Buddhist Guidelines to Skillful Communication
Delve into the profound teachings on 'Buddhist Guidelines to Skillful Communication' with this insightful collection of discourses from Anguttara Nikaya, thoughtfully curated by Bodhi Path Press. This scripture compilation provides deep insights into the Buddha's guidelines for skillful communication, offering practical instructions on cultivating right speech and compassionate communication.The selected discourses guide readers through a transformative exploration of verbal communication, offering practical wisdom on the art of speaking with mindfulness and compassion. Rooted in the rich tapestry of the Anguttara Nikaya, these teachings serve as a source of inspiration for both beginners and seasoned practitioners seeking to cultivate wholesome communication.An indispensable resource, 'Buddhist Guidelines to Skillful Communication' stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of the Buddha's teachings on compassionate speech.
The Path to Enlightenment
Delve into the profound teachings on 'The Path to Enlightenment' with this insightful collection of discourses from Khuddaka Nikaya, thoughtfully curated by Bodhi Path Press. This scripture compilation provides deep insights into the Buddha's teachings on the nature of spiritual enlightenment, wisdom, and insight.The selected discourses guide readers through a transformative exploration of wisdom and insight, offering practical teachings on understanding the path to spiritual liberation. Rooted in the rich tapestry of the Khuddaka Nikaya, these teachings serve as a source of inspiration for those seeking clarity on the nature of enlightenment.An indispensable resource for both beginners and seasoned practitioners, 'The Path to Enlightenment' stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of the Buddha's teachings on the path to liberation.
Buddhist Teachings on Right Speech
Embark on a journey of mindful communication with 'Buddhist Teachings on Right Speech, ' a profound collection of discourses from Samyutta Nikaya thoughtfully curated by Bodhi Path Press. This scripture compilation provides deep insights into the Buddha's teachings on cultivating right speech and skillful communication.The selected discourses guide readers through practical instructions on communicating with mindfulness and wisdom, fostering understanding and harmony in interpersonal relationships. Rooted in the rich tapestry of the Samyutta Nikaya, these teachings serve as a source of inspiration for both beginners and seasoned practitioners seeking to navigate the art of right speech.An indispensable resource, 'Buddhist Teachings on Right Speech' stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of the Buddha's teachings on compassionate communication.
Collected Discourses of Sutta Pitaka
Embark on a profound exploration of Buddhist doctrine with 'Collected Discourses of Sutta Pitaka, ' an enlightening compilation of selected discourses thoughtfully curated by Bodhi Path Press. This scripture collection serves as a comprehensive introduction to the rich teachings found within the Sutta Pitaka, a foundational part of the Pali Canon.The carefully chosen discourses provide deep insights into the core tenets of Buddhist doctrine, offering readers a thorough understanding of the foundational principles of Buddhism. Rooted in the wisdom of the Sutta Pitaka, this collection serves as a gateway for both beginners and seasoned practitioners to delve into the timeless wisdom of the Buddha's teachings. 'Collected Discourses of Sutta Pitaka' stands as an indispensable resource, guiding readers on a transformative journey into the heart of Buddhist doctrine.
Collected Discourses of Sutta Pitaka
Embark on a profound exploration of Buddhist doctrine with 'Collected Discourses of Sutta Pitaka, ' an enlightening compilation of selected discourses thoughtfully curated by Bodhi Path Press. This scripture collection serves as a comprehensive introduction to the rich teachings found within the Sutta Pitaka, a foundational part of the Pali Canon.The carefully chosen discourses provide deep insights into the core tenets of Buddhist doctrine, offering readers a thorough understanding of the foundational principles of Buddhism. Rooted in the wisdom of the Sutta Pitaka, this collection serves as a gateway for both beginners and seasoned practitioners to delve into the timeless wisdom of the Buddha's teachings. 'Collected Discourses of Sutta Pitaka' stands as an indispensable resource, guiding readers on a transformative journey into the heart of Buddhist doctrine.
Sounds of Innate Freedom
The second volume in a historic six-volume series containing many of the first English translations of the classic mahamudra literature compiled by the Seventh Karmapa. Sounds of Innate Freedom: The Indian Texts of Mahamudra are historic volumes containing many of the first English translations of the classic mahamudra literature. The texts and songs in these volumes constitute the large compendium called The Indian Texts of the Mahamudra of Definitive Meaning, compiled by the Seventh Karmapa Ch繹tra Gyatso (1456-1539). Translated, introduced, and annotated by Karl Brunnh繹lzl, acclaimed senior teacher at the Nalandabodhi community of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, the collection offers a brilliant window into the richness of the vast ocean of Indian mahamudra texts cherished in all Tibetan lineages, particularly in the Kagy羹 tradition, giving us a clear view of the sources of one of the world's great contemplative traditions. This volume 2 (thirty-four texts) contains two long-established sets of Mahamudra works: "The Sixfold Pith Cycle" and short texts of Maitripa's "Twenty-Five Dharmas of Mental Nonengagement," which present a blend of Madhyamaka, Mahamudra, and certain tantric principles, as well as two commentaries by Maitripa's students. The vital focus of this volume is the accomplishment of true reality.
A Guided Course in Zen Meditation
For that one student meditator in each and every class I have taught who asked: "Why haven't you written a book on this?" This is for you! "A Guided Course in Zen Meditation" by the Venerable Daiju Zenji, an Australian-born Japanese-trained monk of the Rinzai Zen Buddhist lineage, draws upon his extensive experience practicing and teaching meditation across various countries. Inspired by his decades of conducting workshops on Zen Meditation, the book offers a non-denominational approach, welcoming practitioners of all cultures, faiths and philosophies. Ven. Daiju structures his teachings around zazen, emphasizing its similarity to mindfulness practice and its alignment with the concept of the Noble Eightfold Path. The steps on this path are: Right SeeingRight ThinkingRight SpeechRight ActionRight LivingRight EffortRight MindfulnessRight ConcentrationA Guided Course in Zen Meditation assists readers in exploring the basics of sitting meditation and encourages them to deepen their awareness of the present moment. Instructions are provided for proper posture and techniques. Each chapter includes guided opportunities for meditative practice, reflection and inner peace.
Let Meditation be thy Medicine
A thousand years ago, a renowned Tibetan doctor and spiritual teacher, Yuthok Y繹nten G繹npo, created a unique path of healing and spirituality that combines Tantric Buddhist practices with the traditional Tibetan medical system. He designed this path for his time but even more for our time, as he foresaw a future when people with very full lives would need a clear and direct approach to physical and mental health as well as spiritual liberation.In Let Meditation be thy Medicine, Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, a traditional Tibetan physician and lineage holder of Yuthok Y繹nten G繹npo's teachings, presents this interconnected medical and spiritual path in a fresh and inviting way, welcoming new and experienced students and practitioners. In this book, you will learn your elemental type of wind, fire, or earth/water along with diet and lifestyle modifications for each type and which spiritual practices are most beneficial for each type. With his characteristic humor, clarity, and openness, Dr. Nida Chenagtsang can help you find a personal path back to your original and organic state- healthy, happy, content, and free.
The Sound of Vultures’ Wings
The Sound of Vultures' Wings offers the first in-depth exploration of the music of the Tibetan Ch繹d tradition, which is based on the liturgical song-poems of the twelfth-century Tibetan female ascetic Machik Labdr繹n (1055-1153). Ch繹d is a musical-meditative Vajrayāna method for cutting off the root of suffering, our mistaken view of a self. The Ch繹d practitioner applies the antidote to self-cherishing by developing bodhicitta (altruistic awakening mind) and the antidote to self-grasping through the realization of the ultimate nature of reality: the correct view of emptiness. Ch繹d is regarded by many Tibetan Lamas as one of the most effective Buddhist practices for spiritual and social transformation. Jeffrey W. Cupchik details the significance of the complex, interwoven performative aspects of this meditative ritual and explains how its practice can bring about experiences of insight and inner transformation. In doing so, he undoes the notion of meditation being exclusively an experience of silence and stillness.
Confucius
The twentieth-first Century global community revolves around the idea of joint responsibility - our selves, the neighborhood we live in, our planetary home, all of these need attention. The Chinese Confucius has much to teach us - about self-care, human nature, truthfulness, and the very best in life and how to get on together. According to these classics The Doctrine of the Mean and The Great Learning, it all hinges on how we interact with and treat our竅selves and others. Both sensibility and spirituality exist in these writings, some verses dating back to before 500 BC. In ancient times these terse poetic paragraphs supplied any young person, looking towards a social vocation, with the moral rule against which he or she might be measured. Yet a moral rule has implications for us all. In a nut-shell, its message is that control of the state rested in controlling of one's self, as individual. This also resonated with reverence, or respect for others - not the least, deference to a superior. The primary virtue in old China was jen, 'human-heartedness' or 'love' - a very physical thing. In a sense, Confucianism also embraced the Taoist's notion of 'primal qi'. Richard has published many translations of classical Chinese medical and philosophical texts. But this was his first love, and has always been closest to his heart.
How To Own Your World
Author Stephen K. Hayes bluntly relates the codes of action, ethics, personal development, heroic behavior, self-transformation, and universal archetypes in his How To Own Your World. Behind his work as a helper to humanity lie these ancient lists of basic beliefs and practices followed by thousands of years of spiritual seekers. Translating from ancient Asian languages, the author has created a fresh and modern take on these timeless guides for living a life of meaning, significance, contribution, and personal fulfillment.
Confucian Iconoclasm
Confucian Iconoclasm proposes a novel account of the emergence of modern Confucian philosophy in Republican China (1912-1949), challenging the historiographical paradigm that modern (or New) Confucianism sought to preserve traditions against the iconoclasm of the May Fourth Movement. Through close textual analyses of Liang Shuming's Eastern and Western Cultures and Their Philosophies (1921) and Xiong Shili's New Treatise on the Uniqueness of Consciousness (1932), Philippe Major argues that the most successful modern Confucian texts of the Republican period were nearly as iconoclastic as the most radical of May Fourth intellectuals. Questioning the strict dichotomy between radicalism and conservatism that underscores most historical accounts of the period, Major shows that May Fourth and Confucian iconoclasts were engaged in a politics of antitradition aimed at the monopolization of intellectual commodities associated with universality, autonomy, and liberty. Understood as a counter-hegemonic strategy, Confucian iconoclasm emerges as an alternative iconoclastic project to that of May Fourth.An open access version of this book was published with the support of the Swiss National Science Foundation. It can be found in the SUNY Open Access Repository at http: //hdl.handle.net/20.500.12648/13924.
Prophetic Wisdom
Classical Buddhism lacked an understanding of systemic injustice and its contribution to collective suffering. Despite the teaching of impermanence, classical Buddhist schools viewed social institutions as given and offered no path to social transformation. Today, Buddhists are shaped by multiple religious and secular traditions, including those stemming from the Hebrew prophets. The prophetic tradition offers a socially and religiously powerful concept--the concept of justice--that reconfigures the Buddhist dharma.In a time of unparalleled peril, Buddhists are challenged as never before to turn wisdom into strategic action to foster systemic social change. Compassion is not enough. Prophetic Wisdom shows how Engaged Buddhists can expand their understanding of the causes of collective suffering and develop nonviolent means for social transformation through a dialectic of love, power, and justice. It concludes by confronting the poison of racism in the American body politic.
Mettā
An introduction to the basic Buddhist teachings of mettā, loving-kindness, and its application in today's world. The book is a compilation of lectures given by the author, Ms Sujin Boriharnwanaket, in the Boranives Temple, Bangkok, for mixed groups of scholars, monks and lay people. Part of the book features questions and answers raised during the lectures. Although some Buddhist background is assumed, the complete beginner would appreciate much of the text.
The Wheel of Time
The Kalachakra, or "Wheel of Time," is one of the most profound and sublime of the Buddhist tantric systems. It is an intricate interweaving of astrology, eschatology, physiology, and yoga into a meditational path system that embraces the entire material universe and leads to complete, perfect enlightenment. The Kalachakra, with its special connection to the land of Shambhala and a future golden age of Dharma, has a special appeal for people of all levels of learning and practice. Initiation into its practices traditionally have been large public events, especially when granted by the Dalai Lama. Initiation into the Kalachakra Tantra has been given with increasing frequency in recent years, but information on this complex system and practice remains sparse. The Wheel of Time attempts in part to fill the gap. The book opens with a Foreword by His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama. Then the five articles discuss, respectively, the Buddhist background, history, initiation rites, generation stage sadhana, and completion stage practices of the Kalachakra Tantra.
The Jhanas
Experience new levels of joy, calm, and clarity with this revised and enhanced edition of the bestselling Focused and Fearless. The Pali word jhana literally means "to meditate." It also refers to a traditional series of states of absorption, each deeper than the last, in which the mind is undistracted by sensation, thoughts, or moods. Shaila Catherine's friendly, wise approach, blended with contemporary examples and pragmatic "how to" instructions that anyone can try, will show meditators (and non-meditators) how to attain these extraordinary states with relative ease. But jhana practice is about much more than just meditation or concentration; it offers a complete path toward bliss, fearlessness, and true awakening. From the introduction: Jhanas are states of happiness that can radically transform the heart, reshape the mind, imbue consciousness with enduring joy and ease, and provide an inner resource of tranquility that surpasses any conceivable sensory pleasure. Jhanas are states of deep rest, healing rejuvenation, and profound comfort that create a stable platform for transformative insight. In this approach to jhana, we use the calming aspects of concentration to support the investigative aspects of insight meditation. The fruit of concentration is freedom of heart and mind. This new edition of the meditation classic clarifies crucial points and offers twenty-one additional exercises, making this a great book for both those new to jhana practice and those looking to deepen their practice.
Is Reality Beyond Good and Evil?
Illuminates the debate on the nature of virtue and ultimate reality Tibetan Buddhist thinkers agree that, on the most fundamental level, our nature is pure. What exactly that ultimate nature is, however, remains the subject of debate. Yaroslav Komarovski's new book appraises how divergent understandings of the ultimate nature by Tibetan thinkers, including ideas informed by two conflicting yet complementary systems of Buddhist thought--Yogācāra and Madhyamaka--affect their diverse approaches to understanding virtue, and how their understandings of virtue in turn relate to their approaches to the Buddhist thought and practice. Tracing the origins of the polemics on ultimate virtue back to the Indian texts and writings of early Tibetan thinkers, Komarovski focuses chiefly on the works of the two seminal thinkers of the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, Serdok Penchen Shakya Chokden (1428-1507) and Gowo Rapjampa S繹nam Sengg矇 (1429-1489), and offers both a learned summary of a historical controversy and a modern commentary on this vital debate.
The Life and Letters of Tofu Roshi
In The Life and Letters of Tofu Roshi, Susan Moon presents a delightful and insightful exploration of Zen Buddhism through the fictional character of Tofu Roshi--a "Dear Abby" of Zen Buddhism. Set against the backdrop of the No Way Zen Center, Moon's spoof of the search for enlightenment engages with the complexities of spiritual practice, personal growth, and the often absurd nature of human existence. Her unique approach blends humor with profound wisdom, offering readers a fresh perspective on Zen philosophy. Through a series of letters in an advice column addressed to Tofu Roshi, practitioners share their struggles and doubts, receiving responses that are both witty and enlightening. The book challenges conventional notions of self-improvement and spiritual attainment, encouraging readers to embrace their imperfections and find joy in the present moment. Moon's commentary on her relationship with Tofu Roshi and the Zen community uncovers universal truths about identity, attachment, and the pursuit of enlightenment. Her journey reveals that the path to understanding is filled with both deep insight and lighthearted moments, inviting readers to reflect on their own spiritual quests and the beauty of everyday life.
![The New Human Revolution, vol. 24 [Large Print 16 Pt Edition]](https://cdn.kingstone.com.tw/english/images/product/5710/9781038765710m.webp "The New Human Revolution, vol. 24 [Large Print 16 Pt Edition]")
The New Human Revolution, vol. 24 [Large Print 16 Pt Edition]
Through this novelized history of the Soka Gakkai-one of the most dynamic, diverse, and empowering Buddhist movements in the world today-readers will discover the organization's goals and achievements even as they find inspiring and practical Buddhist wisdom for living happily and compassionately in today's world. The book recounts the stories of ordinary individuals who faced tremendous odds in transforming their lives through the practice of Nichiren Buddhism and in bringing Buddhism's humanistic teachings to the world. This 24th volume looks at events that occurred between 1976 and 1988, including the progress of several Soka Gakkai groups designed to help people develop their potential and contribute positively to their communities and workplaces. This inspiring narrative provides readers with the principles with which they can positively transform their own lives for the better and realize enduring happiness for themselves and others.
Buddhism
Beginning with the events immediately following the dark days after the death of Shakyamuni and continuing over a period of 1,000 years, this dynamic tome covers a vast and complex series of events and developments in the history of Buddhism. Through a thorough examination of its early development in India, a new light is cast on little-known aspects of Buddhist history and its relevance to the understanding of Buddhism today. Topics include the formation of the Buddhist canon, the cultural exchange between the East and West, and the spirit of the Lotus Sutra.
![The New Human Revolution, vol. 23 [Large Print 16 Pt Edition]](https://cdn.kingstone.com.tw/english/images/product/5727/9781038765727m.webp "The New Human Revolution, vol. 23 [Large Print 16 Pt Edition]")
The New Human Revolution, vol. 23 [Large Print 16 Pt Edition]
Through this novelized history of the Soka Gakkai-one of the most dynamic, diverse, and empowering Buddhist movements in the world today-readers will discover the organization's goals and achievements even as they find inspiring and practical Buddhist wisdom for living happily and compassionately in today's world. The book recounts the stories of ordinary individuals who faced tremendous odds in transforming their lives through the practice of Nichiren Buddhism and in bringing Buddhism's humanistic teachings to the world. This 23rd volume looks at events that occurred in 1976, including the founding of a new Soka kindergarten and the Division of Correspondence Education at Soka University, as well as many of the heart-warming stories of correspondence students from all walks of life. This inspiring narrative provides readers with the principles with which they can positively transform their own lives for the better and realize enduring happiness for themselves and others.
The Living Buddha
An intimate portrayal of one of history's most important and obscure figures, the Buddha, this chronicle reveals him not as a mystic, but a warm and engaged human being that was very much the product of his turbulent times. This biographical account traces the path of Siddhartha Gautama as he walked away from the pleasure palace that had been his home and joined a growing force of wandering monks, ultimately making his way towards enlightenment beneath the bodhi tree, and spending the next 45 years sharing his insights along the banks of the Ganges. The Buddhist canon is expertly harvested to provide insight into the Buddha's inner life and to grant a better understanding of how he came to play his pivotal role as founder of one of the world's largest religions.
Waking the Buddha
Is there more to Buddhism than sitting in silent meditation? Is modern Buddhism relevant to the problems of daily life? Does it empower individuals to transform their lives? Or has Buddhism become too detached, so still and quiet that the Buddha has fallen asleep? Waking the Buddha tells the story of the Soka Gakkai International, the largest, most dynamic Buddhist movement in the world today-and one that is waking up and shaking up Buddhism so it can truly work in ordinary people's lives. Drawing on his long personal experience as a Buddhist teacher, journalist, and editor, Clark Strand offers broad insight into how and why the Soka Gakkai, with its commitment to social justice and its egalitarian approach, has become a role model, not only for other schools of Buddhism, but for other religions as well. Readers will be inspired by the struggles and triumphs of the Soka Gakkai's three founding presidents-individuals who staked their lives on the teachings of the Lotus Sutra and the extraordinary power of those teachings to help people become happy.
Diary
What this writer saw, heard, learned, understood, practiced, and experienced were written down and compiled into a Vietnamese-English bilingual booklet: Diary: Practicing Vipassana and the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Sutta. We respectfully pay our respects to the Dhamma Bodhi Meditation Center, Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India, for organizing these precious spiritual experience meditation classes for free. We would like to pay our respects to Master Bhikṣuṇī Hai Trieu Am for her appendix of the very thorough and awakened teachings on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. On this occasion, we also express our sincere thank to Bhante Ratna Buddha, Bhikṣuṇī Vi礙n Nhuận, Bhikṣuṇī Nhuận Tường, Bhikṣuṇī Đức Tr穩, Bhikṣuṇī Vi礙n Quang, Bhikṣuṇī Tịnh Hỷ, Bhikṣuṇī Ph獺p Huệ, Ms. Kirby and others who helped to give information, translate, print, proofread, edit and publish the book as well as support for the Vipassana course.The author enthusiastically shares her experience during the ten days of meditation with readers near and far, and there will certainly be many shortcomings. We respectfully hope that Venerable Monastics and friends will please guide her so that the future editions can be more complete.The Four Foundations of Mindfulness is the common path of all saints and all practitioners.Diligence, patience, and perseverance are the secrets to success.May all sentient beings practice Dhamma and Vipassana on body, feelings, mind, and Dhamma until they attain liberation.Namo Sakyamuni Buddha, End of year 2023, Bodhgaya, IndiaTriple Bows, Ven. Dr. Bhikṣuṇī TN Gioi Huong Huongsentemple@gmail.com
DHARAMSHALA - H?nh Hương V羅ng Đất Thi礙ng Ấn Độ - Pilgrimage To The Sacred Plateau In India (Song ngữ Việt - Anh)
Dharamshala tọa lạc ở thung lũng Kangra, dưới b籀ng đỉnh đồi Dhauladhar của d瓊y n繳i Hi-m瓊-lạp-sơn cao 1.457 m矇t hoặc 4.780 feet, thuộc miền Bắc Ấn Độ.Đ璽y l? trung t璽m Văn h籀a Phật Gi獺o T璽y Tạng, nơi vị Phật sống, Th獺nh Đức Đạt Lai Lạt Ma thứ 14 - Tenzin Gyatso c羅ng cư d璽n của ng?i cư tr繳 v? tu tập theo truyền thống T璽y Tạng. Nơi đ璽y c籀 những ng繫i ch羅a mang n矇t đặc sắc của nghệ thuật miền n繳i tộc Tạng, c籀 niềm hạnh ph繳c thi礙ng li礙ng sẫu thẵm thanh khiết của lời kinh tiếng kệ T璽y Tạng, nơi t璽m của kh獺ch chi礙m b獺i trở n礙n s璽u lắng, y礙n tĩnh, bao la, cao cả như đỉnh n繳i m璽y ng?n Dhauladhar, như sự m礙nh m繫ng v? h羅ng vĩ của n繳i đồi Hi-m瓊-lạp-sơn tuyết trắng chập ch羅ng trước mắt.... Đến thăm viếng, chi礙m b獺i, đảnh lễ, c繳ng dường chư Tăng Ni T璽y Tạng Dharamshala l? một kỷ niệm đẹp m? ph獺i đo?n của ch繳ng t繫i gồm Sư Bhante Buddha Ratna (người Ấn Độ), t獺c giả (Ni sư TN Giới Hương), Sư c繫 đệ tử Vi礙n Nhuận v? sư c繫 Đức Tr穩 đ瓊 được kết duy礙n v?o đầu năm 2024.Xin được chấp b繳t ghi lại những kỷ niệm nho nhỏ v? v?i tư tưởng đơn sơ k穩nh ngưỡng về Dharamshala, một cao nguy礙n xứ tuyết tu tập của người Tạng.Đời người l? những chuyến đi. C籀 những chuyến đi sẽ l? lần cuối. C籀 những chuyến đi sẽ được đi lại. D羅 lần cuối hay được đi lại, xin đ繫i d簷ng chữ v? những h穫nh ảnh lưu lại những khoảng khắc đẹp của người Việt con Phật ch繳ng ta đ瓊 đến xứ sở n?y. Xin hoan hỉ!Dharamshala, đầu xu璽n 2024K穩nh b繳t, Th穩ch Nữ Giới Hương
Honest Rituals, Honest Sacraments
Honest rituals are ceremonial actions that celebrate what is actually happening in people's lives. Religious rituals, however, often celebrate beliefs and doctrines (e.g., the birth of Christ, God's forgiveness of sins, or the gifts of the Holy Spirit) that have little to do with people's experience. Martos argues that early Christian rituals were grounded in experiences such as conversion, community, commitment, and self-giving. Lacking a vocabulary to name such experiences, the authors of the New Testament and other early documents resorted to metaphors such as baptism into Christ, receiving the Holy Spirit, forgiveness by God, and the presence of Christ during worship. By the fourth century, however, those metaphors were taken to be unexperienced metaphysical realities rather than experienced realities. The medieval schoolmen developed philosophical explanations of what went on in church rituals, and the Catholic Church continues to teach that its sacraments are automatically effective despite growing evidence to the contrary. What if religious rituals were to regain their original authenticity? What if the guiding value in designing church ceremonies was honesty rather than liturgical correctness? After liberating the reader from doctrinal constraints, Martos invites Catholics into a re-visioning of the traditional sacraments and a reawakening of ritual imagination in non-Western cultures.
Daily Fragrance of the Lotus Flower, Vol. 14 (2005)
Daily Fragrance of the Lotus Flower is a multi-volume collection of teachings by Buddhist master Ji Kwang, the Supreme Matriarch of the Lotus Sangha of World Social Buddhism. Since 1992, these teachings have been offered daily as "Dharma food," or spiritual sustenance, for anyone striving to attain peace of mind in their families and workplaces. Deftly integrating personal concerns with social issues, Great Dharma Master Ji Kwang's teachings simply and yet powerfully express both the meaning of and the means to realizing enlightening relationships in the midst of the complex and challenging world of the 21st century. Each annual volume is a luminous treasury of daily guidance from a spiritual master to her students and to all who would work out from within their present situation to bring about world peace. About the Author: Ji Kwang, Dae Poep Sa Nim ("Great Dharma Master"), is the Chung Chong or Supreme Matriarch of the Yun Hwa Denomination/Lotus Sangha of World Social Buddhism, which has centers in the United States and Europe. Born in Korea in 1946, she has been training in Buddhism since she was twelve, and is one of the very few women to be recognized as an enlightened master in Korean Buddhist history. She now resides at the Lotus Buddhist Monastery in Hawaii.
Saraha's Spontaneous Songs
Saraha's Spontaneous Songs provides the reader with everything needed for a serious study of one of the most important works in the Indian Buddhist canon. "Completely abandon thought and no-thought, and abide in the natural way of a small child." --Saraha To find liberation and realize the true nature of reality, the Indian Buddhist master Saraha says we must leave behind any conceptual assessment of reality, since no model of it has ever been known to withstand critical analysis. Saraha's spontaneous songs, or dohas, represent the Buddhist art of expressing the inexpressible. The most important collection of Saraha's songs is the Dohakosagiti, better known in Tibet as the Songs for the People, and the Tibetan Mahamudra tradition, especially within the Kagy羹 school, has done the most to preserve the lineage of Saraha's instructions to the present day. But Saraha was also widely cited in Indian sources starting around the eleventh century, and one Indic commentary, by the Newar scholar Advayavajra, still exists in Sanskrit. In addition, we have independent root texts of Saraha's songs in the vernacular Apabhramsa in which they were recorded. These Indian texts, together with their Tibetan translations, are here presented in masterful new critical editions along with the Tibetan translation of the commentary no longer extant in Sanskrit by Moksakaragupta. Finally, both commentaries are rendered in elegant English, and the authors offer a brisk, comprehensive introduction.
Chanting in the Hillsides
In 1983, a tiny group of people in Cardiff and a married couple in Aberporth West Wales were the only Welsh members of Soka Gakkai International, a Japanese movement based on the beliefs and teachings of the 13th century Buddhist, Nichiren Daishonin. Today, there are hundreds of members in Wales and the Borders. This book examines the history of the movement in these two areas, and draws on original research gleaned from the members themselves. The research elicits facets of their faith, practices, and study, as well as their testimonies to the success of such beliefs and practices in their daily lives. The book combines the twin goals of academic analysis of the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin in general with the warmth of its expression in the lives of its adherents in Wales and the Borders.
Buddhist Meditation
A Tibetan Buddhist anthology of accessible and authentic contemplative exercises to help cultivate innate yet undeveloped powers of mind, emotion, and body. A Penguin Classic Drawn from Tibet's rich contemplative literature, Buddhist Meditation offers classic exercises focused on the opportunities and challenges of life; cultivating inner calm; fostering a wider perspective on oneself in relationship to others; working with negative emotions, and the highest values of the Buddhist tradition, love and compassion. Several dozen meditation instructions are collected in twelve chapters. All major traditions of Tibetan Buddhism are represented. The book is structured on "foundation practices", practice manuals that immerse the reader in the search for meaningful and compassionate responses to the ubiquity of human suffering, and in the contemplative techniques that translate that search into consequential action. Spiritual exercises introduce 1) the opportunity for self-betterment and to be of benefit to other living beings; 2) the inescapable persistence of suffering in life, and the reality of death; 3) the workings of ethical cause and effect, otherwise known as karma; and 4) the ever-repeating succession of frustration known as cyclic existence, or samsara. The second set of foundation practices provide tools to build upon including: 5) taking refuge in Buddhism--a deep formal commitment to integrate Buddhist contemplative and ethical teachings into one's life; 6) cultivating love and compassion for all living beings; 7) clearing away cognitive, emotional, and behavioral impediments to actualizing love and compassion; 8) developing with wisdom and the experience and excellent qualities necessary to put love and compassion into practice; and 9) dedicating oneself to a spiritual mentor to serve as a guide through this intensive program of training. Part existential philosophy, part ethics, part self-help program, part cosmology--the foundation exercises present a complete Buddhist picture of life, the ethical universe, and the first steps in making a positive impact in life for ourselves and others, steps anyone can begin to take by dedicating themselves to train in contemplative exercises.
Footprints on the Journey
Inspiring diary entries from a challenging year in the life of the renowned Dzogchen master Khenpo Sodargye demonstrate right conduct for the path to liberation. This personal diary that the renowned Dzogchen master Khenpo Sodargye kept for one year gives serious Dharma practitioners a lifetime of inspiring, wise guidance for practicing right conduct on the path. The backdrop is the Tibetan plateau, from which Khenpo invites us to see the world--from native people to a spider, from vast galaxies to a water droplet--as he does, with candor and humor, and with a Dzogchen master's sharp analysis. He shares with us his perceptions of this world, describing his ups and downs in a way that we can relate to and be inspired by, even if we do not have the fortitude to stand up to the oppression of crustaceans or to ransom yaks from the slaughterhouse. Spontaneous and lively, the entries play out the vicissitudes of his life throughout a challenging year, tracking the passage of his thoughts and actions, leaving footprints for whoever is able to follow.
Affective Betrayal
Affective Betrayal uses "affect" as an analytical category to explicate the fragility and fragmentation of Chinese political modernity. In so doing, the book uncovers some of the unresolved moral and philosophical obstacles China encountered in the past, as well as the cultural predicament the country faces at present.At the turn of the twentieth century, China's leading reformer Liang Qichao (1873-1929) presented modern political knowledge in musical and visual representational formats that were designed to stimulate readers' bodily senses. By expanding the reception of textual knowledge from "reading" to "listening" and "visualizing experiences," Liang generated an epistemic shift, and perhaps an all-inclusive internal intellectual, philosophical, and moral transition, alongside China's modern political reform. By tracing the marginalized academic and philosophical positions Liang sought to restore in China's incipient democratic movement, Affective Betrayal examines how his attempts to conjoin Confucian morality and liberal democracy expose hidden anxieties as well as inherent contradictions between these two systems of thought. These conflicts, besides disrupting the stability of China's burgeoning modern political order, explain why the import of modern concepts led to China's continued political impasse, rather than rationality and progress, after the 1911 revolution.
Holy Things
Scholars of religion have mostly abandoned the concept of "syncretism" in which certain apparent deviations from "standard" practice are believed to be the result of a mixture of religions. This is particularly relevant to Thailand, in which ordinary religious practice was seen by an earlier generation of scholars as a mixture of three religions: local spirit religion, Hinduism, and Buddhism. In part, the perception that Thai Buddhism is syncretistic is due to a misunderstanding of traditional Buddhism, which has always accepted the existence of local spirits and gods. Nevertheless, there are aspects of Thai Buddhist practice that still stubbornly appear syncretistic. Moreover, Thai Buddhists themselves are increasingly adopting the language of syncretism, referring to traditional Thai religion as a mixture of local, Hindu, and Buddhist practices. This raises the question: If syncretism is so wrong, then why does it seem so right? In Holy Things, Nathan McGovern answers this question through an in-depth study of the worship of spirits, gods, and Buddha images--all known as sing saksit, or "holy things"--in Thailand. He takes the reader on a historical and genealogical journey, showing how the category saksit began as a term to describe a power that is inherent to gods and spirits and accessible to Brahmans. Only later, when it was used in the nineteenth century to translate the Western concept of the "holy" did it become associated with Buddhist practice. McGovern shows that what appears to be syncretism is actually an illusion. The worship of "holy things" is not a mixture of different religions, but the category of "holy things" is a mixture of different ways of talking about religion.
Abiding in Emptiness
An incisive look into the early Buddhist teachings on emptiness, and a manual for bringing those teachings into our everyday lives. Before the growth of the Mahayana and the Perfection of Wisdom, the Buddha gave his own teachings, to his attendant Ananda, on the importance of emptiness (Pali sunnata, Sanskrit sunyata) in formal meditation and everyday practice. In this volume, renowned scholar-monk Bhikkhu Analayo explores these teachings and shows us how to integrate them into our lives. Bhikkhu Analayo draws from instructions found in the Greater and the Smaller Discourses on Emptiness (the Mahasunnatasutta and the Culasunnatasutta). In each chapter, he provides a translation of a pertinent excerpt from the discourses, follows this with clear and precise explanations of the text, and concludes by offering instructions for practice. Step by step, beginning with daily life and concluding with Nirvana, Bhikkhu Analayo unpacks the Buddha's teachings on the foundational teaching of emptiness.
Goodbye Forever - Volume Three
An incognito English incarnation of an early 20 century Tibetan Lama returns to the Himalayas in 1975, after three years at Art School in Bristol. He continues his training in Bodhanath, Nepal, with Kyabj矇 D羹d'jom Rinpoche - the Head of the Nyingma Tradition. He is referred to the ferocious K羹nzang Dorje Rinpoche in Tso Pema - for training in Dzogchen Men-ngag-d矇. A harrowing month of interogatory harangues ensues - but he is finally accepted, not simply as a disciple, but as a heart-son. He returns to D羹d'jom Rinpoche to recount his experience. He is given instructions and predictions. He will reveal the Aro gT矇r when he commences life as a Lama in the West - but first he must find a consort. She will make everything possible - but how he will find her proves challenging. He travels between Bodhanath and Tso Pema - but time is running out. He returns to Britain periodically to earn the wherewithal for further sojourns in the Himalayas. He has no guidelines for how to proceed in the West - other than the predictions of his Lamas.
Tsongkhapa
Tsongkhapa's seminal contributions to Buddhist thought and practice, and to the course of history, are illuminated and celebrated by some of his foremost modern interpreters. Few figures have impacted the trajectory of Buddhism as much as the great philosopher and meditator, scholar and reformer, Tsongkhapa Losang Drakpa (1357-1419), the founder of the Geluk school of Tibetan Buddhism and teacher of the First Dalai Lama. His Ganden tradition spread throughout Central Asia and Mongolia, and today, through figures such as the Dalai Lama, who calls Tsongkhapa a second Nagarjuna, his teachings are shaping intellectual conversations and ethical practice globally. To commemorate the 600th anniversary of Tsongkhapa's passing, a special conference was held at Ganden Monastery in India in 2019, featuring some of the best translators and interpreters of his teachings today. Highlights of those incisive summations of Tsongkhapa's special contributions are gathered in this volume. Here we discover Tsongkhapa the philosopher, Tsongkhapa the master of the Buddhist canon, Tsongkhapa the tantric adept, and Tsongkhapa as the visionary who united wisdom to compassion. Each of the authors featured looks at a distinct facet of Tsongkhapa's legacy. Donald Lopez provides a global context, Guy Newland distills Tsongkhapa's Middle Way, Dechen Rochard uncovers the identity view, Jay Garfield examines the conceptualized ultimate, Thupten Jinpa highlights the seminal importance Tsongkhapa placed on ascertainment, David Gray looks at his approach to Cakrasamvara tantra, Gavin Kilty surveys his Guhyasamaja tantra commentary, Roger Jackson surmises his views on Zen and mahamudra, Gesh矇 Ngawang Samten examines his provisional-definitive distinction, Gareth Sparham highlights his scholastic prowess, Mishig-Ish Bataa illuminates his impact in Mongolia, and Bhiksuni Thubten Chodron presents his instructions on how to cultivate compassion. Whether you are well acquainted with Tsongkhapa's life and thought or you are encountering him here for the first time, you will find The Legacy of Tsongkhapa an illuminating survey of his unique explorations of the highest aspirations of humanity.
Nagarjuna’s Precious Garland
Discover the eloquence and insight of the philosopher Nagarjuna, held by tradition to be a second Buddha, in this concise instruction for a king that is considered a masterpiece of Buddhist literature. In this profound work of five hundred verses, we encounter a presentation of Buddhism that integrates both the worldly and the transcendent. The clear and sagacious advice laid out on every page serves as a road map to one's highest goal--whether that goal is a better life, here called the Dharma of ascendance, or the ultimate one of spiritual freedom, the Dharma of the highest good. The verses, written for an unnamed ruler, touch on questions of statecraft, but their broader themes speak to us today because they tackle the difficulty of integrating one's spiritual journey with the social and political demands of daily life. Nagarjuna was an Indian Buddhist teacher, probably of the second century CE, who was renowned for his astute articulation of the philosophy of the Middle Way (Madhyamaka). His thoroughgoing critique of all forms of essentialism became a touchstone for Mahayana Buddhism in India, Tibet, and throughout East Asia, and his importance for the development of the Mahayana tradition can scarcely be exaggerated. The translators here first rendered Nagarjuna's letter for the Dalai Lama's teachings on the work in Los Angeles in 1997. While that commemorative edition was translated from the Tibetan, the present volume prioritizes the surviving Sanskrit verses along with the only known Indian commentary, by the eleventh-century scholar Ajitamitra. This is the first complete translation in English of the Precious Garland that takes the Indian text and commentary as its primary authorities. In addition, the translators provide rigorous working editions of the Sanskrit and Tibetan verses they translate. This elegant and precise rendering of Nagarjuna's work is certain to become the touchstone translation of this celebrated Buddhist text.
Daily Fragrance of the Lotus Flower, Vol. 13 (2004)
Daily Fragrance of the Lotus Flower is a multi-volume collection of teachings by Buddhist master Ji Kwang, the Supreme Matriarch of the Lotus Sangha of World Social Buddhism. Since 1992, these teachings have been offered daily as "Dharma food," or spiritual sustenance, for anyone striving to attain peace of mind in their families and workplaces. Deftly integrating personal concerns with social issues, Great Dharma Master Ji Kwang's teachings simply and yet powerfully express both the meaning of and the means to realizing enlightening relationships in the midst of the complex and challenging world of the 21st century. Each annual volume is a luminous treasury of daily guidance from a spiritual master to her students and to all who would work out from within their present situation to bring about world peace. About the Author: Ji Kwang, Dae Poep Sa Nim ("Great Dharma Master"), is the Chung Chong or Supreme Matriarch of the Yun Hwa Denomination/Lotus Sangha of World Social Buddhism, which has centers in the United States and Europe. Born in Korea in 1946, she has been training in Buddhism since she was twelve, and is one of the very few women to be recognized as an enlightened master in Korean Buddhist history. She now resides at the Lotus Buddhist Monastery in Hawaii.
Lifting as They Climb
The lives and writings of six leading Black Buddhist women--Jan Willis, bell hooks, Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, angel Kyodo williams, Spring Washam, and Faith Adiele--reveal new expressions of Buddhism rooted in ancestry, love, and collective liberation. Lifting as They Climb is a love letter of freedom and self-expression from six Black women Buddhist teachers, conveyed through the voice of author Toni Pressley-Sanon, one of the innumerable people who have benefitted from their wisdom. She explores their remarkable lives and undertakes deep readings of their work, weaving them into the broader tapestry of the African diaspora and the historical struggle for Black liberation. Black women in the U.S. have adapted Buddhist practice to meet challenges ranging from the injustices of the Jim Crow South to sexual violence, social discrimination, and bias within their Buddhist communities. Using their voices through the practice of memoir and other forms of writing, they have not only realized their own liberation but carried forward the Black tradition of leading others on the path toward collective awakening.
Doggie Dharma
This book offers insights from our fellow canine practitioners on the path of mindfulness. Each dog offers their own insight as translated through their human guardian, reminding us of what matters. UK Lay Dharma teachers, ordained by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh of Plum Village, have given each dog their Dharma name, reflecting the essence of their teaching.
What Happened After Ma簽juśrī Migrated to China?
The chapters in this book explore the transcultural, multi-ethnic, and cross-regional contexts and connections between the Buddhāvataṃsaka-sūtra, Mount Wutai and the veneration of Ma簽juśrī that contributed to the establishment and successive transformations of the cult centered on Mount Wutai - and reduplications elsewhere. The contributions reflect on the literature, architecture, iconography, medicine, society, philosophy and several other aspects of the Wutai cult and its significant influence across several Asian cultures, such as Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, Mongolian and Korean.This book is a significant new contribution to the study of the Wutai cult, and will be a great resource for academics, researchers, and advanced students of Religion, Philosophy, History, Architecture, Literature and Art. The chapters in this book were originally published in the journal Studies in Chinese Religions.
Hinduism And Buddhism An Historical Sketch Vol. 3
Sir Charles Eliot's "Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 3" is a gigantic work that provides a comprehensive analysis of the origins, development, and historical circumstances of Hinduism and Buddhism. This scholarly masterwork demonstrates Eliot's remarkable comprehension of both of the main Asian religions and their effect on Indian and global cultures and society. Volume 3 dives into Hinduism's ancient roots, chronicling its development from the earliest Vedic traditions to the diverse and multifaceted belief systems which developed over time. He explores Hinduism's philosophical, mythical, and ritual parts, providing readers an in-depth knowledge of its many customs and beliefs. Furthermore, the book exhaustively traces Buddhism's rise, its founder, Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), and the spread of this transforming spiritual movement throughout Asia. Eliot investigates not only the tenets and customs of Buddhism, but also its historical relationships with Hinduism and the larger social milieu. Some stories are brutal and weird, while others creep up on you and draw you in slowly. This version of "Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 3" is both modern and legible, with an eye-catching new cover and professionally typeset manuscript.
Hinduism And Buddhism An Historical Sketch Vol. 1
Sir Charles Eliot's "Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 1" is a gigantic work that provides a comprehensive analysis of the origins, development, and historical circumstances of Hinduism and Buddhism. This scholarly masterwork demonstrates Eliot's remarkable comprehension of both of the main Asian religions and their effect on Indian and global cultures and society. Volume 1 dives into Hinduism's ancient roots, chronicling its development from the earliest Vedic traditions to the diverse and multifaceted belief systems which developed over time. He explores Hinduism's philosophical, mythical, and ritual parts, providing readers an in-depth knowledge of its many customs and beliefs. Furthermore, the book exhaustively traces Buddhism's rise, its founder, Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), and the spread of this transforming spiritual movement throughout Asia. Eliot investigates not only the tenets and customs of Buddhism, but also its historical relationships with Hinduism and the larger social milieu. Some stories are brutal and weird, while others creep up on you and draw you in slowly. This version of "Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 1" is both modern and legible, with an eye-catching new cover and professionally typeset manuscript.
Hinduism And Buddhism An Historical Sketch Vol. 2
Sir Charles Eliot's "Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 2" is a gigantic work that provides a comprehensive analysis of the origins, development, and historical circumstances of Hinduism and Buddhism. This scholarly masterwork demonstrates Eliot's remarkable comprehension of both of the main Asian religions and their effect on Indian and global cultures and society. Volume 2 dives into Hinduism's ancient roots, chronicling its development from the earliest Vedic traditions to the diverse and multifaceted belief systems which developed over time. He explores Hinduism's philosophical, mythical, and ritual parts, providing readers an in-depth knowledge of its many customs and beliefs. Furthermore, the book exhaustively traces Buddhism's rise, its founder, Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), and the spread of this transforming spiritual movement throughout Asia. Eliot investigates not only the tenets and customs of Buddhism, but also its historical relationships with Hinduism and the larger social milieu. Some stories are brutal and weird, while others creep up on you and draw you in slowly. This version of "Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 2" is both modern and legible, with an eye-catching new cover and professionally typeset manuscript.
Tibetan Sky-Gazing Meditation and the Pre-History of Great Perfection Buddhism
Through a rigorous analysis of original scriptures and later commentaries, this open access book unearths a cornucopia of idiosyncratic motifs pervading the famous Tibetan sky-gazing meditation known as "Skullward Leap" (thod rgal). Flavio Geisshuesler argues that these motifs suggest that the practice did not originate in the context of Buddhism, but rather within indigenous Tibetan culture and in close contact with the early B繹n tradition. The book argues that Dzogchen once belonged to a cult centered on the quest for vitality, which involved the worship of the sky as primordial source of life and endorsed the hunting of animals, as they were believed to be endowed with the ability to move in between the divine realm of the heavens and the world of humans. The book also traces the historical development of the Great Perfection, delineating a complex process of buddhicization that started with the introduction of Buddhism in the 7th century, intensified with the rise of new schools in the 11th century, and reached its climax in the systematization of the teachings by the great scholar-yogi Longchenpa in the 14th century. The study advances an innovative model of meditation as an open-ended practice that animates practitioners to face the most challenging moments of their lives with courage and curiosity, imagination and creativity, and playfulness and excitement; qualities that are oftentimes overlooked in contemporary descriptions of contemplation. The ebook editions of this book are available open access under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence on bloomsburycollections.com. Open access was funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.
How to Use Mindfulness to Be Happy
How to Use Mindfulness to Be HappyA new book title from Dr. Jerome Freedman, PhD, CMTHow to Use Mindfulness to Be Happy is a comprehensive guide that delves into the transformative power of mindfulness and its profound impact on happiness. The book is an expansion of a successful nine-week Zoom class conducted in 2022, designed as part of the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. Written by Dr. Jerome Freedman, an experienced and certified mindfulness meditation teacher, the book offers valuable insights into the practice of mindfulness, its benefits, and how it can be seamlessly integrated into daily life.The book begins with an introduction that lays the foundation for mindfulness meditation and explores the science of happiness. It dismantles common misconceptions, such as the idea that material possessions, a high-paying job, wealth, or a perfect physique guarantee lasting happiness. Instead, readers are guided to uncover the true sources of happiness in their lives and discover practical "happiness hacks" to enhance their well-being.The subsequent chapters delve into the Four Divine Abodes: loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. These profound concepts are demystified, and readers are introduced to accessible practices that can cultivate these qualities, fostering greater happiness and emotional balance in their lives.In the ninth chapter, the book explores the themes of generosity, gratitude, and forgiveness. It reveals how these three practices not only help individuals navigate challenging relationships more effectively but also elevate their overall levels of happiness beyond expectations. These practices are presented as essential tools for personal growth and contentment.Each chapter culminates with a guided meditation script, providing readers with practical exercises to experience firsthand the teachings presented in the book. These guided meditations serve as invaluable tools for readers to integrate mindfulness into their lives and deepen their understanding of the concepts discussed.How to Use Mindfulness to Be Happy is a holistic guide that empowers readers to embrace mindfulness as a pathway to genuine and lasting happiness. Drawing from a successful teaching experience and the wisdom of mindfulness experts, this book offers readers the tools and knowledge to lead more fulfilling, joyful lives by cultivating mindfulness and its associated qualities.From the Foreword by Eve DeckerHappiness is a universal human longing. But how do we find it? In How to Use Mindfulness to be Happy, Jerome Freedman explores time honored practices that can truly support greater levels of happiness. Jerome shares ancient wisdom stories, personal anecdotes, and modern neuroscience to help the reader feel the true potential for happiness in these 2,500-year-old practices. What a gift!I met Jerome in February 2021. He was in one of the groups I was mentoring for the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, a two-year mindfulness teacher certification program led by wisdom teachers Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach.Jerome's friendly and patient personality speaks to his years of practice, both formally and in daily life, with both mindfulness and the 'heart practices' he so skillfully teaches about - loving kindness, compassion, appreciation, and equanimity. Jerome is a warm guide for his readers, offering many stories of his deliberate practices over many years on behalf of both for himself and his family, which have resulted in not only his own contentment, but the happiness and well-being of his three grown children and their families...
Psalms of the Early Buddhists
"Psalms of the Early Buddhists" or "The Psalms of the Early Buddhists" it is a compilation of verses from the Pali Canon, the oldest collection of Buddhist scriptures.The Pali Canon is the primary religious scripture of Theravada Buddhism, and it contains teachings attributed to Gautama Buddha. In this particular collection, A. F. Rhys Davids has translated and compiled verses that express the thoughts and aspirations of early Buddhists. The term "psalms" draws a parallel with the Psalms of the Bible, indicating that these verses have a similar devotional and reflective quality.The book provides insight into the spiritual and philosophical aspects of early Buddhism through the words of the Buddha and his disciples. It offers a glimpse into the practices, beliefs, and ethical principles of the early Buddhist community. If you are interested in Buddhist scriptures and want to explore the foundational teachings of Buddhism, "Psalms of the Early Buddhists" can be a valuable resource.
Sacred Ceremony and Desert Legacy
Ian Prattis' new publication, Sacred Ceremony and Desert Legacy. is another riveting medley of poetry and prose, autobiographical essays and a memoir of his mystical journey as a shaman and a Zen teacher. His gentle but powerful activism to save the Earth is the sacred glue fusing together all of the genres featured in this book. Prattis uses the power of the word to remind us to open our hearts and our senses to the natural world, to hear the symphony in the whale song, and marvel at the flight of geese, or to "see spring blossoms cast a rainbow in summer rain." Prattis' reflections on impermanence remind us that "our only possessions are the consequences of our actions", and that we should awaken from our apathy and slumber and show a renewed reverence toward nature becoming both leaders and followers of radical change. His social commentary on wars and the destruction of our home Earth is couched in stirringly beautiful poetic language, which acts as a guiding light to beckon us toward a shift of consciousness.- Jana Begovic, author, Poisonous Whispers and Dragonfly Slayer
