The Discourse on the Root of Existence
The Mulapariyāya Sutta, is considered one of the most important texts in the Pāli Canon. The Buddha taught it to clear away the mental obstructions preventing a correct grasp of his teaching and to open the way for insight to arise. It aims at eliminating the whole range of subjective misconceptions centered on the concept of an ego right down to their roots. It reveals the structure of man's ego-biased orientation towards the world, shows the way this mental stratification colors and distorts his understanding, and points out the work of inner re-orientation he must do to free himself from his egoistic bonds. The present work offers an English translation of the discourse together with its commentarial exegesis, essential for understanding the many difficult passages occurring in the primary text. The presentation gives the sutta first, then follows it with an exegetical section containing the commentary and selected passages from the subcommentary. The introduction provides a detailed guide to the meaning of the sutta and explores its implications for epistemology, ontology, and psychology. It discusses important topics dealt with in the discourse such as the structure of ego- consciousness. 2024 Pariyatti Press Edition
The Discourse on the All-Embracing Net of Views
The Brahmajāla Sutta, one of the Buddha's most important and profound discourses, weaves a net of sixty-two cases capturing all the philosophical, speculative views on the self and the world. Its assignment as the first discourse in the Collection of Long Discourses reflects the high esteem in which it was held by the ancient compilers of the Pāli Canon. But the Brahmajāla is more than merely the first item in a collection of discourses, it is the gateway to the entire Teaching of the Buddha itself. Its central message must be grasped to ensure a correct understanding of the Teaching. This book contains an accurate and readable translation of this discourse, as well as of its massive commentary and the subcommentary, allowing for a close in-depth study of the work. The book also contains translations of three commentarial treatises that throw valuable sidelights on rarely known aspects of Theravada Buddhism: "The Treatise on the Pāramīs", a lengthy treatise on the Theravada conception of the Bodhisatta ideal, "The Meaning of the Word Tathāgata," and "The Method of the Exegetical Treatises" The introduction by Bhikkhu Bodhi is itself a modern philosophical commentary on the sutta. It elucidates the key points of the discourse and explains the place of the Brahmajāla in the overall structure of Buddhist thought. 2024 Pariyatti Press Edition
365 Days of Buddha Wisdom
Embark on a year-long journey of enlightenment with this compact treasury of daily inspiration, featuring profound quotes from revered Buddhist thinkers to infuse your every day with wisdom and tranquility Discover daily peace and wisdom with this pocket-sized collection of quotes from Buddhist teachers, writers and philosophers For many people around the world, the Buddha remains a timeless symbol of compassion, humility and mindfulness. His journey - which saw him leave his life as a prince to begin a spiritual quest for enlightenment - has inspired many to seek inner peace for themselves. Whether Buddhist or not, there is so much the ancient philosophy of Buddhism can teach us about living a more mindful existence. With the help of this little book, you can start each day with a dose of Buddhist wisdom. Inside you will find 365 quotes from some of the greatest Buddhist thinkers of all time, including Th穩ch Nhất Hạnh, Pema Ch繹dr繹n, Alan Watts and, of course, the Buddha himself. The insights contained within will enhance your daily life by teaching you to cherish the present moment, live in harmony with nature, and treat all living things with love and kindness. So, what are you waiting for? Dive in and begin your own spiritual journey.
Ratnakūṭa Studies, Volume I
Indian Mahāyāna Buddhist traditions produced hundreds of scriptures and treatises, only a small number of which have received serious scholarly attention. The present volume inaugurates the Buddhist Open Philology Project (BOPP) publication series, which aims to produce state-of-the-art critical editions, translations, and studies of individual works, thereby seeking to advance the comprehensive study of Buddhism's vast literary tradition. This volume collects four studies on the composition and impact of the collection of scriptures called the Mahāratnakūṭa ("Great Heap of Jewels"), including critical editions and translations of two scriptures. Contributors are: Jonathan A. Silk, +Gadjin M. Nagao, and Michael Radich.
Borobudur: Masterpiece in Stone
"This is simply the best book ever written on the single largest Buddhist monument in the world" --Patricia Welch, author and lecturer on Asian art Borobudur is the largest Buddhist monument in the world--a masterpiece containing thousands of intricately carved panels and sculptures blending Indian art with local Javanese culture. The panels retell the lives of the Buddhas along with dozens of other tales of worldly desire and the heroics feats of enlightened beings. After viewing these, visitors ascend to open terraces at the top to enjoy majestic vistas of the surrounding landscape--an experience designed to evoke the eternal bliss of Buddhist nirvana. This book presents a detailed history of the monument as well as a description of its art and design. Author John Miksic recounts Borobudur's history from its construction in the 9th century to its rediscovery in the 19th century and multiple restorations by the Dutch colonial government, the Indonesian Government and UNESCO in the 20th century. Surveying ancient Javanese texts and contemporary scholarship, Miksic walks us through the temples main features, honing in on important details. The book includes chapters on: History and Archaeology -- How Buddhism came to Indonesia, the monument's history and construction, and what it tells us about ancient Javanese societyArchitecture and Symbolism -- The unique design of the monument and how it was used in ancient timesThe Reliefs -- The fables and stories beautifully told in hundreds of artfully-carved panels lining Borobudur's lower terraces, including the Jataka tales, the Life of Gautama Buddha and the Gandavyuha taleBorobudur: Masterpiece in Stone is sure to be treasured by anyone intending to visit Borobudur as well as all those with an interest in Buddhist art and history.
Zen in the Art of Archery
Zen in the Art of Archery, originally published in German, was first published in English in 1953, the first book to introduce Zen Buddhism to a Western audience. The translation was rather formal and scholarly, making for difficult reading about a subject that was already hard to understand. This new translation skillfully transmits the book's original meaning in a simpler, smoother style more accessible to modern readers, but with all of the author's fascinating experiences, explanations, and anecdotes intact.In this illuminating account, the author recounts his six-year study of archery as a way to understand Zen. Under the guidance of one of Japan's great archery masters, he gradually overcomes his initial misconceptions and inhibitions and begins to feel his way toward new, true ways of seeing, acting, and living.The author writes, "The art of archery is like a preparatory school for Zen, enabling beginners to understand, through their own experience, events that are not in themselves intelligible."Mastering archery is not the key to achieving enlightenment, and this is not a practical guide to archery. Rather, it is a fascinating introduction to Zen principles and learning, an excellent and informative guide for anyone who wants to know more about the "Great Doctrine" practiced by the spiritual teachers of the Asian tradition.
The Buddhist Catechism
NEW PRINT WITH PROFESSIONAL TYPE-SET IN CONTRAST TO SCANNED PRINTS OFFERED BY OTHERS The Buddhist Catechism This book is a result of an effort made by us towards making a contribution to the preservation and repair of original classic literature. In an attempt to preserve, improve and recreate the original content, we have worked towards: 1. Type-setting & Reformatting: The complete work has been re-designed via professional layout, formatting and type-setting tools to re-create the same edition with rich typography, graphics, high quality images, and table elements, giving our readers the feel of holding a fresh and newly reprinted and/or revised edition, as opposed to other scanned & printed (Optical Character Recognition - OCR) reproductions. 2. Correction of imperfections: As the work was re-created from the scratch, therefore, it was vetted to rectify certain conventional norms with regard to typographical mistakes, hyphenations, punctuations, blurred images, missing content/pages, and/or other related subject matters, upon our consideration. Every attempt was made to rectify the imperfections related to omitted constructs in the original edition via other references. However, a few of such imperfections which could not be rectified due to intentional\unintentional omission of content in the original edition, were inherited and preserved from the original work to maintain the authenticity and construct, relevant to the work.
The Gospel Of Buddha, Compiled From Ancient Records
NEW PRINT WITH PROFESSIONAL TYPE-SET IN CONTRAST TO SCANNED PRINTS OFFERED BY OTHERS The Gospel Of Buddha, Compiled From Ancient Records This book is a result of an effort made by us towards making a contribution to the preservation and repair of original classic literature. In an attempt to preserve, improve and recreate the original content, we have worked towards: 1. Type-setting & Reformatting: The complete work has been re-designed via professional layout, formatting and type-setting tools to re-create the same edition with rich typography, graphics, high quality images, and table elements, giving our readers the feel of holding a fresh and newly reprinted and/or revised edition, as opposed to other scanned & printed (Optical Character Recognition - OCR) reproductions. 2. Correction of imperfections: As the work was re-created from the scratch, therefore, it was vetted to rectify certain conventional norms with regard to typographical mistakes, hyphenations, punctuations, blurred images, missing content/pages, and/or other related subject matters, upon our consideration. Every attempt was made to rectify the imperfections related to omitted constructs in the original edition via other references. However, a few of such imperfections which could not be rectified due to intentional\unintentional omission of content in the original edition, were inherited and preserved from the original work to maintain the authenticity and construct, relevant to the work.
Literature for Little Bodhisattvas
In Literature for Little Bodhisattvas, Natasha Heller makes two key interventions: first, she argues that picturebooks are a new genre of Buddhist writing, and second, she calls attention to an emergent family Buddhism in Taiwan that fashions children as religious subjects through shared attention with adult readers. Surveying Taiwanese Buddhism from the ground up, Heller explores the changing family dynamics that have made children into a crucial audience for Buddhist education and the home a key site for Buddhist cultivation. By taking picturebooks seriously as part of the Buddhist textual tradition, Heller demonstrates their engagement with canonical sources alongside innovations for modern audiences. Close readings analyzing both text and image trace narrative themes about Buddhist figures, and connect representations of buddhas and bodhisattvas to a visual culture where new values such as cuteness are articulated. Heller shows that picturebooks have become an integral part of a contemporary Buddhist education that equips children with strategies to interpret everyday life in Buddhist ways and provides religious models for action in the modern world. Literature for Little Bodhisattvas is a pathbreaking work revealing how contemporary picturebooks reframe Buddhism and offer fresh perspectives on its teachings and ideals of family for both children and adults.
The Carefree-Ease Record
In this radical new translation of a classic Ch'an (Zen) koan collection, David Hinton illuminates the Taoist dimensions of "carefree-ease," the effortless joy of the enlightened mind in harmony with earth and cosmos. First collected by the Ch'an master Wisdom-Expanse (Hung-Chih) in the twelfth century, this collection of one hundred kung-ans, or koans, is an essential text for students of Ch'an and Zen. These miniature masterpieces of Chinese philosophy and literature offer a unique way of penetrating directly into the essence of Ch'an teaching, and in this new translation, Hinton affords readers an opportunity to experience these koans in English like never before. Paring away the later commentaries that are usually presented with these koans, Hinton lets the original stories stand on their own, revealing themselves as nothing less than poetic expressions of the awakened mind. A far cry from the transcendence of life-and-death that typifies the traditional Buddhist goal of nirvana, this awakening is distinctly earthy and grounded in the rhythms of nature, shaped by the centuries of Taoist tradition that preceded Ch'an. "Carefree ease," writes Hinton, "is to move through life with the profound tranquility of the Cosmos itself as it unfurls through its perennial transformations." Following his translation of No-Gate Gateway (2018) and Blue-Cliff Record (2024), this volume marks the completion of Hinton's project to translate all three of the classic koan collections.
The Bodhisattva Vow
Before the Dalai Lama bestows the Bodhisattva vow, he often teaches the short text known as the Twenty Verses on the Bodhisattva Vow by the Indian master Chandragomin. Chandragomin's text discusses some of the most important features regarding the vow, such as from whom it should be taken, how one should prepare for receiving it, what constitutes transgressions of the vow, and how they should be purified. In clear and accessible terms, Geshe Sonam Rinchen explains how to take and then safeguard the Bodhisattva vow.
The Eye Never Sleeps
The radical challenge of Zen Buddhism is to drop all assumptions and prejudices and experience the truth directly. American Zen teacher Dennis Genpo Merzel brings new life to this ancient wisdom through his commentaries on a classic Chinese Zen scripture, "Verses on Faith-Mind," by the Third Patriarch of Zen, Sosan Zenji. The author strikes to the heart of Zen with clarity and force, expressing in modern terms, to an American audience, the essential wisdom and compassion of Sosan Zenji's famous poem. Full of colorful Zen lore and personal anecdotes from Dennis Genpo Merzel's life, these talks impart the Buddha's teaching directly and intimately, illuminating in simple words the timeless questions and problems of day-to-day life.
Bodhicitta
One is unlikely ever to receive a Tibetan Buddhist teaching on either sutra or tantra in which Bodhicitta does not have a central role. Bodhicitta, the compassionate mind which aspires to attain full enlightenment in order to benefit beings, is the very quintessence of the Mahayana path of Buddhist practice. In this practical handbook, Ven. Lobsang Gyatso describes the classical methods for developing the mind of enlightenment and based on his experience as a meditator and a teacher examines a wide range of obstacles to its development.
What Is Meditation?
What Is Meditation? explains the Buddhist worldview and the age-old practice it perfected to unfold our innate qualities of compassion, self-acceptance, and inner peace. Rob Nairn gives step-by-step instructions for beginning your own meditation practice, including three simple exercises--"Bare Attention," "Remaining in the Present," and "Meditation Using Sound"--to help get you started.
Rituals of Unity - Study of Li in Confucian Thought
Rituals of Unity - A Study of Li in Confucian ThoughtIn a world where disorder threatens to dissolve the bonds that sustain existence, Rituals of Unity emerges as a bridge between the past and the present. This book unveils the foundations of Confucian thought, presenting a timeless philosophy that transcends eras and resonates with the complexities of the modern world.Each page reveals the depth of wisdom that not only organizes chaos but transforms lives. Confucius, with his unwavering vision, built a foundation based on virtue, rituals, and cosmic harmony. Here, the reader will find a map to understand the secrets of moral order and the transformative power of actions grounded in ethics and just leadership.This is not merely a philosophical study but an invitation to engage with the principles that shape entire societies. Through a holistic and captivating narrative, Rituals of Unity leads to an understanding of how ancient rituals connect with the most universal aspirations: the pursuit of balance, justice, and meaning.By embracing the values proposed in this work, one discovers the connections that align humanity with the transcendent, offering more than answers - a path.
Tantric Practice in Nyingma
Rinpoche's commentary on the instructions on the "Preliminaries to the Great Perfection Teaching" contains the classical Nying-ma presentation of the Dzogchen preliminaries and practices that lead to Buddhahood. It is an oral commentary on Patrul Rinboche's Kunzang Lamai Shelung (Words of My Perfect Teacher). "The Recitation of the Preliminaries to the Heart Essence of Vast Openness Illuminating the Good Path to Omniscience" by Jigme Lingpa is included.
Matrix of Mystery
World-renowned Buddhist scholar Herbert V. Guenther here offers the first comprehensive study of the rDzogs-chen or Ati tradition of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. Matrix of Mystery explores man's ability to preserve as well as transmit essential insights into the structure of reality. Utilizing a key root Buddhist scripture, the Guhyagarbha ("Matrix of Mystery"), along with dozens of commentarial Tibetan textual sources, Guenther presents the most profound teachings of the Buddhist tradition, which represent the culmination of religious thought and practice in Tibet. In relating these teachings in modern scientific and humanistic perspectives, he demonstrates how, in many cases, the traditional religious and modern secular perspectives on the nature of reality interface. Professor Guenther discusses the mandala and the deities that reside therein; the organizing principles of body, speech, mind, quality, and action, the three bodies of the buddha (trikaya); the inseparability of prajna and skillful means; and the complex field of Buddhist iconography. Throughout, quotations from numerous Tibetan sources are used to illustrate various teachings. His book will appeal to any serious student of Tibetan Buddhism.
The Philosophical View of the Great Perfection in the Tibetan Bon Religion
Dzogchen, or the Great Perfection, is considered by both the Bonpos and the followers of the Nyigma school in Tibet to be the culmination of all spiritual teachings. The philosophical view of the Great Perfection introduces the individual to the knowledge of reality, which is one with the enlightened state of all beings. In this book the Dzogchen view is presented in two Bonpo texts belonging to the revered terma (treasure) and oral traditions, here for the first time translated and critically edited in their entirety.
Deepening Zen
From the Foreword, by Daishin Patrick VigilAround 2500 years ago a deeply troubled man sat down under a tree and vowed not to get up until he found the path to liberation. Through that realization, that man became known as the Buddha and his teachings have been passed down over the course of millennia.Mitra Bishop, Roshi has for over 50 years incorporated and practiced those deep teachings in every aspect of her life. She lives each moment in true freedom. Roshi has crafted her messages and teachings with an eye to modern Americans, ordinary people like you and me.... In examining and putting into practice her teachings, offered both in this book and in her first volume...you will nd a true path to ultimate liberation. As Roshi says, "You will become increasingly free, and there is no end to the depths of that freedom." This is her wonderful promise to each of us.ContentsForeword by Daishin Patrick VigilIntroduction by Jan Chozen BaysPreface1. Foundations of the Deepest Zen Practice2. When Anxiety Comes Up in Zen Practice3. The Challenge of Letting Go4. Escape Is Not a Solution5. Jump into the 86 Hells6. Zen Practice and Suppression of Feelings7. Unweaving the Tapestry, Exploring the Mind8. Benefits of Being Honed by Life and Zen Practice9. A Story of Transformation: ACES and Zen10. Struggle and Transformation in Spiritual Practice11. Luminous Transparency and the Rapids of Life12. Nirvana13. A Featureless Map of Zen Practice14. A Sufi Teaching Story15. Fruits of Advanced Zen Practice16. Post Sesshin Advice17. Sensing Your Way Deeper Without a GPSGlossaryGlossary of Kanji TranslationsRecommended ReadingAbout the Author
Return with Elixir
A step-by-step guide to reclaiming the soul - Shares four maps for spiritual rebirth based on Joseph Campbell, Carl Jung, Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, and the precession of the equinoxes - Traces the author's journey of rebirth, covering his transformation through a spiritual crisis and the creation of a more meaningful life - Provides visualization practices based on ancient Tibetan wisdom to support you on the path of self-realization Exploring wisdom from mystical traditions and perennial philosophy on "dying before you die," Buddhist psychotherapist Miles Neale shares his own hero's journey of rebirth, providing a detailed roadmap for the pilgrimage through dissolution, into the great mystery, and back again to the world. He shares his transformation through a spiritual crisis and, ultimately, his creation of a more meaningful life. He provides four intersecting maps to help guide readers through the experiential process of metaphoric death, reclaiming the soul, and sharing one's genius with others. These four maps--the cosmological map, psychological map, alchemical map, and mythopoetic map--draw on the mythological stages of Joseph Campbell, Carl Jung's process of individuation, the Tibetan Buddhist alchemy of conscious rebirth, and the astrological phenomenon of the precession of the equinoxes, offering a detailed philosophical underpinning for the soul's journey to immortality. He also provides in-depth visualization practices based on ancient Tibetan wisdom to support you on the path of self-realization. Integrating Tibetan Buddhism with psychology, trauma healing, neuroscience, and mythology, along with profound personal experience, Neale provides a step-by-step manual for spiritual rebirth, revealing how to reframe life's unrelenting challenges and transitions as opportunities for psychological growth.
Guru Rinpoche
The story of Guru Rinpoche's visit to Tibet and significant influence on its Buddhist history during the eighth and ninth centuries, recounted by four prominent Tibetan scholars. This book recounts Guru Rinpoche's historic visit to Tibet and explains his continuing significance to Buddhists. Through a series of historical texts written by prominent Tibetan Buddhist masters, this book recounts the life and legacy of Padmasambhava, The Lotus-Born, better known as Guru Rinpoche. Credited with transmitting Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century CE during the last century of the Tibetan Empire, Guru Rinpoche fostered radical changes to Tibet, marking historic transformations in the country's religious and political position. Having converted Tibet into a largely Buddhist society, Guru Rinpoche's influence remains a central force in Tibetan identity and practice today. Guru Rinpoche offers an account of his life through four distinct accounts, including: A biography by Jamgon Kongtrul A biography by Dorje Tso from a revelation by Sera Khandro An Indian version of his life by Tarnata The B繹n version of his life by Jamyong Kyentse Wongpo In addition, the book includes a selection of supplications and Buddhist poetry praising the Lotus-Born master, Guru Rinpoche.
The Song of Awakening
The Song of Awakening contains Namgyal Rinpoche's pith instructions on the classical practice of Mindfulness of Death, the practice of meditation in general and the exemplary practice of Mahamudra 'the supreme path of enlightenment'. Included are key teachings and references to various schools of Buddha-Dharma, Judeo-Christianity and the Western Mysteries, as well as modern psychology and philosophy; all disciplines in which he was a master. This transmission, clearly and deftly woven throughout his discourses, retains and reveals the essence of each of them placed in a context relevant for this age. Although more than four decades have passed since Rinpoche first gave these teachings, they remain as fresh and as timeless a guide to liberation as they were when he gave them then.
Records from the Ancestral Mirror
The Zongjing Lu (Records from the Ancestral Mirror) by Chan master Yongming Yanshou (904-976 CE) is an unusual Chan work, for it embraces the entire field of Chinese Buddhism, including Chan. It cites a dizzying array of sources, introducing readers to a comprehensive understanding of the Buddha-dharma. The work is in one hundred fascicles; the present translation is of fascicles 2, 3, & 4. RANDOLPH S. WHITFIELD studied Chinese language and literature at Leiden University. He has translated various Chan works, including the Jingde Chuandeng Lu (Records of the Transmission of the Lamp) in 8 volumes.
Recovering Confucian Authority
The political and cultural power of Confucianism is nowhere more apparent than in ritual. Confucian-educated officials proficient in Ritual Learning shape the ritual institutions that express dynastic legitimacy. This book follows the workings of Ritual Learning during the first three centuries of the Common Era, a time marked by three dynastic changes and difficult recovery of the ritual order under new regimes. Contrary to common understanding, the Eastern Han is a time of flux, uncertainty, and neglect in Confucian ritual forms, and the following third century is an era when Confucian dominance over imperial ritual crystallized as never before.
Down to Earth Dharma
Buddhist teachings and heart-centered practices from the "feminine paradigm" to embrace receptivity and bring more balance to your life, relationships, and the world. With deeply thoughtful, lyrical prose, this book invites readers to engage with the world from a unique perspective that encourages feeling, intuitive understanding, embodiment, interdependence, and sacredness. Weaving together classical Theravada Buddhist teachings and mindfulness practices, the book teaches us when and how to channel our receptive and active orientations--sometimes called the feminine and masculine paradigms--to feel more at home in ourselves and the world and drop more deeply into the Buddhist teachings on suffering and happiness. Rebecca Bradshaw, a respected Buddhist teacher in the Insight Meditation community, offers teachings that are simple yet require us to explore aspects of ourselves that go against much of our social conditioning that values goal-oriented busyness, productivity, independence, outgoing energy, and other "active" qualities. When overemphasized, this orientation can cause destructive emotions and behaviors, but we can counter them by embracing more receptive qualities. The receptive or feminine paradigm takes us deeper into the heart of the classical Buddhist teachings, leading to openness and freedom of the heart-mind. Bradshaw illustrates her own resistance to letting go of her strong active orientation with relatable stories, like her efforts to be a perfect meditator. Drawing on our connectedness to nature, she offers guidance for grounded practices, including: useless gazing, getting lost, sense-based reality, practicing in the wildness, accepting uncertainty, and more.These Buddhist teachings are as comforting as they are thought-provoking. Bradshaw's debut book helps us let go and nurture our ability to receive, listen, embrace vulnerability, and just be. Through this process, we heal the imbalances within ourselves and in our relationships to all beings and the natural world.
New Confucian Horizons
This book offers a reflection on Tu Weiming's legacy and deals with Confucianism and New Confucianism and Tu Weiming's contribution to both of these Chinese philosophical traditions, studies how Confucianism has been received, especially in Asia, and considers Confucianism in connection with contemporary challenges.
The Satipatthanasutta with Pemasiri Thera's Commentary
This book is a new contribution on the subject of mindfulness, having at its core the classic Buddhist meditation text, the Satipatthanasutta ("Discourse on the Foundations of Mindfulness") in the original Pali, translated here into English alongside the comments and explanations of the text by Pemasiri Thera, a contemporary meditation master and scholar from the Theravada tradition in Sri Lanka. Pemasiri Thera has richly commented on the ancient text, drawing on the larger Tipi?aka and its commentaries, and provided helpful elucidations of the key concepts from the sutta (awareness, mindfulness, contemplation, etc.) as well as offered new and alternative interpretations and concrete experiential examples from meditation practice. Tamara Ditrich compiled, edited, and translated the Satipatthanasutta with Pemasiri Thera's commentary into English and in turn she also contributed her own comments in extensive notes, linking the Thera's commentary to Therav?da Buddhist sources and highlighting those aspects that enrich or throw new light on the standard approaches. The book presents a comprehensive guide for understanding mindfulness by situating it within the larger Theravada doctrinal framework in a way accessible to contemporary readers. The book will appeal to general and scholarly readers interested in any aspects of the theory and practice of mindfulness, Buddhist teachings or P?li studies.
The Satipaṭṭhanasutta with Pemasiri Thera's Commentary
This book is a new contribution on the subject of mindfulness, having at its core the classic Buddhist meditation text, the Satipatthanasutta ("Discourse on the Foundations of Mindfulness") in the original Pali, translated here into English alongside the comments and explanations of the text by Pemasiri Thera, a contemporary meditation master and scholar from the Theravada tradition in Sri Lanka. Pemasiri Thera has richly commented on the ancient text, drawing on the larger Tipi?aka and its commentaries, and provided helpful elucidations of the key concepts from the sutta (awareness, mindfulness, contemplation, etc.) as well as offered new and alternative interpretations and concrete experiential examples from meditation practice. Tamara Ditrich compiled, edited, and translated the Satipatthanasutta with Pemasiri Thera's commentary into English and in turn she also contributed her own comments in extensive notes, linking the Thera's commentary to Therav?da Buddhist sources and highlighting those aspects that enrich or throw new light on the standard approaches. The book presents a comprehensive guide for understanding mindfulness by situating it within the larger Theravada doctrinal framework in a way accessible to contemporary readers. The book will appeal to general and scholarly readers interested in any aspects of the theory and practice of mindfulness, Buddhist teachings or P?li studies.
Readings of the Gateless Barrier
The Gateless Barrier is one of the most cherished yet also one of the most enigmatic Chan or Zen texts of East Asian Buddhism. Compiled by the Chinese Chan master Wumen Huikai in 1228, it contains forty-eight Zen stories of spiritual awakening called "public cases" or gong'ans (known as kōans in Japanese and kongans in Korean). This book presents a new English translation with close readings and creative analyses of the Gateless Barrier from both scholarly and practitioner perspectives, allowing a range of readers to venture into the rich world of Chan and Zen. Specialist contributors offer insights on historical context, literary structure, philosophical implications, and gendered dimensions, as well as the embodied practice and contemporary experience of the stories in the Gateless Barrier. By bringing together academic expertise with experiential insight from Zen teachers, this book provides a grounded and nuanced account of how the Gateless Barrier has been--and continues to be--practiced and lived in China, Korea, Japan, and the West. An innovative and sophisticated study, this book is ideal for university classroom use, and it also makes the Gateless Barrier accessible to other first-time readers, Buddhist practitioners, and scholars.
Guru Nanak's Transcendent Aesthetics
One of the foremost exponents of the Sikh religion and of related Punjabi literature offers here a sustained exploration of the aesthetics of Sikhism's founder, understood as 'a symbiosis of his prophetic revelation, his poetic genius, and his pragmatic philosophy - embedded in his visceral expression of the transcendent One.' Drawing on a wide range of sources, Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh examines in full all the beauty, intimacy, and inclusive richness of Guru Nanak's remarkable literary art. Her subject's verses - written in simple vernacular Punjabi - are seen creatively to subvert conventional linguistic models while also inspiring social, psychological, environmental, and political change. These radical lyrics are now brought into fascinating conversation with contemporary artists, poets, and philosophers. Moving beyond conventional religious discourses and spaces of worship in its attempt to sketch a multisensory, publicly oriented reception of Sikh sacred verse, this expansive book opens up striking new imaginaries for 21st-century global society.
Buddhism and International Humanitarian Law
This volume is part of an ICRC project which explores correspondences between Buddhist and IHL principles, and identifies Buddhist resources to improve compliance with IHL and equivalent Buddhist or humanitarian norms.The chapters were originally published as a special issue of Contemporary Buddhism.
Posthuman Buddhism and the Digital Self
Posthuman Buddhism and the Digital Self lays the groundwork for the concept of 'dwellspace' as a means by which to unpick the shifting spatial, temporal and experiential modalities of everyday mediascapes.
Readings of the Gateless Barrier
The Gateless Barrier is one of the most cherished yet also one of the most enigmatic Chan or Zen texts of East Asian Buddhism. Compiled by the Chinese Chan master Wumen Huikai in 1228, it contains forty-eight Zen stories of spiritual awakening called "public cases" or gong'ans (known as kōans in Japanese and kongans in Korean). This book presents a new English translation with close readings and creative analyses of the Gateless Barrier from both scholarly and practitioner perspectives, allowing a range of readers to venture into the rich world of Chan and Zen. Specialist contributors offer insights on historical context, literary structure, philosophical implications, and gendered dimensions, as well as the embodied practice and contemporary experience of the stories in the Gateless Barrier. By bringing together academic expertise with experiential insight from Zen teachers, this book provides a grounded and nuanced account of how the Gateless Barrier has been--and continues to be--practiced and lived in China, Korea, Japan, and the West. An innovative and sophisticated study, this book is ideal for university classroom use, and it also makes the Gateless Barrier accessible to other first-time readers, Buddhist practitioners, and scholars.
The Inner Path
This is an introduction to Buddhist practice for those in prison. This book is offered free of charge to all incarcerated people, pre-trial detainees, conditionally released people, and those in all situations between these stages. The author, editors, and publisher have all waived any income from the book. If you would like to purchase a copy, the base price you pay reflects a copy for you and an extra free copy to be donated to a Buddhist prison chaplaincy program. If you purchase directly from the publisher, the price you pay reflects a copy for you and two extra free copies to be donated to a Buddhist prison chaplaincy program. To sponsor additional copies for prisoners as an act of generosity, please contact the publisher directly.CONTENTSIntroductionThe Four Noble TruthsThe Eightfold PathDukkhaKarmaDo Buddhists believe in a god?The Three Marks of ExistenceThe Three JewelsTaking RefugeThe Five PreceptsMettaThe AggregatesThe WaveThe Five ObstaclesHow to Meditate (Beginner)How to Build an Altar in Your CellBuddhist DietSit in the FireEmpty BoatSlow DownThe Opinions of OthersAngulimalaThe Power of PracticeHomage to our AncestorsHow to Meditate (More Experienced)The Practice of MettaWalking MeditationBuddhist FestivalsFurther ReadingSuttas and PrayersAcknowledgments About the AuthorThe BasicsShrine Images
Monks and Literati
Scholars have long debated the relationship between Buddhist monks and Confucian literati during the late Chosŏn (seventeenth to nineteenth centuries), when the Korean state adopted anti-Buddhist policies. On the one hand, it is understood that literati openly displayed hostility toward monks and engineered their persecution; on the other, they were known to have privately supported Buddhism, helping the religion persevere, even thrive, in the Confucian society. In Monks and Literati, the first book-length study in English to provide a comprehensive survey of Buddhism in late Chosŏn Korea, Seong Uk Kim argues that such opposing views overemphasize the role of literati and depict monks as passive actors. Kim applies sociologist Ann Swidler's concept of repertoire--the social, cultural, and religious inventory of symbols, rules, and skills for constructing strategies of action--as an analytical tool to reconcile the two narratives and offer a more nuanced and comprehensive picture of the complex literati-monk relationship. Kim examines the ways monks initiated and developed relationships with literati using their repertoire of cultural and religious resources. Monks adopted various roles, such as cultural companion, spiritual mentor, and ritual officiant, within and beyond the private realm of Confucian society and, in so doing, reaffirmed what it meant to be a monk and redefined what Buddhism could be at a time when monks' religious identities and activities were constantly being challenged. By avoiding the binary frame describing monks as either victims or beneficiaries of literati, Monks and Literati sheds new light on not only Korean Buddhism in the late Chosŏn but also more generally East Asian Buddhism, where a similar monk-literati paradigm has often been applied.
The Teaching and Teachings of Temple Buddhism in Contemporary Japan
How have Buddhist teachings come to be in modern and contemporary Japan and how are they taught? This pioneering work seeks to answer these questions by highlighting the public teachings of Temple Buddhism institutions, in particular Temple Buddhism kindergartens and Buddhist secondary schools and colleges. The community outreach provided by these Buddhist facilities is far greater than any other with the possible exception of funerals yet until now it has received little attention from scholars of Japanese religion. After determining what is taught in Buddhist education and how, Stephen Covell introduces readers to a select group of monks who undergo some of the most grueling practices in Japanese Temple Buddhism to determine if the public-facing teachings of Buddhist education are unique or similar to those of elite Buddhist practitioners. The teachings and sites of teaching examined here include but are not limited to classical doctrinal studies and temples focused on the education of Buddhist clergy. Covell uncovers the arguments made by priests involved in morals education, the dharma talks of famous ascetics, and the ways in which laws and legal codes have changed Buddhist education. He looks at what is taught on the ground, online, and in popular texts to discuss the current teachings embraced as Buddhism within the institutions of Temple Buddhism. Among his numerous findings is such teachings and worldview are remarkably similar to those of New Religions and Buddhist lay movements as outlined by Japan religion scholars and government bodies in charge of education. The Teaching and Teachings of Temple Buddhism in Contemporary Japan will be welcomed by students and scholars in Japanese religious studies and early childhood and higher education as well as those interested in current Buddhist practice and teachings in general.
The Pastor's Public Ministry
Seasoned pastor, Terry L. Johnson, shares practical wisdom for pastors to help them prioritise their public ministry. Includes foreword by Ligon Duncan. Ministers, in our age, are expected to be jacks-of-all-trades. However important administration, committee work, counselling, and relationship building may be, the pastor's public ministry in the preaching of the Word and leading of public worship and prayer are fundamental. The Bible lays out specific qualifications for elders and deacon. The gospel is guarded by requiring those who hold public office to have high standards of knowledge, character, and conduct. Terry Johnson lays out that, if this is true for "lay" leadership, how much more important for those called to ministry. With years of experience, and practical wisdom, Terry L. Johnson guides pastors to think through each of the key aspects of public worship. If you are just starting out in ministry, or have been serving the Lord for many years, a prayerful reading of this book will be of great benefit to your ministry, and your congregation. Contents: Leading in Worship First Priority Principles of Worship Leadership Services of Worship Public Services Well-ordered Reverent Well-paced Clergy-led Simple yet excellent Leading in Praise Is it singable? Is it biblically and theologically sound? Is it biblically and theologically mature? Is it emotionally balanced? Is it demographically comprehensive? Leading in Prayer Background Recent Times Personal Experience Recommendations for Public Prayer Scriptural Planned Brief Undiluted Appropriate Full diet of prayer Clear headings Example Preaching Lectio continua Textual Without Formulas Assume Ignorance Explain Context Review and Repeat Application Brevity Urgency Authentic Exhortation
Untangled
This accessible guide for walking Buddhism's eightfold path is the perfect way to combat loneliness, disconnection, and depression-true happiness is not as unattainable as it may seem. Loneliness is on the rise, with detrimental effects on our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. How do we look past the surface, to discover a life filled with meaningful connection and genuine relationships? Untangled is a welcoming guidebook to finding expansive ease and true joy through the eightfold path-one of Buddhism's foundational teachings. Psychotherapist and Zen teacher Koshin Paley Ellison compassionately walks readers down these eight roads, leading them to discover true joy. Combining teachings from both Eastern and Western traditions, Paley Ellison equips readers with the tools needed to make profound change, inside and out. Infused with Paley Ellison's own anecdotes of his own life, this guide will help you transform your relationships and offers a path for social healing.
Ritual Performance in Early Chinese Thought
Examining early Chinese ritual discourse during the Warring States and early Western Han Periods, this book reveals how performance became a fundamental feature of ritual and politics in early China. Through a dramaturgical lens, Thomas Radice explores the extent to which performer/spectator relationships influenced all aspects of early Chinese religious, ethical, and political discourse. Arguing that the Confucians conceived ritual as primarily a dramaturgical matter, this book demonstrates not only that theatricality was necessary for expression and deception in a community of spectators, but also how a theatrical 'presence' ultimately became essential to all forms of public life in early China. Thomas Radice illuminates previously unexplored connections between early Chinese texts, aesthetics, and traditions.
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.
A Heart as Wide as the World
The beloved Buddhist meditation teacher and New York Times-bestselling author of Real Happiness offers encouragement and inspiration for anyone on the spiritual pathBuddhist teachings have the power to transform our lives for the better, says Sharon Salzberg, and all we need to bring about this transformation can be found in the ordinary events of our everyday experiences. In A Heart as Wide as the World, Salzberg distills more than twenty-five years of teaching and practicing meditation into a series of short essays, rich with anecdotes and personal revelations, that offer genuine aid and comfort for anyone on the spiritual path. Many chance moments, both small and profound, serve as the basis for Salzberg's teachings: hearing a market stall hawker calling, "I have what you need!"; noting hotel guests' reactions to a midnight fire alarm; watching her teacher, Dipa Ma, bless a belligerent dog; seeing the Dalai Lama laughing uproariously at his own mistake. Each passing moment, Salzberg shows, can help us down the path toward "a seamlessness of connection and an unbounded heart."
The Doctrine of the Buddha
No detailed description available for "The doctrine of the Buddha".
The Nature and Rationale of Zen/Chan and Enlightenment
This book initiates a paradigm shift away from Zen/Chan as quintessentially Buddhist and examines what makes Chan thought and practice unique and original through an interdisciplinary investigation of the nature and rationale of Chan and its enlightenment.
Buddhist Mahayana Texts
This collection of Buddhist Mahayana texts, translated by renowned scholars E.B. Cowell, F. Max Muller, and K. Takakusu, presents a profound exploration of the Mahayana tradition. Key scriptures, such as the Diamond Sutra, unfold the essential teachings of compassion, emptiness, and enlightenment. Through these texts, readers encounter transformative insights that delve into the nature of reality and the path to spiritual awakening. By highlighting the philosophical and ethical principles central to Mahayana Buddhism, this compilation offers an invaluable resource for both scholars and practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding of Buddhist thought. Engaging and enlightening, this volume encapsulates the timeless wisdom of the Mahayana tradition, offering readers an opportunity to explore the depth and beauty of these revered teachings.
Tibetan Wisdom
���� **Discover the Wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism: Karma, Meditation, and Sacred Symbols** ����Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey into the heart of Tibetan Buddhism? Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just starting to explore Buddhist teachings, this comprehensive book bundle is the perfect guide to deepen your understanding of karma, meditation, and the sacred symbols that define this rich spiritual tradition. Dive into the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism with *Karma, Meditation, and Sacred Symbols*, a four-book collection designed to offer insight, practice, and spiritual growth. ����✨���� **Book 1: The Path of Compassion: Teachings on Bodhisattva Practice** Compassion lies at the heart of Tibetan Buddhism, and in *The Path of Compassion*, you'll discover the profound teachings of the Bodhisattva path-a life dedicated to the service of all beings. Learn how to cultivate compassion in your daily life, develop patience, and nurture a heart that seeks to alleviate suffering wherever it is found. ���� This book will guide you in living with kindness, transforming your relationships with others, and embodying the virtues of a Bodhisattva.���� **Book 2: The Wheel of Life: Understanding Karma and Rebirth** Unlock the mysteries of karma and samsara with *The Wheel of Life*. ���� This book offers a clear and accessible explanation of how our actions shape our lives, future rebirths, and the cycles of existence. Dive into the wisdom of the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, learning how to break free from the cycles of suffering and live a more meaningful, intentional life. Whether you're curious about the deeper aspects of karma or want to understand how your actions today affect your future, this book has the answers.���� **Book 3: The Art of Meditation: Tibetan Techniques for Inner Peace** Discover the ancient meditative practices that bring calm, clarity, and spiritual awakening. ����♀️ In *The Art of Meditation*, you'll explore Tibetan techniques such as *shamatha* (calm abiding) and *vipassana* (insight meditation), designed to quiet the mind and open the heart. Whether you are seeking inner peace or deep spiritual insight, this book provides a practical guide to meditation that is rooted in centuries of tradition but relevant for today's world. ����♂️ Learn how to build a lasting meditation practice that can transform your daily life.���� **Book 4: Deities and Symbols: The Mystical World of Tibetan Buddhism** Step into the mystical and symbolic world of Tibetan Buddhism with *Deities and Symbols*. This book unveils the deeper meanings behind the deities, rituals, and sacred objects that play a central role in Tibetan Buddhist practice. From the compassionate Avalokiteshvara to the fierce protector Mahakala, you'll gain insight into how these sacred figures guide practitioners on the path to enlightenment. ���� With this guide, explore the rich symbolism of mandalas, mudras, and other sacred objects, learning how these tools are used to focus the mind and deepen spiritual practice. ����✨���� **Order Now and Begin Your Journey** ���� This bundle is a perfect companion for anyone seeking spiritual growth, deeper understanding, and personal transformation through the timeless wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism. Start your journey today, and discover the path to inner peace, wisdom, and compassion. ��������
