The Accidental Buddhist
by Dinty W. Moore
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This is a fun book, and I've read it a couple of times. It explores the state of Buddhism in America today, following the author as he travels around America visiting and talking to various Buddhist groups. He visits a Zen monastery, a Catholic priest who teaches Buddhism, Buddhist magazine publishers, Tibetan freedom advocates, zafu makers, and even an interview with the Dalai Lama himself.
What are the problems and joys of being a Buddhist in America? And what will the neighbors think? Buddhism evolved in the East, and the East evolved around Buddhism, but that's not the case in America. It's not a perfect fit, and there are many dilemmas and problems that the author humorously notes.
Although the book is not really a "what is Buddhism" book, you'll glean a lot of insight into all things Buddhistic in this one. I would definitely call it appropriate for any beginning-level Buddhist, and anyone who has been reading the Daily Buddhism for any length of time should have no problem at all with any of the terminology.
The book is filled with humor; the author has some of the best (and funniest) quotes about “monkey mind” that I've ever come across. But the book also has a serious undertone to it. Why would the Dalai Lama suggest that maybe Americans shouldn't become Buddhists? How can monks in America support themselves?
And will that monkey ever shut up?
Again, this is not a "How to" book, but I strongly recommend it.
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