Buddhism Books

Book SynopsisFirst Buddhist Women is a readable, contemporary translation of and commentary on the enlightenment verses of the first female disciples of the Buddha. The book explores Buddhism’s relatively liberal attitude towards women since its founding nearly 2,600 years ago, through the study of the Therigatham, the earliest know collection of women’s religious poetry. Through commentary and storytelling, author Susan Murcott traces the journey of the wives, mothers, teachers, courtesan, prostitutes, and wanderers who became leaders in the Buddhist community, roles that even today are rarely filled by women in other patriarchal religions. Their poetry beautifully expresses their search for spiritual attainment and their struggles in society.

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Book SynopsisLessons on love and Dharma, from celebrated Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh and featuring a foreword by Natalie Goldberg In Cultivating the Mind of Love, Thich Nhat Hanh gives a most unusual Dharma teaching: the story of his first love. He pairs these personal memories with his insightful commentaries on classic Buddhist teachings, including the Diamond Lotus, Avatamsaka, and Vimalakirti Sutras. In combining personal experience and Dharma teachings, Nhat Hanh allows his readers to experience and to appreciate what is human and wonderful in all of us. He shows us how to cultivate our own “mind of love”—and how to bring joy and hope to ourselves and those around us. “I am continually amazed at how Thich Nhat Hanh is able to translate the Buddhist tradition into everyday life and make it relevant and helpful for so many people. Cultivating the Mind of Love just might be my favorite book of his.”  —Natalie Goldberg, author of Writing Down the Bones

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Book SynopsisExploring Karma & Rebirth is a vigorous and thought-provoking inquiry into two important but often misunderstood Buddhist doctrines. This challenging book: clarifies and critically appraises these traditional Buddhist doctrines, examines them in relation to their cultural origins and discusses whether these teachings are still relevant today, and offers an imaginative reading of what the teachings could mean for the postmodern Western world Above all, Exploring Karma & Rebirth insists that, to be of enduring value, these doctrines must continue to serve the overriding aim of Buddhism: spiritual awakening.Trade Review"An excellent introduction to the complex and frequently misinterpreted Buddhist doctrines of karma and rebirth..." - Stephen Batchelor, author of Buddhism Without Beliefs."

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Book SynopsisThis is the story of an international Buddhist movement, from its inception in London to its growth worldwide. It is the story of mistakes made, lessons learnt and how a Buddhist community was built. Extract: This is the story of a circle of friends dreaming a dream, and working to make it a reality...It's the nitty-gritty story of how a community evolves. It's a story of idealism and naivety, growth and growing pains, hard work and burn-out, friendship and fall-out'.Trade Review"An excellent synopsis of the history of an important Buddhist movement through a half century of social change: a fluent narrative of pioneering spirit, triumphs, setbacks and learnings" - David Brazier, OAB, PhD, Head of the Amida-shu, author. "...a courageous and important book...it defies all expectations to tell the brilliant, troubled, and inspiring history of this unique Western Buddhist movement...this is a valuable and instructive text." - Zoketsu Norman Fischer, Founder of Everyday Zen Foundation and author of 'Sailing Home: Using the Wisdom of Homer's Odyssey to Navigate Life's Perils and Pitfalls'.

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Book SynopsisUnderstanding the relationship between our mind and our world A special method for overcoming difficulties in daily life Removing obstacles to realizing our full potential This completely new presentation by the author of Modern Buddhism offers truly liberating insights and advice for the contemporary reader. It reveals the profound meaning of the very heart of Buddha's teachings - the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras. The author shows how all our problems and suffering come from our ignorance of the ultimate nature of things, and how we can abandon this ignorance and come to enjoy pure, lasting happiness by developing a special wisdom associated with compassion for all living beings.Trade Review"An excellent book... for the serious student of Buddhism a better book would be hard to come across". - The Middle Way "...both excellent and comprehensive". - North American Board for East West DialogueTable of ContentsIllustrations Acknowledgements Introduction Commentary to Heart Sutra - Part 1: The Explanation of the Direct Meaning of the Sutra The Title and Homage The Background and Shariputra's Question The Paths of Accumulation and Preparation (1) The Paths of Accumulation and Preparation (2) The Paths of Seeing, Meditation and No More Learning Conclusion Buddha's Approval and the Promise to Practise Commentary to Heart Sutra - Part 2: Explanation of the Hidden Meaning Preliminary Explanation and Lives of Protector Nagarjuna & Arya Asanga The Path of a Person of Initial Scope The Preciousness of our Human Life What Does our Death Mean? The Dangers of Lower Rebirth Going for Refuge What is Karma? The Path of a Person of Middling Scope What We Should Know What We Should Abandon What We Should Practise What We Should Attain The Path of a Person of Great Scope The Supreme Good Heart - Bodhichitta Training in Affectionate Love Training in Cherishing Love Training in Wishing Love Training in Universal Compassion Training in Actual Bodhichitta Training in the Path of Bodhichitta Training in the Six Perfections Training in Taking in Conjunction with Practice of the Six Perfections Training in Giving in Conjunction with Practice of the Six Perfections Dedication Appendix I - The Root Text: Essence of Wisdom Sutra (The Heart Sutra) Appendix II - The Condensed Meaning of the Commentary Appendix III - Liberating Prayer and Prayers for Meditation Appendix IV - Explanation of 12 Sources, 18 Elements, 12 Dependent-related Links Appendix V - The Great Mother: A Method to Overcome Hindrances Appendix VI - A Short Commentary to the Practice of The Great Mother Appendix VII - The Yoga of Great Mother Prajnaparamita Appendix VIII - Short Commentary to Yoga of Great Mother Prajnaparamita Glossary Bibliography Study Programmes of Kadampa Buddhism Tharpa Offices Worldwide Index

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Book SynopsisA practical and inspiring guide to Buddhist meditation: 1. How to discover the inner peace of meditation; 2. How to apply meditation in daily life; 3. How we can make our life happy and meaningful. This practical guide teaches how to make ourself and others happy by developing inner peace - and in this way how to make our lives more meaningful. Without inner peace there is no real happiness. Problems, suffering and unhappiness do not exist outside the mind; they are feelings and thus part of our mind. Therefore, it is only by controlling our mind that we can permanently stop our problems and make ourself and others truly happy. The 21 Buddhist meditation practices presented in this book are actual methods to control our mind so as to experience lasting inner peace. This is an indispensable handbook for those seeking happiness and meaning in their lives.Trade ReviewIlluminates the enormous potential for peace and happiness within us all. - Kathleen Dowling Singh, PhD, psychologist/author; A profound illumination of our human experience and our potential for deep inner freedom. - Arturo Sanchez, Professor, Columbia University; This insightful book offers peace of mind in these troubled times. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking happiness or greater meaning in their lives. - Thomas Mitchell, Professor/author, Indiana University; One can instantly sense the value of this book. It is designed as a straightforward handbook for those wishing to use the tool of meditation. The book shines. - The New Humanity; An excellent introductory guide to meditation and manual for those who wish to start practising. - World Religions in Education; The author both delights in and has a profound insight into the dynamics of these meditation techniques.- Tibetan ReviewTable of ContentsPreface PART ONE: Foundation Introduction What is Meditation? The Benefits of Meditation How to Begin Meditation Background Knowledge Required for Meditation How to Meditate PART TWO: The Twenty-one Meditations the initial scope 1. Our Precious Human Life 2. Death and Impermanence 3. The Dangers of Lower Rebirth 4. Refuge Practice 5. Actions and Their Effects the intermediate scope 6. Developing Renunciation for Samsara the great scope 7. Developing Equanimity 8. Recognizing that all Living Beings are our Mothers 9. Remembering the Kindness of Living Beings 10. Equalizing Self and Others 11. The Disadvantages of Self-cherishing 12. The Advantages of Cherishing Others 13. Exchanging Self with Others 14. Great Compassion 15. Taking 16. Wishing Love 17. Giving 18. Bodhichitta 19. Tranquil Abiding 20. Superior Seeing 21. Relying Upon a Spiritual Guide Conclusion Appendix I : Liberating Prayer and Prayers for Meditation Appendix II: A Commentary to The PreparatoryPractices Appendix III: A Special Breathing Meditation Appendix IV: A Suggested Retreat Schedule Appendix V: The Commitments of Going for Refuge Appendix VI: A Traditional Meditation on Emptiness Appendix VII: The Kadampa Way of Life Glossary Bibliography Study Programmes of Kadampa Buddhism Tharpa Offices Worldwide

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Book SynopsisThese books give a clear explanation of the essence of Buddhism and its relevance to modern living from which everyone, Buddhist or non-Buddhist, can benefit. With beautiful illustrations throughout and addressing the reader in a mature style, these books take on the life and teachings of Buddha as a basis for exploring many of the issues and concerns faced by children and young pople today. And although these books are written principally for children, everyone - parents, teachers and people of all ages - can benefit from reading these books and learning from the teachings of Buddha. This set of four includes: 1. 'The Story of Angulimala' - overcoming anger with kindness. 2. 'The Story of Buddha' - how a prince became Buddha. 3. 'What is Buddhism?' - understanding Buddha's teachings. 4. 'What is Meditation?' - meditation for a peaceful mind. Note for teachers and parents: Series suitable for Key Stages 1 to 3.Table of Contents1. 'The Story of Angulimala' - A beautifully illustrated story of hope and personal transformation, from the life of Buddha, that addresses many of the issues confronting children today. Themes include: How to stop being angry and harmful; How to be calm and peaceful; How to be loving and kind toward each other. 2. 'The Story of Buddha' - The story of Buddha's life is timeless and is as relevant today as it was 2500 years ago when Buddha was alive. It shows how we can learn to maintain a peaceful mind all the time so that we can be happy all the time, and this way fulfil our own wishes as well as the wishes of all our friends. Few can fail to be inspired by this powerful story. 3. 'What is Buddhism?' - This book introduces the mind, as distinct from the brain, and invites the reader to explore and develop their mind using scientific methods taught by Buddha. It shows how the problems we encounter in life do not exist outside of ourself, but are part of our mind that experiences unpleasant feelings. Learning to control our mind, especially our desire, is the only way to bring all our problems to an end. 4. 'What is Meditation?' - We know from our own experience that when our mind is peaceful we are happy all the time, even if our external conditions are poor; but when our mind is not peaceful we are not happy, even if our external conditions are excellent. The method to make our mind peaceful is training in meditation. This book explains a simple breathing meditation suitable for all ages and briefly introduces more advanced forms of meditation.

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Book Synopsis'We often say: My mind, my mind. But if someone were to ask us: What is your mind? We would have no correct answer. This is because we do not understand the nature and function of the mind correctly.' - Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. How to Understand the Mind offers us deep insight into our mind. It shows us how an understanding of our mind's nature and functions can be used to improve our lives practically, in our everyday experience. It begins by guiding us to develop and maintain a light, positive mind. It then explains how to recognize and abandon mental states that harm us, and shows us in how to replace them with peaceful beneficial states. The book goes on to describe different types of mind in detail, revealing the depth and profundity of the Buddhist understanding of the mind. The book concludes with a detailed explanation of meditation, which we use for controlling and transforming our mind until we attain a lasting state of joy, independent of external conditions.Trade Review'Astonishingly, what has been produced here is actually a new and self-explanatory Buddhist commentarial text composed in English.' - Buddhist Studies ReviewTable of ContentsIntroduction PART ONE: What is Our Mind?; How the Mind is Able to Move The Gross, Subtle and Very Subtle Minds; Primary Minds and Mental Factors; The Five All-accompanying Mental Factors; The Five Object-ascertaining Mental Factors; The Eleven Virtuous Mental Factors; Virtue, Non-virtue and Delusion;The Six Root Delusions; The Twenty Secondary Delusions; The Four Changeable Mental Factors; PART TWO: Conceptual and Non-Conceptual Minds; Sense and Mental Awarenesses; Direct Perceivers; Subsequent Cognizers; Re-cognizers; Correct Beliefs; Non-ascertaining Perceivers; Non-deluded Doubts; Wrong Awarenesse;s Valid and Non-valid Cognizers; Meditation: Meditation of a person of initial scope; Meditation of a person of middling scope; Meditation of a person of great scope; Conclusion; Dedication; Appendix I - The Condensed Meaning of the Text; Appendix II - Sadhanas 'Liberating Prayer', 'Essence of Good Fortune'; Glossary; Bibliography; Study Programmes of Kadampa Buddhism; Tharpa Offices Worldwide; Index

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Book SynopsisA detailed and practical explanation of one of Buddhism's best-loved teachings, Eight Verses of Training the Mind, by the great Tibetan Bodhisattva, Langri Tangpa. Clear methods are simply presented for transforming all life's difficulties into valuable spiritual insights, for improving our relationships, and for bringing greater patience, empathy and compassion into our daily life. These methods have inspired generations of Buddhist practitioners for almost a thousand years, and brought lasting peace, inspiration and serenity to countless people. Now, with this book, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso shares the immeasurably rich insight of this ancient wisdom to help us find greater happiness and meaning in our busy, modern lives. With this revised presentation, The New Eight Steps to Happiness, Geshe Kelsang re-introduces us to the essential practices of Training the Mind. He not only challenges our entire understanding of the world, but also challenges us to transform ourself into the greatest being we can possibly become!Table of ContentsIllustrations pvii; Acknowledgements pviii; Introduction p1; Bodhisattva Langri Tangpa p13; The Pre-eminent Qualities of these Instructions p21; The Preliminary Practices p29; Learning to Cherish Others p49; Enhancing Cherishing Love p63; Exchanging Self with Others p89; Great Compassion p121; Wishing Love p135; Accepting Defeat and Offering the Victory p149; Taking and Giving p159; The Precious Mind of Bodhichitta p181; Training in Ultimate Bodhichitta p201; How to Integrate the Practice of these Instructions p251; Dedication p259; Appendix I - The Root Text: Eight Verses of Training the Mind p260; Appendix II - The Condensed Meaning of the Commentary p263; Appendix III - Sadhanas Liberating Prayer p270; Essence of Good Fortune p272; Prayers for Meditation p285; Appendix IV - The Kadampa Way of Life p293; Glossary p303; Bibliography p317; Study Programmes of Kadampa Buddhism p322; Tharpa Offices Worldwide p327; Index p329;

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Book SynopsisRevised and clarified to guide the meditator through the profound and world-transforming practice of Mahamudra: the very essence of Buddha's teachings of Sutra and Tantra. Reveals the uncommon practice of Tantric Mahamudra of the Ganden Oral Lineage which the author received directly from his Spiritual Guide, Vajradhara Trijang Rinpoche. Following the root text of the Mahamudra - The Main Path of the Conquerors by the First Panchen Lama - this remarkable book provides easy-to-understand explanations and extremely clear insights based on the author's experience during many years of retreat. The author concisely explains the entire spiritual path from the initial preliminary practices to the final completion stages of Highest Yoga Tantra, which enable to attain full enlightenment in this life. Includes precious meditation instructions on tranquil abiding, superior seeing, the yoga of the central channel, the yoga of the drop, and the yoga of wind.Trade ReviewGeshe Kelsang Gyatso both delights in and has a profound insight into the entire range of the teachings of Buddha. Difficult technical points are rendered into pleasantly readable prose, and the text as a whole is both absorbing and illuminating. - Tibetan Review; Geshe Kelsang Gyatso is a highly respected meditation master and scholar of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition. - Spirituality and Health; Geshe Kelsang Gyatso illuminates the very heart of Buddhist thought and practice. - BooklistTable of ContentsIllustrations; PART ONE: THE GENERAL EXPLANATION OF THIS PRACTICE: IntroductionThe Practice of the Preliminaries; The Actual Practice of Mahamudra; PART TWO: THE HUNDREDS OF DEITIES OF THE JOYFUL LAND ACCORDING TO HIGHEST YOGA TANTRA: THE GURU YOGA OF JE TSONGKHAPA AS A PRELIMINARY PRACTICE FOR MAHAMUDRA; PART THREE: THE NEW ESSENCE OF VAJRAYANA: HERUKA BODY MANDALA SELF-GENERATION PRACTICE, AN INSTRUCTION OF THE GANDEN ORAL LINEAGE: The Practice of the Preliminaries; The Actual Practice of Self-Generation; PART FOUR: ESSENCE OF THE FIVE STAGES OF COMPLETION STAGE OF HERUKA: Appendix I: Guidelines for the Practice of the Four Great Preliminary Guides of Mahamudra; Appendix II: 'Liberating Prayer'; Appendix III: 'Quick Path to Great Bliss', the Extensive Self-Generation Sadhana of Vajrayogini; Appendix IV: An Essential Commentary to the Eleven Yogas of Vajrayogini; Appendix V: 'The Blissful Path', the Condensed Self-Generation Sadhana of Vajrayogini; Appendix VI: 'The Uncommon Yoga of Inconceivability'; Appendix VII: 'Keajra Heaven', the Essential Commentary to the Practice of 'The Uncommon Yoga of Inconceivability'; Appendix VIII: 'Prayers of Request to the Mahamudra Lineage Gurus'; Glossary; Bibliography; Study Programmes; Index

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Book SynopsisAlthough Tantra is very popular, not many people understand its real meaning. Some people deny Buddha's Tantric teachings while others misuse them for worldly attainments. Actual Tantra, also known as 'Secret Mantra' or 'Vajrayana', is a special method taught by Buddha to purify our world, our self, our enjoyments and our activities. If we put this method into practice following the instructions of a qualified Tantric Spiritual Guide we will very quickly attain enlightenment. In this authoritative book Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche provides a detailed and comprehensive explanation of the essential practices of the four classes of Tantra as taught by Buddha. Drawing on his own experience from many years in Tantric retreat he shows how people in the modern world can enter, make progress on, and finally complete the Vajrayana path to enlightenment.Table of ContentsIllustrations pvi; Acknowledgements pvii; Introduction p1; The Lower Tantras p27; Highest Yoga Tantra p55; Generation Stage p87; Isolated Body p121; Isolated Speech and Isolated Mind p169; Illusory Body, Clear Light and Union p201; The Final Results p225; Dedication p241; Appendix I - The Condensed Meaning of the Text p243; Appendix II - The Preliminary Practices p261; Liberating Prayer p263; A Handbook for the Daily Practice of Bodhisattva Vows and Tantric Vows p265; Great Liberation of the Mother p281; Great Liberation of the Father p293; An Explanation of the Practice p305; Glossary p313; Bibliography p329; Study Programmes of Kadampa Buddhism p335; Tharpa Offices Worldwide p340; Index p342; Further Reading p358; Finding Your Nearest Kadampa Meditation Centre p360;

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Book SynopsisA clear and comprehensive explanation of the entire path to enlightenment. We all have the potential for self-transformation, and a limitless capacity for the growth of good qualities, but to fulfil this potential we need to know what to do along every stage of our spiritual journey. With this book, Geshe Kelsang offers us step-by-step guidance on the meditation practices that will lead us to lasting inner peace and happiness. With extraordinary clarity, he presents all Buddha's teachings in the order in which they are to be practised, enriching his explanation with stories and illuminating analogies. This is a perfect guidebook to the Buddhist path.Trade Review'Geshe Kelsang Gyatso both delights in and has a profound insight into the entire range of the teachings of Buddha. Difficult technical points are rendered into pleasantly readable prose, and the text as a whole is both absorbing and illuminating.' - Tibetan Review; 'This book is invaluable.' - World ReligionsTable of ContentsIllustrations; Acknowledgements; Preface; PART ONE - FOUNDATIONS AND THE INITIAL SCOPE: The Stages of the Path; The Qualities of the Author; The Qualities of the Teaching; Listening to and Teaching Dharma; Preparing for Meditation; What is Meditation?; Relying upon a Spiritual Guide; Our Precious Human Life; Meditation on Death; The Sufferings of the Lower Realms; Going for Refuge; Karma; PART TWO - THE INTERMEDIATE SCOPE: Developing the Wish to Attain Liberation; The Four Noble Truths; Meditation on True Sufferings; Delusions and Actions, Death and Rebirth; The Twelve Dependent-related Links; The Wheel of Life; The Path to Liberation; PART THREE - THE GREAT SCOPE: Entering the Mahayana; Developing Bodhichitta; Engaging in a Bodhisattva's Actions; Training the Mind in Tranquil Abiding; Training the Mind in Superior Seeing; Progressing through the Spiritual Grounds and Paths; The Vajrayana Paths; Full Enlightenment; Dedication; Appendix I - The Condensed Meaning of the Text; Appendix II - Sadhanas: 'Liberating Prayer', 'Essence of Good Fortune', 'Prayers for Meditation; Glossary; Bibliography; Study Programmes of Kadampa Tradition; Tharpa Offices Worldwide; Index

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Book SynopsisThe heart of Buddha's teachings is unconditional love and compassion. In this inspiring explanation of the popular Buddhist poem Training the Mind in Seven Points, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso reveals powerful and far-reaching methods for us to develop these altruistic states. Ancient meditative techniques that have been tried and tested for centuries are brought alive and made relevant to our everyday experiences. Also included is a practical explanation of how we can transform our day-to-day problems--even the most demanding and difficult conditions--into opportunities for personal and spiritual development. By pointing the way to an unchanging freedom and happiness, this immensely readable book challenges us to grow, and will have a remarkable impact on our life.

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Book SynopsisWe are living in an age of climate and ecological emergency. Buddhist teacher and Nonviolent Communication trainer Shantigarbha suggests practical ways to make a difference. With personal stories, examples and guided reflections you will learn to work with doubt, overwhelm, grief and anger; engage with the science of the climate debates; free yourself to align with life; and act with courage, humour and generosity.Trade Review'One thing is certain: no meaningful systemic change in response to the ecological and climate emergency faced by all planetary life will be possible without a shift in human consciousness. This beautifully crafted, accessible book skilfully weaves Buddhist teachings, a generous account of the author's personal journey and a passionate political and ethical commitment to an empathic path of transformation. Deeply practical, balanced and thoughtful, this book is a trustworthy, insightful companion for the development of the conscious change and enlightened action now so urgently mandated by planetary challenges.' - Anna Grear, founder of the Global Network for the Study of Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE); Editor in Chief Journal of Human Rights and the Environment; 'I enjoy how Shantigarbha brings Buddhism and Nonviolent Com-munication (NVC) together when sharing very alive examples of waking up to our burning house.' - Kirsten Kristensen, co-founder of LIVKOM, Life-Enriching Communication and Institute of NVC in Denmark; 'How can Buddhism help us understand and respond to the greatest challenge that humanity has ever faced? The Buddha lived in a very different time and place, but his teachings have important ecological implications for us today. The Burning House provides a welcome and very accessible introduction to the relevant teachings and how to embody them in our practice and in our activism.' - David Loy, author of Ecodharma: Buddhist Teachings for the Ecological Crisis; 'What the world needs now is love in action. Shantigarbha traces a path for us to follow, beginning with attending to our needs. When we use our energy to cultivate our own vitality, we naturally use the abundance we discover in the service of life. Shantigarbha shows how each of us can transform our insight into action, and take affirmative steps to address the suffering wrought from climate change. May all who read Shantigarbha's words be motivated to take action, for the love of all.' - Jim Manske, CNVC Certified Trainer, author of Pathways to Nonviolent Communication; 'The writer Shantigarbha, as a Buddhist activist, explains the problem through a Buddhist perspective, as a crisis of empathy, connection and community. Through stories from the Buddhist tradition, 'The Burning House', and other stories, he calls for a creative way to face the climate and ecological emergency. As a practitioner of Nonviolent Communication, he guides the reader through practical ways to deal with emotional outbursts that the crisis could provoke. The guided reflection after each chapter draws the reader deeper into the empathic presence. Indeed, a timely book.' - Christlin Rajendram, S. J., Certified Trainer and Assessor with the International Center for Nonviolent Communication; 'The ecological crisis is nothing if not a spiritual crisis, a crisis of meaning and direction for our civilization. This book approaches that crisis from a beautifully Buddhist and yet non-denominational perspective. It could help us to awaken. The Burning House is approachably written and abides by the precautionary principle: moving as we are in a fog, it behoves us to slow down. Take a pause, and read this book.' - Professor Rupert Read, author of This Civilization Is Finished, and former student of Thich Nhat Hanh and Joanna Macy; 'In this book by Shantigarbha, you'll find concrete and accessible ways to engage with the climate and ecological emergency. Sharing his own journey and accumulated wisdom, Shantigarbha offers a truly Buddhist perspective on the emergency - helping us to recognize, deal with our responses to, and find a way out of the 'burning house' that we are in. He evokes what a Buddhist response could look like, from environmental ethics to compassion, from humour to transforming grief into gratitude. The final section of the book then focuses on wisdom-imbued action, with concrete steps on how we might proceed next in our work to put out the fires of this burning house, our precious planet.' - Vajrashura, Dharma teacher in the Triratna Buddhist CommunityTable of ContentsAbout the author; Author's acknowledgements; Publisher's acknowledgements; Audio downloads; Introduction; 1. A Crisis of empathy; 2. Crisis? What crisis?; 3. Touching the earth; 4. Environmental ethics; 5. Compassionate action based on wisdom; 6. The five precepts; 7. The burning house; 8. Climate comedy; 9. Transforming anger; 10. Ecological grief; 11. Gratitude; 12. Nonviolent social change; 13. Be the change; 14. Climate justice and nonviolent disruption; 15. Final thoughts: the beauty and the terror; Appendix A - List of needs; Appendix B - List of feelings; Appendix C - Retreat centres; Suggestions for further reading; Notes; Index

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Book SynopsisBuddhist meditator and scholar Bhikkhu Analayo introduces the Buddhist backgrounds to mindfulness, ranging from mindful eating to its formal cultivation as satipatthana (the foundations of mindfulness). He also offers a historical survey of the development of mindfulness in different Buddhist traditions. Providing an accessible guide, he offers practical exercises on how to develop mindfulness. The orally transmitted early teachings examined here provide a range of perspectives on mindfulness, with a clear overarching focus on the role of mindfulness in the path to `awakening', to an understanding of reality as it is. Analayo shows how mindfulness is a central tool for recognizing the influence of greed, anger and delusion, and how to emerge from these to progress on the path of practice to liberation. He shows how mindfulness brings about a clear vision of reality, fostering a gradual freeing of the mind from these influences, and enabling us to be more fully in touch with what is taking place and remain in the present; we learn to slow down and come to our senses. As well as being directed within, Analayo demonstrates how mindfulness helps us discern how what we do impacts others, and thus naturally strengthens our compassion, helping us avoid harming others and ourselves. Mindfulness is something to be practised, and at the end of each chapter Analayo provides instructions for developing mindfulness step by step, bringing it into our personal experience.Trade Review'A wise and helpful presentation of essential elements of the Buddha's teaching . . . it will be of great value for those who wish to put these teachings into practice. A wonderful Dharma gift.' - Joseph Goldstein, author of Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening; 'A gold mine for anyone who is working in the broad field of mindfulness-based programs for addressing health and wellbeing in the face of suffering - in any or all of its guises.' - Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Meditation Is Not What You Think: Mindfulness and Why It Is So Important; 'Bhikkhu Analayo offers simple skilled mindfulness practices for each of the dimensions of this book. Open-minded practices of embodied mindfulness are described, beginning with eating and health, and continuing with mindfulness examining mind and body, our relation to death, and the nature of the mind itself. Significantly, by highlighting the earliest teachings on internal and external mindfulness, Bhikkhu Analayo shows how, individually and collectively, we can use mindfulness to bring a liberating understanding to ourselves and to the pressing problems of our global, social, modern world. We need this more than ever.' - Jack Kornfield, from the Foreword

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Book SynopsisPrajnaketu takes us into the world of the cyberloka - the online realm in which so much of our lives now take place. In this short, punchy and often funny book, Prajnaketu offers deep Buddhist insights that help us manage and flourish in the digital age. Going beyond questions of digital diet, he shows how our perception is shaped by being online, and how we can work with awareness and mindfulness as we negotiate hyperavailability, superstimulation and what and how to broadcast on social media. He also starts a long overdue conversation between Buddhist ethics and the world of pornography.Trade Review"An engagingly personal dialogue between Buddhism and how to survive life in the metaverse. Read it and be enlightened!" - Robin Dunbar, Professor, University of Oxford; "Offers a clear-sighted and refreshing Buddhist critique of our digital lives, free from dogma and moralizing." - Shantigarbha, activist, mediator and author of 'The Burning House: A Buddhist Response to the Climate and Ecological Emergency' and 'I'll Meet You There: A Practical Guide to Empathy, Mindfulness and Communication'; "A deeply thoughtful, nuanced, contemporary account of how Buddhists can relate to their digital life." - Vidyamala Burch, author of 'Mindfulness for Health' and 'Mindfulness for Women', and Co-Founder of The Breathworks FoundationTable of ContentsAbout the Author Author's Acknowledgements Publisher's Acknowledgements 1 Introduction 2 Hyperavailability, data diets, and depth 3 Sex in the cyberloka 4 The Facebook Sutta (SN 21.13) 5 Postscript

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Book SynopsisThis book is about psychotherapy. Written as a collection of tales about encounters between a therapist and his clients, it reveals why many people would turn to therapy for help, what they might look for and what they might actually find. For Bob Chisholm, a therapist who draws on Buddhist psychology in dealing with his clients, helping someone find self-insight has less to do with understanding their life diagnostically than it does with appreciating their experience existentially – that is to say, in all its inherent mystery. The idea that uncovering mystery could be a way of freeing someone from their psychological misery may seem almost magical: like consulting a ouija board or gazing into tea leaves. But it is in the details and happenstance of a person’s life – in the suspense of the everyday world – that the actual mystery of a person’s life is sure to be found. Finding that mystery, and helping people come to terms with it, is what this book is all about. Written for anyone training or practising as a psychotherapist, or considering taking up therapy as a client, 'Uncovering Mystery in Everyday Life' is also for anyone interested in the existential wonder of being human.Table of ContentsIntroduction Encounter Following the Money Mindfully Love and Death The Kindness of Others A Question of Love Crooked Timber In Dreams Begin Responsibilities Confessions of a Buddhist Psychotherapist Closure

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisThe Lotus Sūtra is one of the most important sūtras in Mahāyāna Buddhism. Translated by Kumārajīva in the 5th century, its teachings have inspired many Buddhist scholars such as Chih-i and Saichō from the Tiantai (Tendai) tradition, Dōgen from the Zen tradition and Nichiren the 13th century Kamakura founder and reformer. There is a relative lack of scholarly works that are devoted to an examination of how its philosophical ideas were received and developed throughout history. This book remedies that lack by tracing the origin and development of Lotus Sūtra thought, and interprets the text from the perspective of the doctrine of Buddha-nature in Mahāyāna Buddhism.Table of ContentsChapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: The Philosophy of the Lotus SūtraChapter 3: The Lotus Sūtra in China Chapter 4: The Lotus Sūtra in JapanChapter 5: The Lotus Sūtra TodayChapter 6: Conclusion

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Book SynopsisA concise and up-to-date guide to the history, teachings, and practice of Buddhism by two luminaries in the field of world religions.Trade Review"A valuable primer on Buddhism East and West, old and new." -- David Loy, author of A Buddhist History of the West "Stellar...outstanding...Highly recommended." -- Library Journal "Those seeking to dip a toe into Buddhism will find this an inviting pond." -- Dallas Morning News "A useful primer for those new to the study of Buddhism." -- Indianapolis Star "This book is an impressive and accessible overview of the core teachings [of Buddhism]. -- Inquiring Mind Magazine

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Book SynopsisIn 1941, philosopher and poet Gendun Chopel (1903-51) sent a large manuscript by ship, train, and yak across mountains and deserts to his homeland in the northeastern corner of Tibet. He would follow it five years later, returning to his native land after twelve years in India and Sri Lanka.Trade Review"Gendun Chopel's Grains of Gold is the magnum opus of arguably the single most brilliant Tibetan scholar of the twentieth century, and the team of Donald S. Lopez Jr. and renowned translator Thupten Jinpa is the ideal combination of talents to expertly render its eclectic contents into faithful but accessible English. This excellent translation will be enthusiastically (and gratefully) welcomed by both scholars and general readers." -Lauran Hartley, Columbia University"

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