Buddha's Apprentices: more voices of young Buddhists

Sumi Loundon's Blue Jean Buddha was hailed by the New York Times Review of Books as "a bellwether anthology"—mapping the spiritual trails followed by a generation of American Buddhist youths. The Buddha's Apprentices examines that territory in fuller detail, telling twenty-six more stories of this powerful spiritual path, including the stories of many teenagers. The book shows us the challenges that spiritually hungry young adults of today might face, with a focus on the identity issues around personality, profession, and lifestyle that are so typical. Also included are several affirming essays from prominent older Buddhists, recalling their first encounters with Buddhism.

The Buddha's Apprentices examines the tectonic shifts that young , spiritually-inclined people undergo as they leave home, search for partners, consider commitment and marriage, and build their lives. Furthermore, they tell of how Buddhism changes and enhances their abilities to face life's difficulties. Sumi Loundon's typically rich and youthful commentary lets us appreciate each contributor's individual voice, and helps us to see how they contribute to the always-evolving chorus of modern Buddhism. The Buddha's Apprentices can be considered a sequel to Sumi Loundon's 'Blue Jean Buddha', but goes even beyond that work by giving extra attention to teens and young adults, and including pieces from Thich Nhat Hanh, Lama Surya Das, and a truly diverse array of younger author/contributors.

PRAISE
"A powerful and profound collection, alive with the voices of young Buddhists, whose sincere and honest personal stories deepen our understanding of the common life experiences we all share. I'd cut class to read this book!"
—Matthew Bortolin, author of The Dharma of Star Wars

"Always insightful, sometimes sweet, and occasionally startling, these simply-told tales of being young and Buddhist, whether in a fundamentalist Christian, secular, traditionally Asian, or hip, Sixties-style family, are timely reminders that the dharma continues to thrive, even if Buddhism is not in the media spotlight today as it was during the 1990s. Loundon here provides the reader with a rich trans-generational look at Buddhism and youth. Opening with first-person accounts of the meaning Buddhist practice for contemporary teens, it then moves onto the edgier experiences of twenty and thirty somethings. It concludes with fond reminiscences by some of today's senior leaders and teachers—Norman Fisher, Surya Das, Venerable Yifa, and Thich Nhat Hanh among others—about their own youthful search for meaning and their eventual discovery of the dharma. This is an engaging book that ought to be of interest to general readers, practitioners, and scholars with an interest in American Buddhism."
—Richard Hughes Seager, author of Buddhism in America and Encountering the Dharma: Daisaku Ikeda, Sokka Gakai, and the Globalization of Buddhist Humanism

"There's something profound and beautiful in every chapter."
—Franz Metcalf, author of Buddha in Your Backpack

"The Buddha's Apprentice is a stellar follow up to Sumi's first collection, Blue Jean Buddha. In this book she broadens the perspective of dharma practitioners in the west, diversifies the voices and shines light upon the important issues of age, race, and tradition. Reading this book is like having conversations with and hearing the stories of your friends, children, teachers and peers. A great introduction for newcomers to buddhism and an inspiration to practitioners from all schools of Buddha Dharma."
—Noah Levine, author of Dharma Punx and Against the Stream

"The final criterion for judging the greatness of any religion or philosophy is the positive impact it has had on the lives and behavior of those who adhere to it. Nothing is more precious than pursuing the bodhisattva way, taking action for the sake of the people and human society. It is my prayer that many young people will be inspired to live out their valuable existences with wisdom, courage and compassion through the personal stories told in this book."
—Daisaku Ikeda, President, Soka Gakkai International

"The Dharma comes to life in these stories. It is truly wonderful to read how young people come to discover the Buddha Path in, through, and around their daily lives. Not only are they interesting, these stories also resonate with our own."
—Master Sheng Yen, founder and president of the Institute of Chung-Hwa Buddhist Culture, resident teacher at the Ch'an Meditation Center, and author of Illuminating Silence, and There is No Suffering

"It is a pleasure to listen to these voices. They point to the future of Buddhadharma in the West."
—Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart

"Awesome in the beginning, awesome in the middle, and awesome in the end. Forget Chicken Soup for the whatever Soul, The Buddha's Apprentice is a four-course meal of spiritual food. Whether you are new to Buddhism or have read an assortment of books on the subject, The Buddha's Apprentice has something for everyone. Crisp, clear, honest writing reveals how these young adults (and a few elders) are living the teachings in our modern world — in high schools, colleges, and monasteries, through relating with parents, teachers, and friends. The book does an excellent job of showing more than telling the power and challenges of the path. If you are in the high school or college-age population and are looking to live your life with deeper wisdom, this book is for you."
—Soren Gordhamer, author of Just Say Om!

"Well-written and fascinating. It is inspiring to see how young people put the dharma into practice in all aspects of their lives."
—Martine Batchelor, author of Thorsons Principles of Zen and Meditation for Life

"Don't think of this book as merely a sociology of young western Buddhism. These riveting stories are timeless classics, with authentic voices of "beginner's mind" shared by every genuine practitioner. You won't be able to put it down."
—Judith Simmer-Brown, Naropa University professor and author, Dakini's Warm Breath: The Feminine Principle in Tibetan Buddhism