Buddhism for Busy People
In this simple and accessible but beautifully written book, David Michie opens the door to the core teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, and shows us how he himself first began incorporating Buddhist practices into his daily life. What does it take to be happy? We've all asked ourselves this question at some point, but few of us have found the path to lasting fulfillment. David Michie thought he had achieved his life's goals--the high-level job, the expensive city apartment, the luxury car, the great vacations--but a small voice was telling him he wasn't really happy. A chance remark from a naturopath sent him to his local Buddhist center. There he began the most important journey of his life. In Buddhism for Busy People Michie explains how he came to understand the difference between the temporary pleasures of ordinary life and the profound sense of well-being and heartfelt serenity that comes from connecting with our inner nature.
Under the Bodhi Tree
A renowned Buddhist master digs into the idea of interdependency--the very core of the Buddha's teachings. Under the Bodhi Tree takes us back to the principles at the heart of Buddha's teachings--conditionality and dependent co-arising. Ajahn Buddhadasa Bhikkhu makes the case for dependent co-arising as a natural law, and builds a compelling presentation from there of Buddhist philosophy, meditation, and practice. Basing himself squarely on the Buddha's own words as preserved in the Pali Canon, he brings clarity and simplicity to what is typically a thorny philosophical knot. By returning dependent co-arising to its central place in Buddhist theory and practice, Ajahn Buddhadasa provides perspective on the Buddha's own insights and awakening. Under the Bodhi Tree is another excellent entry from one of the most renowned Buddhist thinkers of modern times. For students who wish to study further, a companion guide is available from liberationpark.org.
Loving-kindness in Plain English
The bestselling author of Mindfulness in Plain English invites us to explore the joyful benefits of living with loving-kindness. With his signature clarity and warmth, Bhante Gunaratana shares with us how we can cultivate loving-kindness to live a life of joyful harmony with others. Through personal anecdotes, step-by-step meditations, conversational renderings of the Buddha's words in the suttas, and transformative insights into how we live in and relate to the world, we learn that peace here and now is possible--within ourselves and in all our relationships. Bhante G speaks directly to how we can cultivate loving-kindness to find emotional clarity, overcome anger, and become more peaceful--both on and off the meditation cushion. Loving-Kindness in Plain English was chosen for the Spirituality & Practice Book Award as one of the 50 Best Spiritual Books of 2017 by the website Spirituality & Practice.
Borobudur
With vivid photography and insightful commentary, this travel pictorial shines a light on the Buddhist art and architecture of Borobudur. The glorious ninth-century Buddhist stupa of Borobudur--the largest Buddhist monument in the world--stands in the midst of the lush Kedu Plain of Central Java in Indonesia, where it is visited annually by over a million people. Borobudur contains more than a thousand exquisitely carved relief panels extending along its many terraces for a total distance of more than a kilometer. These are arranged so as to take the visitor on a spiritual journey to enlightenment, and one ascends the monument past scenes depicting the world of desire, the life story of Buddha, and the heroic deeds of other enlightened beings--finally arriving at the great circular terraces at the top of the structure that symbolizes the formless world of pure knowledge and perfection.
After Buddhism
A renowned Buddhist teacher's magnum opus, based on his fresh reading of the tradition's earliest texts Some twenty-five centuries after the Buddha started teaching, his message continues to inspire people across the globe, including those living in predominantly secular societies. What does it mean to adapt religious practices to secular contexts? Stephen Batchelor, an internationally known author and teacher, is committed to a secularized version of the Buddha's teachings. The time has come, he feels, to articulate a coherent ethical, contemplative, and philosophical vision of Buddhism for our age. After Buddhism, the culmination of four decades of study and practice in the Tibetan, Zen, and Theravada traditions, is his attempt to set the record straight about who the Buddha was and what he was trying to teach. Combining critical readings of the earliest canonical texts with narrative accounts of five members of the Buddha's inner circle, Batchelor depicts the Buddha as a pragmatic ethicist rather than a dogmatic metaphysician. He envisions Buddhism as a constantly evolving culture of awakening whose long survival is due to its capacity to reinvent itself and interact creatively with each society it encounters. This original and provocative book presents a new framework for understanding the remarkable spread of Buddhism in today's globalized world. It also reminds us of what was so startling about the Buddha's vision of human flourishing.
The Grass Flute Zen Master
What motivated Sodo-san to spend the last twenty years of his life in a "temple under the sky"-- a corner of a public park where he taught passersby what it means to be forever young through the funky tunes he played on his grass flute? In The Grass Flute Zen Master: Sodo Yokoyama, we are seeking not only a truer understanding of this well-loved monk, but of zazen, Zen meditation, itself. In his search for insights into Sodo Yokoyama's life, Arthur Braverman skillfully weaves a tapestry from seemingly disparate threads--the brief taisho period into which Sodo-san was born and where individualism shone; his teachers, both ancient and contemporary practitioners of Zen Bhuddism; the monk's love of baseball; and the similarities Braverman finds between Sodo-san and Walt Whitman, who both found the universal in nature. Through conversations with Joko Shibata, Yokoyama's sole disciple, and careful study of his teacher's poetry, an intriguing tension between the personal and the universal is revealed. The Grass Flute Zen Master is a meditative examination not of just one life, but of many. The lineage of teacher and protégé is traced back through generations, contemporaries are drawn up from unexpected places, and Braverman examines his own long journey in Zen Buddhism; confronting his own expectations and surprising disappointments (the monk lived in a boarding house and later took a cab to his park when he could no longer walk the whole way) and the understanding and acceptance that followed. "When you play the leaf," Sodo-san once wrote, "you'll usually be a little out of tune. That's where its very charm lies . . ."
Tantra in Tibet
His Holiness the Dalai Lama illuminates the highly practical and compassionate use of Tantra for spiritual development in this important classic work. This is the first book in a series presenting The Great Exposition of Secret Mantra. The other two books are Deity Yoga and Yoga Tantra. Tantra in Tibet consists of three parts published under the auspices of the Dalai Lama. "Essence of Tantra" by the Dalai Lama discusses tantra for practice, refuge, the three paths, greatness of mantra, clear light, and initiation. "The Great Exposition of Secret Mantra--Part 1" by Tsongkhapa is one of the principal classic texts on tantra. It presents the main features common to all the Buddhist tantra systems as well as the differences between sutra and tantra. In this volume Tsongkhapa covers paths to Buddhahood, vajra vehicle, deity yoga, and method in the four tantras. "Supplement" by Jeffrey Hopkins discusses the meaning of emptiness, transformation, and the purpose of the four tantras.
The Guru Drinks Bourbon?
An enlightening, accessible, and highly entertaining guide to the guru-disciple relationship, the heart of Tibetan Buddhism The humility and compassionate activity of the Dalai Lama is something many people can connect with, but how can one understand the stories about some other Buddhist teachers' unorthodox behavior? The centrality of and reliance on a guru is one of most misunderstood elements of Tibetan Buddhism--and one that is most often veiled in mystery. Because the guru can and will use whatever means it takes to wake us up, this relationship may require us to drop our most deeply held beliefs and expectations. Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse addresses some of the most misunderstood aspects of this powerful relationship and gives practical advice on making the most of this precious opportunity for transformation. Through stories and classical examples, he shows how to walk the path with eyes wide open, with critical-thinking skills sharpened and equipped to analyze the guru, before taking the leap.
A Celebration of Demons
The Sinhalese exorcism rituals are perhaps the most complex and the most magnificent in performance still extant. For this second edition, the author has written a new preface and introduction in which he argues that the techniques of healing in Sri Lanka cannot be reduced to Western psychoanalytic or psychotherapeutic terms.
The Miracle of Mindfulness
A new gift edition of the classic guide to meditation and mindfulness, featuring archival photography and beautiful calligraphy by Thich Nhat Hanh One of the best available introductions to the wisdom and beauty of meditation practice. --New Age Journal In this eloquent and lucid guide, Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh offers gentle anecdotes and practical exercise as a means for learning the skills of mindfulness. From washing dishes and answering the phone to peeling an orange, he reminds us that each moment holds within it an opportunity to work toward greater self-understanding and peacefulness. Thich Nhat Hanh's powerful insights and teachings have been cherished by generations of readers seeking to learn about mindfulness and stress reduction. As the world we live in grows all the more overwhelming, The Miracle of Mindfulness remains an effective antidote to the accelerated speed and intense expectations of our lives. This gift edition features Thich Nhat Hanh's inspiring calligraphy, photographs from his travels around the world, and a revised afterword.
The Road Home
In this wise and witty invitation to Buddhist meditation, Ethan Nichtern, a senior teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition, investigates the journey each of us takes to find where we belong. Drawing from contemporary research on meditation and mindfulness and from his experience as a teacher and practitioner of Buddhism, Nichtern describes in fresh language the basic existential experience that gives rise to spiritual seeking--and its potentially dangerous counterpart, spiritual materialism. He explains exactly how, by turning our awareness to what's happening around us and inside us, we become able to enhance our sense of connection with others and, at the same time, change for the better our individual and collective patterns of greed, apathy, and inattention. The Road Home shows us that, in order to create a truly compassionate and enlightened society, we must start with ourselves. And this means working with our own mind--in whatever state we find it.
Dream Yoga
Lucid dreaming--waking up and becoming fully conscious in your dreams--has intrigued legions of those seeking to explore their vast inner worlds. Yet for many, "getting lucid" for the first time can be elusive. And for those who have, there are few resources that show us how to use this extraordinary state for the greater goal of awakening to all of reality, day or night. With Dream Yoga, Andrew Holecek brings us a practical guide for meditators, seasoned dream travelers wanting to go deeper, and total beginners eager to experience lucidity for the first time. Here, you'll join this expert teacher of dream work and meditation to learn: How to awaken in your dreams naturally by using modern scientific principles with the insights and practices of Tibetan dream and sleep yoga- Proven guidance to overcome common obstacles, enhance dream recall, focus and amplify awareness while dreaming, work with nightmares safely, resolve emotional blockages, and glean wisdom from your dreams- A wealth of practices and tips that have helped thousands enjoy successful dream-time exploration- Essential Buddhist teachings and tools for navigating the many realms of sleep (dreaming is just one of them)- Direct insights into the continuation of consciousness beyond the physical body and death- How to bring your skills together to engage with the hundreds of thousands of dream opportunities that most of us forget or dismiss Have you ever wondered what happens when you sleep and dream? Desired to wake up in your dreams and have the time of your life? Or wanted to use your sleep hours to fully explore these dimensions, heal, and evolve? Dream Yoga answers these questions--not academically but directly--by showing you how to access this profound universe for yourself.
When Things Fall Apart
Pema Ch繹dr繹n's perennially best-selling classic on overcoming life's difficulties cuts to the heart of spirituality and personal growth--now in a newly designed 20th-anniversary edition with a new afterword by Pema--makes for a perfect gift and addition to one's spiritual library. How can we live our lives when everything seems to fall apart--when we are continually overcome by fear, anxiety, and pain? The answer, Pema Ch繹dr繹n suggests, might be just the opposite of what you expect. Here, in her most beloved and acclaimed work, Pema shows that moving toward painful situations and becoming intimate with them can open up our hearts in ways we never before imagined. Drawing from traditional Buddhist wisdom, she offers life-changing tools for transforming suffering and negative patterns into habitual ease and boundless joy.
The History of the Sixteen Karmapas of Tibet
The Karmapa is the spiritual leader of the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The present Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, is the sixteenth of the line which began with Dusum Khyenpa, the first Karmapa, in the twelfth century. Karma Thinley presents the biographies of all of the Karmapas, based on his translations from numerous Tibetan sources. These biographies are not only histories of the training and teaching of these great teachers; they are also inspirational texts used to cultivate devotion in the practitioner. Accompanying the text are sixteen line drawings, based on the thangka paintings of the Karmapas at Rumtek monastery, the seat of the present Karmapa.
When Awareness Becomes Natural
A funny and engaging guide to finding awareness in daily activities beyond sitting meditation--from a rising leader in the Insight Meditation community Meditation is great, but it's not what Buddhist practice is all about. Deep insight and liberation from suffering can be found in any ordinary activity--from sorting the laundry to data entry--as long as we approach them with the necessary awareness. Such is the teaching of Buddhist monk Sayadaw U Tejaniya, who himself learned to cultivate awareness in the raucous years he spent in the Burmese textile business before taking his final monastic ordination at the age of thirty-six. In this refreshingly modern guide, Sayadaw U Tejaniya teaches us how to bring awareness to all activities. By training ourselves to be aware of the clinging and aversion that arise in any situation, calm and deep insight will naturally follow. "The object of attention is not really important," he teaches, but "the observing mind that is working in the background. If the observing is done with the right attitude, any object is the right object." The flame of wisdom can be kindled in the midst of any life, even one that might seem too full of personal and professional commitments to allow for it.
Lust for Enlightenment
Over the centuries, Buddhism has responded to sexuality in a variety of fascinating ways, sometimes suppressing the sexual urge, sometimes sublimating it, sometimes cultivating it, and, on the highest levels, transcending it. This book reveals how Buddhists, beginning with Buddha himself, relate to the "inner fire" that drives humankind. Included are chapters on the Buddha's love life before his enlightenment, and his later relationships with women; the tantric approach to sex among Buddhists of ancient India, Tibet, China, and Japan; Zen in the art of love, and a positive discussion of women and Buddhism.
Five Houses of Zen
For all its emphasis on the direct experience on insight without reliance on the products of the intellect, the Zen tradition has created a huge body of writings. Of this cast literature, the writings associated with the so-called Five Houses of Zen are widely considered to be preeminent. These Five Houses--which arose in China during the ninth and tenth centuries, often referred to as the Golden Age of Zen--were not schools or sects but styles of Zen teaching represented by some of the most outstanding masters in Zen history. The writing of these great Zen teachers are presented here, many translated for the first time.
The Heart Sutra
An illuminating in-depth study of one of the most well-known and recited Buddhist texts, by a renowned modern translator The Prajna Paramita Hridaya Sutra is among the best known of all the Buddhist scriptures. Chanted daily by many Zen practitioners, it is also studied extensively in the Tibetan tradition, and it has been regarded with interest more recently in the West in various fields of study--from philosophy to quantum physics. In just a few lines, it expresses the truth of impermanence and the release of suffering that results from the understanding of that truth with a breathtaking economy of language. Kazuaki Tanahashi's guide to the Heart Sutra is the result of a life spent working with it and living it. He outlines the history and meaning of the text and then analyzes it line by line in its various forms (Sanskrit, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Tibetan, Mongolian, and various key English translations), providing a deeper understanding of the history and etymology of the elusive words than is generally available to the non-specialist--yet with a clear emphasis on the relevance of the text to practice. This book includes a fresh and meticulous new translation of the text by the author and Roshi Joan Halifax.
Mindfulness
The mind contains the seeds of its own awakening--seeds that we can cultivate to bring forth the fruits of a life lived consciously. With Mindfulness, Joseph Goldstein shares the wisdom of his four decades of teaching and practice in a book that will serve as a lifelong companion for anyone committed to mindful living and the realization of inner freedom. Goldstein's source teaching is the Satipa hana Sutta, the Buddha's legendary discourse on the four foundations of mindfulness that became the basis for the many types of Vipassana (or insight meditation) found today. Exquisite in detail yet wholly accessible and relevant for the modern student, Mindfulness takes us through a profound study of: - Mindfulness of body, including the breath, postures, activities, and physical characteristics- Mindfulness of feelings--how the experience of our sense perceptions influences our inner and outer worlds- Mindfulness of mind--learning to recognize skillful and unskillful states of mind and thought- Mindfulness of dhammas (or categories of experience), including the Five Hindrances, the Six Sense Spheres, and the Seven Factors of Awakening "There is a wealth of meaning and nuance in the experience of mindfulness that can enrich our lives in unimagined ways," writes Goldstein. In Mindfulness you have the tools to mine these riches for yourself.
Nurturing Compassion
GROUND-BREAKING TRIP, GROUND-BREAKING TEACHINGS "Actually, you are the Buddha. Not such an effective buddha, perhaps, but... a buddha, a small Buddha... We need to nurture our inner Buddha, our child Buddha." - The 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje In this series of teachings given during his first-ever visit to Europe, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, provided a stunning demonstration of what it means to live and teach with an open heart. The Karmapa shared his own life experiences and the feelings they awakened in him, reflecting on his own process of finding meaning in life. Even though he was addressing massive audiences in convention centres, the youthful Buddhist leader spoke as if conversing with close friends. The result is heart-based and comes direct with the freshness of experience. The teachings contained in this book issue a clarion call, urging us each to find the meaning of our own life as we take up the responsibility for the world we all live in. To do so, the Karmapa assures us, we need only nurture the seeds of compassion that we all have within us.
Process of Consciousness and Matter
Intended for all serious students of the Abhidhamma, this book compliments other texts on the subject and explains the important aspects of consciousness and matter in a detailed manner. As a whole, the teachings of Abhidamma aid in looking within and around the self in order to obtain a life without boundaries or suffering. Digging deeper into the psychological nature of Abhidhamma, the text breaks down the various types of thought and energy. The chapters include: "Consciousness and Its Factors," "Process of Consciousness," "Mind-Door Cognitive Process," "Absorption Javana in the Mind-Door Process," and "Process of Matter."
No Mud, No Lotus
The secret to happiness is to acknowledge and transform suffering, not to run away from it. Here, Thich Nhat Hanh offers practices and inspiration transforming suffering and finding true joy. Thich Nhat Hanh acknowledges that because suffering can feel so bad, we try to run away from it or cover it up by consuming. We find something to eat or turn on the television. But unless we're able to face our suffering, we can't be present and available to life, and happiness will continue to elude us. Nhat Hanh shares how the practices of stopping, mindful breathing, and deep concentration can generate the energy of mindfulness within our daily lives. With that energy, we can embrace pain and calm it down, instantly bringing a measure of freedom and a clearer mind. No Mud, No Lotus introduces ways to be in touch with suffering without being overwhelmed by it. "When we know how to suffer," Nhat Hanh says, "we suffer much, much less." With his signature clarity and sense of joy, Thich Nhat Hanh helps us recognize the wonders inside us and around us that we tend to take for granted and teaches us the art of happiness.
Practicing Peace
Inspiring teachings on what each of us can do to promote peace from the inside out--now available in a pocket-sized paperback edition With war and violence flaring all over the world, many of us are left feeling vulnerable and utterly helpless. In this book Pema Ch繹dr繹n draws on Buddhist teachings to explore the origins of aggression, hatred, and war, explaining that they lie nowhere but within our own hearts and minds. She goes on to offer practical techniques any of us can use to work for peace in our own lives, at the level of our habits of thought and action. It's never too late, she tells us, to look within and discover a new way of living and transform not only our personal lives but our whole world. This is a pocket-sized reissue of Practicing Peace in Times of War.
Waking, Dreaming, Being
A renowned philosopher of the mind, also known for his groundbreaking work on Buddhism and cognitive science, Evan Thompson combines the latest neuroscience research on sleep, dreaming, and meditation with Indian and Western philosophy of mind, casting new light on the self and its relation to the brain.Thompson shows how the self is a changing process, not a static thing. When we are awake we identify with our body, but if we let our mind wander or daydream, we project a mentally imagined self into the remembered past or anticipated future. As we fall asleep, the impression of being a bounded self distinct from the world dissolves, but the self reappears in the dream state. If we have a lucid dream, we no longer identify only with the self within the dream. Our sense of self now includes our dreaming self, the "I" as dreamer. Finally, as we meditate--either in the waking state or in a lucid dream--we can observe whatever images or thoughts arise and how we tend to identify with them as "me." We can also experience sheer awareness itself, distinct from the changing contents that make up our image of the self.Contemplative traditions say that we can learn to let go of the self, so that when we die we can witness its dissolution with equanimity. Thompson weaves together neuroscience, philosophy, and personal narrative to depict these transformations, adding uncommon depth to life's profound questions. Contemplative experience comes to illuminate scientific findings, and scientific evidence enriches the vast knowledge acquired by contemplatives.
The Zen Teaching of Homeless Kodo
Abandon your treasured delusions and hit the road with one of the most important Zen masters of twentieth-century Japan. Eschewing the entrapments of vanity, power, and money, "Homeless" Kodo Sawaki Roshi refused to accept a permanent position as a temple abbot, despite repeated offers. Instead, he lived a traveling, "homeless" life, going from temple to temple, student to student, teaching and instructing and never allowing himself to stray from his chosen path. He is responsible for making Soto Zen available to the common people outside of monasteries. His teachings are short, sharp, and powerful. Always clear, often funny, and sometimes uncomfortably close to home, they jolt us into awakening. Kosho Uchiyama expands and explains his teacher's wisdom with his commentary. Trained in Western philosophy, he draws parallels between Zen teachings and the Bible, Descartes, and Pascal. Shohaku Okumura has also added his own commentary, grounding his teachers' power and sagacity for the contemporary, Western practitioner. Experience the timeless, practical wisdom of three generations of Zen masters.
The Analects
One of the most influential books in human history, in a revelatory new translation The book that the Chinese have returned to repeatedly for reflection, renewal, and validation of their own views, The Analects was compiled by the disciples of Confucius, China's earliest teacher and moral thinker, from his remarks and his conversations with rulers, political operators, and people he happened to meet. It laid the foundation of the Chinese idea of what is moral and what is politically viable, what is a good government and who has integrity. Featuring both the English and Chinese texts, this new translation, by one of the pre-eminent scholars of Confucius, draws on the most recent excavated manuscripts and centuries of scholarship to illuminate the historical context of Confucius' teachings, explaining who the many local figures referenced are, and navigating a rich tradition of commentaries. The result is a map of Confucian thought that brings us as close as possible to experiencing Confucius as his followers might have 2,500 years ago. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
Adventures with the Buddha
Many books on Buddhism will edify you, but will they entertain you? Here, finally, is a book that yields an understanding of Buddhism; not by its metaphysics or rituals but through real characters and true stories as dramatic as those in the most imaginative novel. Jeffery Paine has assembled the breathtaking adventures of nine Westerners who traveled in China, Tibet, and Japan, in Nepal and India, and in that new Buddhist frontier, America, chanced across Buddhism, and made it an integral part of their lives. Through vivid travel writing and gripping human tales, the reader is exposed not just to the theory of Buddhist philosophy and practice but also to what it looks like from the inside. From enchanting, now-lost kingdoms in Asia to the American workplace where a practitioner is profitably applying the dharma, Adventures with the Buddha is a tour de force across nations, generations, and, ultimately, spirituality.
The Art of Communicating
THE TIMELESS, LIFE-CHANGING BESTSELLER - Definitively discover the key to lasting relationships and happiness through mastering life's most important skill"Thich Nhat Hanh shows us the connection between personal, inner peace and peace on earth." --His Holiness the Dalai LamaCommunication eternally binds us, in relationships with lovers, friends, and family, at work, and in our everyday interactions. Yet many of us feel lonelier and more disconnected than ever. We struggle to convey our needs, establish boundaries, and best represent our true selves. What if a few simple, mindful changes to our communication styles can lead to the healthiest and most secure connections we've ever experienced?Now it can. In this precise, practical, and spiritual guide, Zen master, Buddhist monk, and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee, Thich Nhat Hanh journeys us on a lasting path forward--one that reveals how to listen mindfully and express yourself with conviction, confidence, and above all, compassion. With examples from Hanh's work with couples, families, and international conflicts, The Art of Communicating pushes us to ask the most critical questions, such as: - How can we listen with empathy and understanding?- How can we resolve conflict in a way that is mutually beneficial?- How can finally understanding and learning from our past help shape our future?- How can the "6 Mantras of Loving Speech" effectively transform the way we connect with others, and ourselves?The Art of Communicating helps us move beyond the perils and frustrations of misrepresentation and misunderstanding to learn the listening and speaking skills that will forever change how we experience and impact the world.
Adventures of the Mad Monk Ji Gong
Follow the brilliant and hilarious adventures of a mad Zen Buddhist monk who rose from humble beginnings to become one of China's greatest folk heroes! Ji Gong studied at the great Ling Yin monastery, an immense temple that still ranges up the steep hills above Hangzhou, near Shanghai. The Chan (Zen) Buddhist masters of the temple tried to instruct Ji Gong in the spartan practices of their sect, but the young monk, following in the footsteps of other great ne'er-do-wells, distinguished himself mainly by getting expelled. He left the monastery, became a wanderer with hardly a proper piece of clothing to wear, and achieved great renown--in seedy wine shops and drinking establishments! This could have been where Ji Gong's story ended. But his unorthodox style of Buddhism soon made him a hero for popular storytellers of the Song dynasty era. Audiences delighted in tales where the mad old monk ignored--or even mocked--authority, defied common sense, never neglected the wine, yet still managed to save the day. Ji Gong remains popular in China even today, where he regularly appears as the wise old drunken fool in movies and TV shows. In Adventures of the Mad Monk Ji Gong, you'll read how he has a rogue's knack for exposing the corrupt and criminal while still pursuing the twin delights of enlightenment and intoxication. This literary classic of a traveling martial arts master, fighting evil and righting wrongs, will entertain Western readers of all ages!
Turning Confusion into Clarity
Advice and encouragement from a leading spiritual teacher and popular author on how to approach the foundational practices of Tibetan Buddhism For anyone interested in Buddhist practice and philosophy, Turning Confusion into Clarity gives detailed instruction and friendly, inspiring advice for those eager to embark on the Tibetan Buddhist path. By offering guidance on how to approach the process and instruction on specific meditation and contemplation techniques, author and teacher Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche provides gentle yet thorough commentary, companionship, and inspiration for committing to the Vajrayana path.
The Four Noble Truths of Wealth
The way we think about wealth and livelihood affects our personal experience and our world dramatically. Yet we rarely contemplate the heart of prosperity, which may be why it feels like we are struggling personally and globally. The Four Noble Truths illuminate the foundation of a wealthy outlook, which makes economic life more workable and creates a better world at the same time. Layth Matthews is a Buddhist economist who thinks you can afford to cheer up right now! With humor and practical examples he will confirm your hunch that economic life is miserable, but not serious, and materialism is an endless detour from richness of all kinds. This book provides the essential DNA of a joyful working life, sustainable sales motivation, sustainable business strategy, sustainable economics, and mindful leadership. Outlook is everything from the Buddhist point of view, and a healthy outlook begins with recognizing where we find ourselves as the worthy foundation for going forward. In fact, it is the only way to make a sustainable change in your world. The question is not, "How did I get here?" or "How can I get out of here?" The question is "What can I appreciate?", "How can I see more?" and "What is the natural next step when I stop mentally struggling and strategizing so much and take in more of the view?"
Fearless in Tibet
Tert繹n Sogyal was a 19th century visionary saint whose mastery of meditation led him to become the revered teacher to the 13th Dalai Lama. Known for his deep spiritual insights and service to the nation of Tibet, Tert繹n Sogyal's ability to harness the power of the mind was born of his own profound understanding of the Buddha's teachings while engaging in the world. Tert繹n Sogyal's life of striving for perfection against great odds is an example of courageous diligence appreciated by spiritual practitioners of all traditions. And his practical instructions on meditation and opening one's heart in devotion are as relevant today as they were during his lifetime. In Fearless in Tibet, Matteo Pistono shares Tert繹n Sogyal's essential teachings and life story; from the challenges Tert繹n Sogyal faced during his early yogic training, to exploring the mystic's inner world of visions and spiritual revelations, to how he worked to bring peace and harmony in Tibet and China. Fearless in Tibet is a journey where the readers will gain their own insight for today's challenges: transforming negativity into opportunity magnetizing auspiciousness by letting go of attachments resting in awareness of the present moment enriching life by embracing impermanence finding refuge in meditation recognizing the awakened state is already present within Combining riveting storytelling with Tert繹n Sogyal's profound spiritual instructions, Fearless in Tibet will infuse the reader's spiritual path with wisdom and inspiration, as if the mystical yogi himself were present.
Welcoming Flowers from Across the Cleansed Threshold of Hope
Welcoming Flowers is a pointed critique of the Buddhism chapter of Pope John Paul II's 1994 best seller, Crossing the Threshold of Hope, written by the highly respected Buddhist teacher Thinley Norbu. In responding to the false charges of Buddhists' indifference to the world and rejection of reality, Norbu clarifies the Buddhist doctrines of detachment and enlightenment. In addition, he covers the topics of good and evil, human nature, karma, cosmology, and dualistic mind, bringing them into conversation with the Christian perspective as presented by the Pope. Norbu's approach is not to shoot back arrows in attack of Catholicism but to spread "welcoming flowers"--that is, to present the exalted teachings of the Buddha in all their loveliness and truth. In this sense, the book serves as a helpful introduction to the Buddhist worldview.
Bunny Buddhism
The cuteness of bunnies meets the wisdom of Buddhism in this irresistible, inspirational guide, based on a popular Twitter feed of the same name. Whether you're a fan of cute bunnies or a devotee of the comforting wisdom of Buddhist thought (or both), this delightful and deceptively simple book will offer insights, surprises, and joy. Based on a popular Twitter feed these heartfelt observations have attracted a loyal following. A bunny who is happy and peaceful brings joy wherever he hops. What the bunny mind dwells on, the bunny becomes. Simple things can be extraordinary to the bunny who chooses to see them. One must hop carefully, for every hop has the potential to cause pain. The wise bunny knows the carrot will not hop to him. The wise bunny hops even when the way is unclear. With 500 inspiring entries and 40 adorable illustrations, the book will be a gift, a touchstone, and a gentle guide to hopping along the wise path of life.
Fear
End the constant cycle of stress and anxiety, stop worrying about the future, and start thriving in the present--A moving guide to a more mindful life from bestselling author Thich Nhat HanhMost of us live in a constant state of fear--of failure, of our past, of illness and aging, of losing the things we treasure most, and of never discovering our most authentic self. But it doesn't have to be this way, promises renowned Zen master and Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh. Drawing on a lifetime of mindfulness in action, Hanh shows us how to use the practice of living in the present to acknowledge and embrace our fears, recognize their origins, and render them powerless.By offering mantras, meditations, breathing exercises, and ancient wisdom, Fear guides us through practical exercises for: - Transforming crippling uncertainty into clarity- Acknowledging and harnessing emotions while relinquishing their control- Communicating with compassion and understanding- Utilizing the immense power of community during times of struggle and hardship- Trusting the spiritual process and reconnecting with our internal guiding lightThe worries of the past and the anxiety of the future disappear as we discover the power of the present moment. Restore balance, find lasting happiness, and take control of your own journey by live freely and fearlessly.
Introduction to Tantra
New edition of this perennial classic. "The best introductory work on Tibetan Buddhist tantra available today."--Janet Gyatso, Harvard University What is tantra? Who is qualified to practice it? How should it be practiced? What are the results? According to Buddhism, every human being has the potential to achieve profound and lasting happiness. And according to the tantric teachings of Buddhism, this remarkable transformation can be realized very quickly if we utilize all aspects of our human energy----especially the energy of our desires. Introduction to Tantra is the best available clarification of a subject that is often misunderstood. Tantra recognizes that the powerful energy aroused by our desire is an indispensable resource for the spiritual path. It is precisely because our lives are so inseparably linked with desire that we must make use of desire's tremendous energy not just for pleasure, but to transform our lives. Lama Yeshe presents tantra as a practice leading to joy and self-discovery, with a vision of reality that is simple, clear, and relevant to 21st-century life.
Journey in Ladakh
Now considered a classic among readers interested in Tibetan Buddhism and pilgrimages of the spirit of all kinds, A Journey in Ladakh is Andrew Harvey's spiritual travelogue of his arduous journey to one of the most remote parts of the world--the highest, least populated region in India, cut off by snow for six months each year. Buddhists have meditated in the mountains of Ladakh since three centuries before Christ, and it is there that the purest form of Tibetan Buddhism is still practiced today.
The Wisdom of Compassion
The Wisdom of Compassion offers rare insights into the Dalai Lama's life and his efforts to translate compassion into action through deeply engaging, behind-the-scene stories about his interactions with remarkable people from all walks of life. This is the Dalai Lama at his most human, and most humane. We see how he approaches the world with playfulness, optimism, and a profound empathy for the suffering of others. Through his own conduct, he shows us the tangible benefits of practicing kindness, forgiveness and compassion. And he demonstrates that opening our hearts and minds to others is the surest path to true happiness.The Wisdom of Compassion is an intensely personal portrait of the Dalai Lama. It recounts the story of his friendship with a blind Irishman, how they first met and how in later meetings the Dalai Lama comes to call him his one and only hero. It explores the Dalai Lama's collaboration with a neuroscientist and how it results in significant discoveries about the human brain. It also brings to life poignant accounts of his uncommon encounters with a little beggar girl, a disabled boy in a critical care ward, a man who trains grandmothers to become solar engineers, and many others. The Dalai Lama's wisdom principles revolve around the practical application of compassion. Enhanced by his seven decades of practice and elucidated through captivating anecdotes of his own experiences, they will help readers lead more fulfilling lives. As the Dalai Lama has written many years ago: if you want others to be happy, practice compassion; if you want yourself to be happy, practice compassion.
The Way to Ultimate Calm
A wide number of discourses by one of the outstanding Burmese meditation masters of the 20th century is brought together in this pivotal Vipassana collection. It is a deeply inspiring look at Webu Sayadaw, who spent his life teaching the practical basics of the Buddha's teaching to all who were inclined to listen. Sayadaw stressed that actual meditation practice was the only way to truly understand the teachings of the Buddha. His refreshing simplicity, his patience, his lovely sense of humor, and his humility--all of which are revealed in these dialogues with his audience--illuminate a side of the Buddha's teaching that can not easily be perceived in treatises and texts. The book also highlights Sayadaw's relationship with Sayagyi U Ba Khin, who would help in the spread of Vipassana meditation to the West.
The Mindfulness Survival Kit
Join Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh as he explores 5 essential mindfulness practices that offer a blueprint for healthy, compassionate living--no matter your spiritual path or background. The Five Mindfulness Trainings (also referred to as "Precepts")--not to kill, steal, commit adultery, lie, or take intoxicants--are the basic statement of ethics and morality in Buddhism. Zen Master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh argues eloquently for their applicability in our daily lives and on a global scale. Nhat Hanh discusses the value and meaning of each precept, offering insights into the role that it could play in our changing society. Thich Nhat Hanh calls the trainings a "diet for a mindful society". With this book, he offers a Buddhist contribution to the current thinking on how we can come together to define secular, moral guidelines that will allow us to explore and sustain a sane, compassionate, and healthy way of living. The Five Mindfulness Trainings offer a path to restoring meaning and value in our world--whether called virtues, ethics, moral conduct, or precepts they are guidelines for living without bringing harm to others.
Teach Yourself Buddhism in a Week
Learn in a week, remember for a lifetime! In just one week, this accessible book will give you knowledge to last forever. End of chapter summaries and multiple choice questions are all designed to help you test your knowledge and gain confidence. So whether you are a student or you simply want to widen your knowledge, you will find this seven-day course a very memorable introduction. SUNDAY: Consider what Buddhism is and why it matters.MONDAY: Learn who the Buddha wasand how he lived.TUESDAY: Examine the Buddha's teaching on a wide range of issues.WEDNESDAY: Discover the Buddhist scriptures and learn how they are interpreted today.THURSDAY: Explore meditation and Buddhist devotional practices.FRIDAY: Engage with the ethics of Buddhism, and how Buddhists respond to moral issues.SATURDAY: Learn about the main Buddhist festivals and ceremonies.
The Light of Wisdom
The Light of Wisdom, the Conclusion, presents detailed explanations of the activities of a Vajra Master and Buddhist practices to clear away hindrances on the path and enhance realization. The book is a combination of three texts: The root text, The Gradual Path of the Wisdom Essence is oral instructions of Padmasambhava, recorded by his chief female disciple, Yeshe Tsogyal. Padmasambhava established the Buddhist doctrine in Tibet during the eight century. He concealed teachings in the form of hidden treasures, to be revealed at an appropriate time in the future. The Light of Wisdom by Jamg繹n Kongtr羹l, one of the most prominent Buddhist masters of nineteenth-century Tibet, is an extensive commentary on this sacred scripture. Entering the Path of Wisdom consists of annotations on the commentary by Jamyang Drakpa, a student of Jamg繹n Kongtr羹l, dictated to Jokyab Rinpoche. The root text of Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo, a terma revealed by the great treasure-finder Chokgyur Lingpa, and its commentary by Kongtr羹l Rinpoche, the great translator in person, form together a complete scripture that embodies all the tantras, statements and instructions of the Nyingma School of the early translations, which is most rare to find in the past, present, or future. ...I find it important that all Dharma practitioners study and reflect upon this book.? Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche It is correct that it will be quite difficult to practice the entire Gradual Path of the Wisdom Essence, so you should use what is directly appropriate for your training. It is never said that you should practice an entire root text as Light of Wisdom contains the complete path for different kinds of individuals, both of Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana. But since its title is the Wisdom Essence, it means that its ultimate practice is Dzogchen.? Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche
Walk Like a Buddha
From the author of the best-selling Buddha Walks into a Bar . . ., tips for living with integrity, compassion, and happiness--from his popular Huffington Post advice column. Since the summer of 2010, young Buddhist teacher Lodro Rinzler has been writing a popular advice column for the Huffington Post and the Interdependence Project called "What Would Sid Do?" ("Sid" being Lodro's nickname for Siddhartha Gautama--the prince who became the Buddha). Lodro's insightful and often funny answers to questions--ranging from how to forgive, to how to deal with a boss who's a bully, to whether or not it's OK to join Match.com--have made him the Dear Abby of the spiritual-but-not-religious crowd. This book gathers all of Lodro's Huffington Post columns, along with much as-yet-unpublished material, to provide a guide to life in a Q&A format that allows you to easily access wisdom for dealing with the myriad challenges of life--traditional challenges as well as uniquely modern ones related to things like social justice and social media.
