A new book by Penn State Abington professor C. Pierce Salguero, "Buddhish: A Guide to the 20 Most Important Buddhist Ideas for the Curious and the Skeptical," offers an engaging, accessible introduction to Buddhism for readers looking to explore a new spiritual tradition or understand the roots of their mindfulness practice.
Salguero, associate professor of Asian history and religious studies, said the book is for those who are curious about Buddhism as opposed to his previous publications, which were scholarly texts.
"It’s for people who are not necessarily lining up to go to mindfulness classes but feel there might be some value and who want to see what the tradition entails. Others might want some background information. It’s a broader overview of Buddhism, the whole tradition in a more objective, balanced way,” he said. "One of the goals of the book is to introduce scholarly research in an accessible way."
The term Buddhish is Salguero’s own creation.
“I’m trying to capture my own lifelong relationship with Buddhism. I’ve been Buddhist-adjacent as a fan and critic and scholar of this tradition my whole adult life,” he said.
Salguero, who spent about 18 months writing "Buddhish," shares anecdotes from his time at a Thai monastery and from the years he spent living throughout Asia as well as other personal experiences that have shaped his study of Buddhism.
“In some respects, this is the product of 25 years of investigations and reading about Buddhism,” he said.
Salguero, who has been teaching an introductory course in Buddhism at Abington for more than a decade, decided to write an elementary text on the practice after finding teaching materials lacking.
"The existing texts were too dry, too impersonal, difficult to read, and way too expensive. I wanted to write an introduction to Buddhism that would be readable, personable, excitable, and affordable. ," he said.
“I’m piloting 'Buddhish' this semester in PDF form. It’s working really well, and I will be using it in the future,” he said.