Rational Buddhism for Beginners. This book is intended for beginning meditators and students, and for use by instructors during Buddhist retreats for beginners. It contains thirty lessons that lead progressively through the ancient and basic tenets of Buddhism and include instructions in compassion, virtue/morality, history and meditation. Instructors are free to copy the worksheets for student practice. The book is full of quotes with minimal commentary, and includes scholarly references, with a glossary and bibliography. This is a useful reference book that can also be used for "do it yourself" study and inspiration. The book has been used and refined from actual study group experience. The author is an experienced, certified secondary teacher, and incorporates best practices of lesson planning as a format for the text of each chapter. Since it derives from the needs and questions of new students, it is easy to access by and is relevant for beginners.


Buddhist Sutras: Lesson Book Introduction to Rational Buddhism, Irv Jacob, AuthorHouse, Paperback, 543 pages, $29.95

Irv Jacob is a long time student of Buddhism (not a monk, lama or guru) and maintains a "rational" practice. He has traveled extensively to countries (for tourism and retreats) where Buddhism is a way of life. Jacob compiled this text for his own use initially, then used it and revised it in study group settings; he relies on many authors and experts for extensive quotes and "peer review". He has written three other books on Buddhism that follow the progress of his own studies. This was his first. He received a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Oregon in 1970, a Master of Agriculture from Oregon State University in 1974, Retired from the USAF Reserves as a Lt. Col. 1991, and received his teaching certificate (secondary) in 2002 as a second career choice.