What Makes You Not a Buddhist

An innovative meditation master cuts through common misconceptions about Buddhism, revealing what it truly means to walk the path of the Buddha

So you think you’re a Buddhist? Think again. Tibetan Buddhist master Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse, one of the most creative and innovative lamas teaching today, throws down the gauntlet to the Buddhist world, challenging common misconceptions, stereotypes, and fantasies. With humor and irony, Dzongsar Khyentse urges readers to move beyond the superficial trappings of Buddhism—beyond the romance with beads, incense, or exotic robes—straight to the heart of what the Buddha taught.


Packed with new material, this second edition of Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse’s classic now features an incisive critique of contemporary Western approaches to Buddhism that lead to some fundamental misunderstandings, paired with a heartfelt encouragement of the power of the teachings to transform us if we approach them with the right intention and view. This edition also includes an all-new discussion of what does make you a Buddhist as well as updated material throughout.