma" is a leitmotiv of "Western Buddhism" seems naively idealistic. The idea of "One Vehicle" as taught in the Lotus Sutra is the most obvious doctrinal precedent for Mr. Goldstein's basic idea. In spite of the Lotus Sutra's apocalyptic message, many Dharmas continue to flourish down to the present era. So assuming the Lotus Sutra's principle of "One Vehicle" is coherent, and that Goldstein's "One Dharma" is a reiteration thereof, the real message here is not that there is--or will be-- just "One Dharma" in an historical or doctrinal sense, but rather, that all Buddha-Dharmas have, in the final analysis, a single savor and a single intention. If this is Goldstein's point, I agree wholeheartedly. Even so, I wonder why he would suggest that "One Dharma" is a special feature of the "emerging Western Buddhism". How is Western Buddhism so special if all Buddha-Dharmas have always been been "One" -- that is to say, grounded in the same basic principles? In this sense, Western Buddhism is nothing special. It is the same old Dharma expressed in a new language, with a new set of metaphors and rationales. It is no more or less "One Dharma" than any previous era of Buddhism. For these reasons I think the book's title and ostensible message of "One Dharma" emerging in the West are much ado about nothing. Granted, the different traditions are interacting with each other here and yes, it is generally a positive thing for Western Buddhists to supplement their main studies and practices with forays into other traditions and other ways of contemplating the teachings. But for reasons already stated, I think it would have been more honest to title the book "One Thread" -- since there certainly is a single thread of definitive truth running through the various teachings and traditions of Buddha-Dharma. If "One Dharma" is supposed to be a special feature of the historical evolution of Buddhism in the West -- and not of the Dharma generally -- Goldstein has spoken a bit hastily. It is too soon to say that there is only "One Dharma" in Western Buddhism, unless that "One" is the same as the "One Vehicle" of Asian Buddhism. If "One Dharma" is not just a statement about the unique, holistic intent of all the Buddha's teachings, but an observation of what Western Buddhism is or should become, then some kind of personal ideology, or an assumption about what makes Western Buddhism "special", would seem to have reared its unruly head.
Rating: 
Summary: One dharma - not emerging in this book
Review: Reading the book one wonders if Joseph Goldstein has read his own introduction. He tells us a very nice story how a Korean Zen monch and a Tibetan Lama misunderstand each other. So obviously there is a problem with buddhists from different traditions understanding each other. More than a thousand years of different development of Zen and Tibetan buddhism have made it difficult to define the one dharma that unites them both. And there are other schools. Now how does western Buddhism comes in? Can it perhaps help to define this one buddha dharma? Or is it perhaps inventing something new? Very interesting questions, but no answer will be found in this book. It reads much more like a traditional introduction into buddhism written by a western teacher with some emphasis on Theravada. Nothing wrong with it, I liked to read the book, but the title just does not fit. The books of Lama Surya Das are clearly superior in approaching the question of an emerging western buddhism. And hard to beat.
Rating:
Summary: One Dharma, Two Dharma, Red Dharma, Blue Dharma
Review: Suppose you are a teacher of Buddhism in a place (such as the United States) where there are many forms of Buddhism being taught. Your students may have "shopped around" and could be asking, for any particular subject you might present, why such and such other form of Buddhism says something else on the subject. There might even be a contradiction. What do you say to the students, that the other form is wrong? that they should not think about it right now and learn in just the context you are presenting? Suppose you are a student of Buddhism. You have been to several, even many, teachers of different schools of Buddhism. Some of what they say seems to be common, some even opposite. Even some of what is common is presented in such a different way it is difficult to reconcile the two teachings. Will you become a student of comparative religion? Will you give up on Buddhism, which might seem to be only nominally Buddhism but actually very different teachings each using the label "Buddhist"? These seem to be the kind of issues Joseph Goldstein is addressing in "One Dharma". It is an appeal to recognize: 1) what is common within Buddhism (and that as very important)
2) not a tolerance but an appreciation for different ways of expressing the teachings.
3) an acceptance of philosophies that conflict so long as their associated practices work.
Rating:
Summary: A practical, enlightening book that is a pleasure to read.
Review: The one objection I have to any teaching of a spiritual nature is the presence of exclusivity: "mine is the right way, yours is wrong," or even "mine is the best way, yours is not as good." One Dharma has nothing to do with exclusion. It is all about how an inclusive approach can strengthen spiritual practice. Joseph Goldstein's focus is Buddhism, but the lessons are universal. This book will benefit anyone interested in practical guidance for a spiritual practice in the real world. - Thom Rutledge, author of Embracing Fear
Rating:
Summary: Insightful and Provoking
Review: This is actually one of my favorite books written by Joesph Goldstein. This book is about "blending together" the traditions of the East, and "sprouting forth" this new seed in the West. He pours over such conecpts, well for instance: say we have 3 teachers from 3 traditions saying 3 seemingly contradictory things. We can deduct that one is right, and two are wrong; or that all 3 are wrong. Or we can acknowledge that perhaps all 3 have already gone BEYOND that realm of right and wrong. Basically, every street takes you somewhere- does this mean the roads are contradicting eachother? Not at all, they simply go somewhere. So relax in life. We in America are in my opinion lucky there is a Joseph-this book is for beginners and adepts alike. And it is of really no significance what tradition or sector of Buddhism you yourself hail from, this book transmigrates those lines. I believe that you will enjoy this book.
Rating:
Summary: A very well intentioned book
Review: This is pretty silly stuff. It's like someone who suddenly discovers sliced bread and you wonder if they have ever been to a supermarket. There is an emerging, indigenous American (or western, or modern) buddhism forming in the world today. It has been developing for at least the last 25 to 30 years, but the idea that it is going to be One Dharma is naïve. There are many good, true and beneficial things said in this book but they have been around for about 2,500 years. Mr. Goldstein says the One Dharma will consist of mindfulness, compassion and wisdom. This is a great idea and is what is traditionally known as the three yana approach.
The author of this work is a genuine, diligent, and sincere practitioner of buddhadharma and he has my respect and admiration for that. He seems to have had his mind blown by dzogchen and then exerted a tremendous effort to put conceptual mind back together again. This book is the result. Joseph, the red hot iron ball stuck in your throat that makes it impossible to grasp either concept, do you remember, in the Heart Sutra, what gave the Arahats heart attacks.
Rating:
Summary: At the Heart of Practice
Review: To respect and understand this book, one needs to understand something of the author. Since the 1960's Joseph Goldstein has been practicing Buddhist meditation. His goal with the Dharma is alleviate suffering in himself and in others. He does not believe he will write the seminal book on Buddhist theory or the perfect koan or answer everyone's questions about the Dharma. However, if you are a serious seeker and are attempting to understand something about this wonderful phenomenon Buddhism, which is growing so rapidly in the United States, this book will help you a lot. It is a beginner book. Yet, it is also a book which will give long time practioners a chance to reflect about the meaning of their practice and the nature of the Dharma. Over ten years ago, I, suffering from a deeply painful and debilitating bone disease, came to Joseph to find a way to live with severe physical pain. Joseph helped me with compassion, with joy, and with humility. He will always remain my core teacher. Reading the other reviews, I can say, you will get what you look for. If you are look for scintillating Zen wit, try Genpo Merzel Roshi (a living zen master), for philosophical wisdom, try Trungpa Rinpoche. If you are looking for a teacher who will give you a framework from which to work while you sit on the pillow, you can not do better than Joseph Goldstein. Good luck, and, please, persevere. The world needs the merit of your meditation practice.
Rating:
Summary: At the Heart of Practice
Review: To respect and understand this book, one needs to understand something of the author. Since the 1960's Joseph Goldstein has been practicing Buddhist meditation. His goal with the Dharma is alleviate suffering in himself and in others. He does not believe he will write the seminal book on Buddhist theory or the perfect koan or answer everyone's questions about the Dharma. However, if you are a serious seeker and are attempting to understand something about this wonderful phenomenon Buddhism, which is growing so rapidly in the United States, this book will help you a lot. It is a beginner book. Yet, it is also a book which will give long time practioners a chance to reflect about the meaning of their practice and the nature of the Dharma. Over ten years ago, I, suffering from a deeply painful and debilitating bone disease, came to Joseph to find a way to live with severe physical pain. Joseph helped me with compassion, with joy, and with humility. He will always remain my core teacher. Reading the other reviews, I can say, you will get what you look for. If you are look for scintillating Zen wit, try Genpo Merzel Roshi (a living zen master), for philosophical wisdom, try Trungpa Rinpoche. If you are looking for a teacher who will give you a framework from which to work while you sit on the pillow, you can not do better than Joseph Goldstein. Good luck, and, please, persevere. The world needs the merit of your meditation practice.
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