East Asian and Indian philosophy Books

Book SynopsisTechniques and practices for skin renewal and ageless vitality. Presenting a holistic approach to skin health, Taoist Master Mantak Chia and skin care expert Anna Margolina, Ph.D., share ancient Taoist wisdom and chi kung practices for a radiant complexion and ageless beauty. The authors explain how Beauty Chi Kung exercises holistically restore the skin’s ability to renew itself by regenerating your skin’s chi, or vital energy. They offer Taoist energy-cultivation practices that work with the body’s major systems to promote optimum circulation, relax muscular tensions, reduce inflammation, restore immune system balance, and recharge your batteries to ensure the vitality of your body’s outermost layer. Looking at common challenges to skin health, the authors reveal the key role of the skin in detoxification and what needs to be done to ensure the toxins your body is expelling do not stagnate at the skin level. They offer tips for r

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Book SynopsisRainbow Painting is saturated with direct, pithy instruction, the very quintessence of the Buddhist Spiritual approach. Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche speaks from experience, expressing what he himself has undergone, instructing us in the way we should train in a complete and unmistaken manner. We come to understand that to become enlightened we must experience what was always present within us. The ultimate object of realization, the natural state of mind, unmistakenly and exactly as it is, need not be sought for elsewhere but is present within ourselves. Stability in this unexcelled state of unity is not attained independently of means, proper conduct and knowledge of the view. We should unite view and conduct; and this book contains the key points for doing just that.“Some people have the habit of thinking that something is bound to happen after practicing meditation a while — like going through school — that after ten or fifteen years you end up with a degree. That’s the idea in the back of people’s minds: “I can make it happen! I can do enlight¬enment!” Not in this case, though. You cannot make enlightenment, because enlightenment is unconstructed. Realizing the awakened state is a matter of being diligent in allowing nondual awareness to regain its natural stability. It is difficult to reach enlightenment without such dili¬gence, without undertaking any hardship.”---Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche“Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche is someone who has lived at length in mountain hermitages, spent many years in retreat, and done a considerable amount of meditation training. For this reason, he gives the very quintessence of the sacred Dharma spoken by our compassionate Buddha Shakyamuni. He speaks from experience, expressing what he himself has undergone, instructing us in the way we should practice in a complete and unmistaken manner. These teachings, saturated with direct, pithy instruction, are unique.”---Chökyi Nyima RinpocheThe ultimate object of realization, the natural state of mind, unmistakenly and exactly as it is, need not be sought elsewhere than in ourselves. We become enlightened through experiencing what is always innately present. Stability in this unexcelled unawareness is attained when view, the knowledge aspect and conduct, the means are integrated. In Rainbow Painting, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche presents the practices to accomplish this unity.

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Book SynopsisNow available in its complete form, including the Chinese characters and English text, this essential examination of the art of strategic thinking features extensive commentary and an insightful historical introduction written by Lionel Giles, its original translator

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Book SynopsisDid you know that there is a connection between neuroscience and free will? While humans have the power to make conscious choices, they are heavily influenced by social media, YouTube, the news they watch and read, their surrounding community, the people they interact with on a daily basis, and even the places they shop. Philosopher, spiritual figure, and author Jiddu Krishnamurti reminds us, “We look to someone to tell us what is right or wrong behavior, what is right or wrong thought, and in following this pattern our conduct and our thinking became mechanical, our responses automatic.”The good news is you can choose all of the things that influence your freedom. Krishnamurti’s Freedom from the Known will show you how to free yourself from the tyranny of the expected, so you can open the door to transform society and your relationships. You’ll discover the primary cause of disorders is the reality promised by s

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Book SynopsisA translation of the Mengzi (Mencius). Accompanied by selected passages from the classic commentary of Zhu Xi - one of the insightful interpreters of Confucianism - it provides readers with a parallel to the Chinese practice of reading a classic text alongside traditional commentaries.Trade ReviewThe Mengzi is one of the richest philosophical texts in classical Chinese philosophy, and Van Norden's translation is among the few that do it justice. His translation is further distinguished by its accessibility and is unique in including substantial selections from later commentaries. As such it is both an essential scholarly resource and a great introduction to Confucian thought.--Justin Tiwald, San Francisco State UniversityBryan W. Van Norden accomplishes two impressive feats in this important new translation of Mengzi (Mencius). First, he presents the text in a traditional fashion, with indispensable commentary interwoven into--yet always clearly distinct from—the text. This opens up the text to modern readers as never before in a translation. Second, he both lets us hear the voice of the text's greatest commentator (Zhu Xi from the twelfth century) and gives us a translation faithful to the text's original time and philosophy. The supple balance with which Van Norden pulls this off makes this translation perfect for students, general readers, and scholars alike.--Stephen Angle, Wesleyan UniversityThis is the most accurate, readable, and philosophically revealing version of the Mengzi available. It has the added virtue of a running commentary that weaves together Zhu Xi's explanation of Mengzi's thought with Van Norden's exposition and insights and his selected bibliographies. The inclusion of Zhu Xi's comments allows readers to appreciate more fully not only the depth of Mengzi's original vision but also its power to inspire creative interpretation by one of the greatest minds of the neo-Confucian period. The result is a magnificent work that brings the study and understanding of Mengzi's philosophy to an unprecedented and most impressive level of rigor, sophistication, and interest.--Philip J. Ivanhoe, City University of Hong Kong

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Book Synopsis* Silver Medal Winner in the 2010 BOTYA Awards Body, Mind and Spirit Category *The Chinese horoscope holds the key to a better understanding of self and others, and to living a life of harmony.Not just the year of birth, but also the month, day and hour have significance in true Chinese astrology. Master Zhongxian Wu explains how to find your power animal symbols, and how to learn from their wisdom. By fully understanding what each animal signifies, and how they relate to the major hexagrams of the Yijing, he shows that they can help you to find inner peace and live in harmony with family, friends, the wider community, and with nature. Using the wisdom of the twelve animal symbols as a guide, you will learn how to better understand your personality, and make choices that profoundly influence your health, relationships, career, and finances, allowing you to live up to your greatest potential.Making the wisdom of the twelve Chinese animals accessible to the Western reader for the first time in its relationship with the Yijing, this book will be an illuminating read for anyone interested in understanding themselves and their life patterns better, Chinese astrology, and the Yijing.Trade ReviewA fascinating and enjoyable read. I can thoroughly recommend this book an excellent introduction to the ancient Chinese art of astrology and divination. -- Eternal SpiritMaster Zhongxian Wu has made a complex Eastern topic accessible to the Western reader. Far beyond other sources, this book helps you understand your destiny as described by the 12 animal symbols of Yijing wisdom, helping you reach your personal potential. It helps you accurately determine your yearly, monthly and even hourly animal symbol and explains how each can affect your health, relationship, career, and finances. Master Wu writes "Life is Magic"... and this book helps you understand it. -- Steve Rhodes, editor of Qi: The Journal of Traditional Eastern Health and Medicine (Qi Journal)This book offers a way to understand and experience ancient wisdom and mysticism in order to live a harmonious and joyful life. It is an excellent text book! I love the last passage - "My life is in my hands and not controlled by Fate." In order to capitalize on this truth, we all need teachers. Master Wu's book says to me, We all can achieve true autonomy, living in harmony by understanding the ancient teachings of interpersonal and intrapersonal connection with the celestial and terrestrial movements. I highly recommend this book for searchers and practitioners of the Dao. -- Dr. Alex Feng PhD, OMD, LAc, Founder Zhi Dao Guan, The Taoist Center, Oakland, CA

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Book SynopsisBrook Ziporyn's carefully crafted, richly annotated translation of the complete writings of Zhuangzi—including a lucid Introduction, a Glossary of Essential Terms, and a Bibliography—provides readers with an engaging and provocative deep dive into this magical work.Trade Review"More than any other translation, Ziporyn's style manages to convey the playfulness, exuberance, and strangeness of the original text while maintaining a level of precision that allows for careful study and philosophical analysis. There are no perfect translations, but it is hard to imagine that a translation of the Zhuangzi can get any better than this one." —Franklin Perkins, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa"The importance of Ziporyn's translation of the complete Zhuangzi lies in its much-needed hermeneutic approach, which is attuned to the text's multivocal structure and its resistance to interpretive closure. With its carefully crafted supporting material that provides context for various debates, addresses philological matters, and explains different possibilities of translation, Ziporyn's Zhuangzi is not only uncompromisingly rigorous but also accessible to students of early Chinese philosophy and literature. "At the same time, in tune with the moods and quirks of this idiosyncratic classic, Ziporyn's aptly playful English renderings bring out the humorous and provocative tone of the text, making this book an utterly absorbing read. "Ziporyn's previous, abridged translation, Zhuangzi: The Essential Writings, presented with selected commentaries on the 'Inner Chapters,' has already replaced its predecessors and proved to be an indispensable resource for students and scholars alike. This new and unabbreviated translation will surely earn its place in no time as the authoritative translation of the complete Zhuangzi." —Sonya Özbey, University of Michigan

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Book SynopsisFrom the foremost living authority on Yoga comes the most comprehensive and reliable treatment of the subject available today. This is a work of impeccable scholarship by a person who has dedicated his life to the understanding and practice of yoga. The book offers a complete overview of every Yogic tradition, from the familiar to the lesser-known forms. It also covers all aspects of Hindu, Buddhist and Jaina Yoga, including history, philosophy, literature, psychology and practice. In addition, included are translations of twenty Yoga treatises and the first translation of the Goraksha Paddhati.

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Book SynopsisCandrakirti''s Introduction to the Middle Way (Madhyamakavatara) is a central work of Buddhist philosophy for two reasons. First, it provides an introduction to Madhyamaka, one of the three major philosophical schools of Buddhist thought (the other two being Abhidharma and Yogacara). Second, within Madhyamaka, Candrakirti''s text occupies a very prominent role. This is primarily due to its enormous influence in Tibet, where Candrakirti''s work became the main entry-point into the study of Madhyamaka thought. While the historical importance of the Introduction to the Middle Way for understanding a major section of Buddhist thought is evident, what makes it particularly interesting for students is the role it plays as an ''introduction''. It is one of Candrakirti''s earlier works and presents a comprehensive guide to the key philosophical ideas and problems of Madhyamaka thought.This Oxford Guide is for the philosophically interested student or scholar reading the Introduction to the Middle Way. Westerhoff''s commentary focuses on the philosophical content of the text, using Candrakirti''s auto-commentary as the main explicatory resource.

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Book SynopsisWang Hui asks what it means for China to be modern and for modernity to be Chinese. Is there a rupture between tradition and modernity in China? How has Confucian thought evolved? Did China become modern in the Middle Ages? A deep intellectual history, The Rise of Modern Chinese Thought revises our senses of both modernity and Chinese philosophy.Trade ReviewA monumental contribution to the debate in China about how to respond to the civilizational challenge of the West. -- David K. Schneider * Law & Liberty *An important book…In his account of Chinese history, Wang aims to dissolve the binary between two views: one sees China as an empire opposed to the modern Western nation-state; the other argues that an early nation-state structure built upon a system of centralized administration (junxian zhi) appeared long ago in Chinese history. -- B.V.E. Hyde * Intellectual History Review *This is the long story of modern Chinese intellectual and philosophical scholarship, with a cast of thousands and an array of conceptual categories…and yet somehow Hill makes it all inviting reading. -- Steve Donoghue * Open Letters Review *Reading The Rise of Modern Chinese Thought is a little like sitting down for a hundred-course banquet. Wang Hui’s Summa Theologica for China helps us better understand how the historical glide path of Chinese culture (about which even many ‘China specialists’ have gaps to fill) somehow led to the embattled twentieth century. -- Orville Schell, Director of the Center on U.S.–China Relations at the Asia Society and author of Wealth and Power: China's Long March to the Twenty-First CenturyWang Hui’s masterful work guides the reader through more than a thousand years of China’s intellectual, philosophical, and political discourse with sophistication and nuance. Its analytical power is evident on almost every single page. -- Jude Blanchette, author of China's New Red Guards: The Return of Radicalism and the Rebirth of Mao ZedongA deliberately paradoxical, remarkably sourced, magical history of ideas. After finishing this fastidiously edited English translation, you may concur with or take distance from the categories Wang Hui uses, but there is no question that your basic assumptions about writing Chinese intellectual history will have shifted. Wang's challenge cannot be ignored. -- Tani Barlow, author of In the Event of WomenThis translation is a monumental achievement, and not only for bringing the work to new audiences. This masterful and comprehensive book effectively mobilizes Chinese political and social thought—including Wang’s own ideas as well as the historical texts he engages, some of which are presented in English for the first time—as a living resource for addressing the global dilemmas of our time. -- Leigh K. Jenco, author of Making the Political: Founding and Action in the Political Theory of Zhang ShizhaoAfter almost two decades, Wang Hui’s magnum opus finally arrives in the English-speaking world with this fine translation. The Rise of Modern Chinese Thought has been important in China. The volume before you now promises to change the global conversation on Chinese intellectual history. -- Isabella M. Weber, author of How China Escaped Shock Therapy: The Market Reform DebateThrough historical analysis Wang not only uncovers resources that could be useful in envisioning a new future, but also attempts to redefine China…This is an extremely important gesture in contemporary China because Wang is one of the rare intellectuals who combine critical thought about modernity with serious reflection on tradition. -- Viren Murthy * Modern Intellectual History *

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Book SynopsisThe Japanese philosopher Miki Kiyoshi opens doors to all those interested in rethinking the problem of imagination, myth, and technology.Miki Kiyoshi is one of the central figures in the Kyoto School, often spoken of as the heir of Kitaro Nishida. Born in Japan in 1897, he died in prison shortly after the end of World War II in 1945 at the age of 48.Miki''s The Logic of Imagination first appeared in the journal Thought in 1937 under the themes of Myth, Institution, and Technology. The next part, Experience, was serialized in the same journal and Miki continued to work on the final part, but was never completed it due to his arrest.This translation makes this seminal work available in English for the first time. Featuring an introduction and accompanied throughout by contextual notes, it includes essential information about Miki''s life and work. Miki's philosophy of the imagination anticipated later theories found fi

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Book SynopsisDiscover the tranquil wisdom of Chomei's 13th-century masterpiece, Hojoki, as it unveils the beauty of imperfection and the serenity of a simple life amidst the chaos of existence.

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Book SynopsisStephen Sturgess draws on decades of study and practice to present a comprehensive and engaging account of Raja and Kriya Yoga. These authentic forms represent true Yoga, and their practice provides spiritual seekers with the ultimate pathway towards self-realisation, inner freedom and ineffable peace and joy. The book begins by providing a complete view of Yoga and its spiritual dimensions, including an account of the history and philosophy of all Yoga traditions. It then covers Raja and Kriya Yoga in depth, with instruction on the asanas, breathing techniques and meditations of each tradition. With a glossary and an introduction to Sanskrit, this book provides everything a truth-seeker needs to embark on the journey to spiritual awakening. A complete guide to Raja and Kriya Yoga, this book is an incomparable resource that will be a valued addition to the shelves of yoga practitioners and yoga teachers as well as anyone with an interest in yogic or Vedic traditions.

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Book SynopsisIn THE CIRCLE OF THE SUN, Traleg Rinpoche asks: What is the starting point on the spiritual journey? It is possible that it is seeing oneself as inadequate. It is heartening that the Dzogchen and Mahamudra approach says that what one wants to attain is already present. There is no gap between what one is and what one wants to attain. In Dzogchen, the starting point, which is also the end point of the spiritual journey is having an understanding of the nature of mind. Tsele Natsok Rangdrol''s exposition of the Dzogchen path elucidates that the path rests on the practices of trekchö, which means cutting through, and thögal, which means leaping over. Trekchö practice entails settling the mind in its own natural state without effort and without the rejection of thoughts and emotions. Thögal practice makes use of images and visions to realize the innate wakefulness. Rinpoche explains there are many perspectives designed to help us uncover our authentic state, the ground-of-being, as it is o

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Book SynopsisIn Buddhism As Philosophy, Mark Siderits makes the Buddhist philosophical tradition accessible to a Western audience. Offering generous selections from the canonical Buddhist texts and providing an engaging, analytical introduction to the fundamental tenets of Buddhist thought, this revised, expanded, and updated edition builds on the success of the first edition in clarifying the basic concepts and arguments of the Buddhist philosophers.Trade Review"Since the publication of the first edition of Buddhism As Philosophy, the need for such a book has only grown as even more undergraduate programs are teaching Buddhist philosophy and looking for accessible materials that still do justice to the tradition’s intellectual complexity. This updated version retains the first version's successful balancing act between fidelity to primary source material and application to general philosophical problems. The book teaches students how to do philosophy at the same time as it teaches them the particularities of Buddhist philosophy. Siderits moves fluidly from translations of primary texts to their explication and evaluation, both modeling expert philosophical methodology and pausing to explain to students how philosophical argumentation works." —Malcolm Keating, Yale-NUS College​"I use Buddhism As Philosophy as the core text of my 'Non-Western Philosophy' topics course; I’m a huge fan. Siderits's exposition provides a deeply illuminating, historically and philosophically informed walk through the underlying motivations for and diverse Indian Buddhist approaches to the doctrines of 'no-self' and 'emptiness.' This new edition improves on the previous with a new organizational structure, and clarified and expanded argumentation and discussion. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical underpinnings and consequences of Buddhism." —Jessica Wilson, University of TorontoPraise for the first edition: "Buddhism As Philosophy . . . makes an excellent text for advanced undergraduate students. . . . [A] main strength of this book is the way it brings Indian Buddhist philosophy into active dialogue and debate with well-established currents of Anglo-American analytical philosophy." —Evan Thompson, Philosophy East and West

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Book SynopsisIn a time of social distancing and isolation, a meditation on the beauty of solitudeTrade Review“The Art of Solitude is a marvel. Carefully constructed and entirely original, it sings with a haunting melody of wistful contemplation. Reading it is a true joy.”—Mark Epstein, author of Thoughts without a Thinker“Forty years in the making, The Art of Solitude could not have come at a better time or from anyone else. Beautifully written, Batchelor’s wisdom shines through on every page, leading the reader on an engaging and illuminating journey into the very needed solitude about which he writes.”—Judson Brewer, author of The Craving Mind“With his long experience of Buddhism, meditation, and teaching it is hard to think of anyone better equipped to write about the art of solitude than Stephen Batchelor.”—Tim Parks“In this exquisite contemplation on solitude that is intimate, brave, and wise, Batchelor brings us to the vast center of his life and realization.”—Roshi Joan Halifax, Abbot, Upaya Zen Center“Batchelor's graceful writing guides us to the innermost recesses of solitude, illuminating it as a practice, way of life, and inescapable dimension of being human.”—Evan Thompson, author of Why I Am Not a Buddhist and Waking, Dreaming, Being

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Book SynopsisA stunning Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition of the world's most famous military treatise, by the award-winning translator of the Tao Te Ching and the I Ching For more than two thousand years, Sun-tzu's The Art of War has provided leaders with essential advice on battlefield tactics and management strategies. An elemental part of Chinese culture, it has also become a touchstone for the Western struggle for survival and success, whether in battle, in business, or in relationships. Now, in this crisp, accessible translation, eminent scholar John Minford brings this seminal work to life for today's readers. Capturing the literary quality of the work, Minford presents the core text in two formats: first, the unadorned ancient words of wisdom ascribed to Sun-tzu; then, the same text with extensive running commentary from the canon of traditional Chinese commentators. A lively, learned introduction and other valuable apparatus round out thisTrade Review"The strategic advice that [The Art of War] offers concerns much more than the conduct of war. It is an ancient book of proverbial wisdom, a book of life." —John Minford, from the IntroductionTable of ContentsThe Art of WarAcknowledgmentsIntroductionA Note on the TextSuggestions for Further ReadingA List of Chinese CommentatorsCronologiesDyanastiesHistorical EventsThe Art of WarChapter 1: Making of PlansChapter 2: Waging of WarChapter 3: Strategic OffensiveChapter 4: Forms and DispositionsChapter 5: Potential EnergyChapter 6: Empty and FullChapter 7: The FrayChapter 8: The Nine ChangesChapter 9: On the MarchChapter 10: Forms of TerrainChapter 11: The Nine Kinds of GroundChapter 12: Attack by FireChapter 13: EspionageThe Art of War with CommentaryChapter 1: Making of PlansChapter 2: Waging of WarChapter 3: Strategic OffensiveChapter 4: Forms and DispositionsChapter 5: Potential EnergyChapter 6: Empty and FullChapter 7: The FrayChapter 8: The Nine ChangesChapter 9: On the MarchChapter 10: Forms of TerrainChapter 11: The Nine Kinds of GroundChapter 12: Attack by FireChapter 13: Espionage

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Book SynopsisThis volume offers a rich and accessible introduction to contemporary research on Buddhist ethical thought for interested students and scholars, yet also offers chapters taking up more technical philosophical and textual topics. A Mirror is For Reflection offers a snapshot of the present state of academic investigation into the nature of Buddhist Ethics, including contributions from many of the leading figures in the academic study of Buddhist philosophy. Over the past decade many scholars have come to think that the project of fitting Buddhist ethical thought into Western philosophical categories may be of limited utility, and the focus of investigation has shifted in a number of new directions. This volume includes contemporary perspectives on topics including the nature of Buddhist ethics as a whole, karma and rebirth, mindfulness, narrative, intention, free will, politics, anger, and equanimity.Trade ReviewThe paradox of Buddhist ethics, as any philosophical paradox, can humble people in their dangerous religious certainties and start them wondering afresh about the best way to live their lives during troubling times. Buddhist practitioners are also credited to provide strong exemplars in the world of people who practice what they preach (or rather, decline to preach) and who strive for modest, morally exemplary lives, grounded in kindness. After all, if there is no self, what point exists in acting self-servingly? For these reasons alone, Buddhist ethics constitutes a worthy contemplation. Thanks for this new volume that rethinks how that paradox arises and how it may be resolved, for that inquiry itself constitutes good works. * Wendy C. Hamblet, Metapsychology *Table of ContentsForeword Owen Flanagan Introduction Jake H. Davis Part One: Buddhist Ethics and Western Categories 1. 'It's ethics, Jim, but not as we know it': Reflections on the Absence of Moral Philosophy in Buddhism Damien Keown 2. The Nature of a Buddhist Path Bronwyn Finnigan 3. Buddhist Moral Thought and Western Moral Philosophy Christopher W. Gowans Part Two: Constructing Buddhist Ethics 4. Zen Buddhism and the Space of Ethics Jin Y. Park 5. Buddhist Ethics: A Perspective Graham Priest 6. Breaking Good: Moral Agency, Neuroethics, and the Spontaneity of Compassion Christian Coseru Part Three: Karma and Rebirth 7. Modern and Traditional Understandings of Karma Charles Goodman 8. Buddhism without Reincarnation? Examining the Prospects of a "Naturalized" Buddhism Jan Westerhoff 9. The Problems and Promise of Karma from an Engaged Buddhist Perspective Sallie B. King Part Four: Mindfulness, Memory, and Virtue 10. Ethical Reading and the Ethics of Forgetting and Remembering Sara McClintock 11. Mindfulness and Ethics: Attention, Virtue and Perfection Jay L. Garfield 12. "When You Know for Yourselves": Mindfulness, Wisdom, and the Qualities of Heart Jake H. Davis Part Five: Intention and Action 13. The Dynamics of Intention, Freedom, and Habituation according to Vasubandhu's Abhidharmakosabhasya Karin Meyers 14. What Do Buddhists Think about Free Will? Riccardo Repetti 15. Buddhist Reductionist Action Theory Mark Siderits Part Six: Politics, Anger, and Equanimity 16. The Inherent Dignity of Empty Persons Christopher Kelley 17. Ethics Without Justice: Eliminating The Roots Of Resentment Amber Carpenter 18. Equanimity in Relationship: Responding to Moral Ugliness Emily McRae Index

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Book SynopsisA dizzying array of meditation practices have emerged in the long and culturally diverse history of Buddhism. Yet if you are seeking out meditation today in North America and Europe-and, increasingly, in the rest of the world as well-you will likely encounter one particular type, often under the label mindfulness. You will find it taught in Zen monasteries, Insight Meditation centers, health clubs, colleges, psychologists'' offices, corporations, liberal Christian churches, prisons, and the US military. Countless articles in popular magazines promote its benefits, often depicting it as a panacea for problems as wide-ranging as anxiety, depression, heart disease, eating disorders, and psoriasis. There are books on mindfulness and meditation not only by Buddhist monks but also by medical doctors, psychologists, computer engineers, business consultants, and a US congressman. Meditation teachers will sometimes say that this is the same meditative practice that the Buddha taught over 2500 yTrade ReviewRecommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty; general readers. * Choice *

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Book Synopsis“Leys has made Confucius speak English more persuasively than any translator to date. His achievement is one of simplicity. . . . Leys sees his task as making the Confucius of the Analects fully persuasive again. He does this brilliantly.” —Stephen Owen, The New RepublicTrade Review"A subtle and elegant [translation]." -- Jonathan Spence - New York Review of Books

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Book SynopsisRichard King provides an introduction to the main schools of Hindu and Buddhist thought, emphasising the living history of interaction and debate between the various traditions.Trade ReviewRichard King has written a clear, modern, up-to-date, wide-ranging and accessible introduction to the principal doctrinal postiions and debates in Indian philosophy. It is a balanced book, free from bias in favour of one school or another. King is an accurate, reliable and well-informed expositor. I would say that it is by some margin the best popular survey of Hindu and Buddhist philosophical doctrines on the market today. Richard King has written a clear, modern, up-to-date, wide-ranging and accessible introduction to the principal doctrinal postiions and debates in Indian philosophy. It is a balanced book, free from bias in favour of one school or another. King is an accurate, reliable and well-informed expositor. I would say that it is by some margin the best popular survey of Hindu and Buddhist philosophical doctrines on the market today.

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Book SynopsisWe all possess the powerful life force of Kundalini that can open us to genius states, psychic powers, and cosmic consciousness. For over ten years, this trusted guide has been teaching people how to safely and effectively use this potent natural energy for spiritual development. This updated edition of Kundalini and the Chakras features all new artwork and an added index. Genevieve Lewis Paulson's warm, practical approach and transformative techniques for cleansing, balancing, and developing the chakras and their energies will help you realize your own tremendous creative and spiritual potential.

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Book SynopsisWhat is the Nature of the social order that unquestionably produced one of the greatest and longest lasting civilizations known to humankind? Alain Daniélou, distinguished Orientalist, musicologist, and linguist, reveals the foundations of India''s culture and the four aims of human life as they are viewed in the traditional Hindu society: virtue on a moral plane; success on the material and social planes; pleasure on a sensual plane; and liberation on a spiritual plane. Coexistent with these aims are the four stages of life: quest for knowledge, family life, retreat into the forest, and renunciation. A four-fold division can be found in all traditional societies throughout the world, symbolically representing the progression of creative consciousness into physical reality. In India, this division is reflected in the caste system, a social order that differs profoundly from those accepted in the contemporary Western world. Exploring he fundamental concepts of the caste sy

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Book SynopsisUsing eleven Zen stories as a starting point and diving deep into their mysterious world, he then weaves his magical clarity on many diverse contemporary topics. From the true meaning of happiness to an understanding of the process of death, it''s all here. To begin reading this book is to commence a journey into the world of wonder.Buddha’s disciple Subhuti is showered with blossoms upon experiencing sublime emptiness. But isn’t emptiness usually an absence of something? Through his commentary on this seemingly strange tale, Osho illuminates the vast difference between a negative and a sublime emptiness.

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Book SynopsisUnderstanding Yoga Therapy offers a comprehensive and accessible perspective on yoga therapy as a complementary, integrative route to promoting whole-person well-being.Readers will come away from the book understanding how the philosophy, texts, and teachings of yoga benefit a wide range of health conditions. The book is split into three helpful sections: Part I discusses foundational texts and their interpretations; Part II outlines the biopsychosocial-spiritual and neurophysiological model of integrative health pertinent to yoga therapy; and Part III focuses on practical applications separate from the more familiar diagnosis-driven models. Experiential activities and case studies throughout the text illuminate how yogic practices can be incorporated for optimal health. Bridging the ancient and modern, philosophical and scientific, Understanding Yoga Therapy offers a clear explanatory framework for yoga therapists, physicians, allied and complemenTrade Review"Understanding Yoga Therapy is an impressive, well-integrated, and scholarly volume. Marlysa Sullivan leads the reader through an intellectual journey exploring the interesting philosophical roots and health benefits of yoga. We learn that yoga is not merely a collection of physical postures and movements, but a system of instruction that leads to a deeper understanding of the human experience with the capacity to expand human potential." — Stephen W. Porges, PhD, Distinguished University Scientist, Indiana University; Professor of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina; and author of The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory: The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe"It is rare indeed to find a book that seamlessly blends the science, philosophy, and spirituality of yoga in a reader-friendly manner. This book integrates the best of the healing wisdom of Eastern traditions with the empirical approach of modern medical science, enhancing our perception of health, healing, life, and beyond. An especially admirable quality is the way Marlysa Sullivan has interwoven relevant stories from Indian culture into various chapters, thus enabling us to somatically "feel" the experiential aspects of yoga therapy. She is indeed one of the brightest minds in modern yoga therapy, and this work is a substantial contribution to the field, indispensable to anyone wishing for a comprehensive understanding of yoga’s transformative nature." —Yogacharya Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, MBBS, MD (AM), DSc (Yoga), C-IAYT, director, CYTER of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth "Understanding Yoga Therapy is about personal transformation. This unique book demonstrates how the ancient teachings of yoga can be used clinically to help alleviate suffering. Yoga therapy is a new field of study, and there are many misunderstandings about how it is similar to or different from professions such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and even psychotherapy. Once you read this book, you will understand how yoga therapy is uniquely positioned to help each of us heal our deepest spiritual wounds, as well as create balance on our mental, emotional, and physical layers. Yoga therapy is person-centered and focuses on improving function and also creating well-being—this book clearly explains how it works." —Amy Wheeler, PhD, C-IAYT, president, International Association of Yoga Therapists, and founder, Optimal State Yoga Therapy "Marlysa Sullivan takes her readers through an engrossing journey in Understanding Yoga Therapy. The journey begins with the yoga texts—the Upanishads, the epics, and of course, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. The concepts relevant to yoga therapy are explained in a way which makes them easy to understand and apply in daily life. Concepts essential to understanding yoga, such as dharma, the trigunas, the pancha koshas, and the kleshas, are explained with clarity, with well-designed diagrams and appropriate references. Marlysa Sullivan ties up these concepts with those drawn from contemporary neuroscience and psychology, giving readers clarity about the psychophysiology of happiness, the polyvagal theory, and how yoga helps to achieve holistic healing and well-being. This book is a must-read for all those in yoga, as the author blends ancient and contemporary concepts concisely and in a very readable way." —Shirley Telles MBBS, PhD (Neurophysiology), DSc (Yoga), director, Patanjali Research Foundation "With this masterful text, Marlysa Sullivan has cemented her position as the premier scholarly author on the application of yoga as a therapy. Unlike other texts that have overlaid a range of yoga principles and practices onto a contemporary health-science framework, Understanding Yoga Therapy is strongly founded in the full yoga framework, upon which a number of health-science principles are layered. All the multifaceted aspects of the yoga darshan as a path to well-being are explored, and the interweaving of contemporary health-science is remarkably seamless and honors the rich yoga tradition. This well-referenced and thorough text should become an essential part of every yoga professional’s library." —Leigh Blashki, C-IAYT, founder, Australian Institute of Yoga Therapy "Understanding Yoga Therapy is an impressive, well-integrated, and scholarly volume. Marlysa Sullivan leads the reader through an intellectual journey exploring the interesting philosophical roots and health benefits of yoga. We learn that yoga is not merely a collection of physical postures and movements, but a system of instruction that leads to a deeper understanding of the human experience with the capacity to expand human potential." — Stephen W. Porges, PhD, Distinguished University Scientist, Indiana University; Professor of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina; and author of The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory: The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe "It is rare indeed to find a book that seamlessly blends the science, philosophy, and spirituality of yoga in a reader-friendly manner. This book integrates the best of the healing wisdom of Eastern traditions with the empirical approach of modern medical science, enhancing our perception of health, healing, life, and beyond. An especially admirable quality is the way Marlysa Sullivan has interwoven relevant stories from Indian culture into various chapters, thus enabling us to somatically "feel" the experiential aspects of yoga therapy. She is indeed one of the brightest minds in modern yoga therapy, and this work is a substantial contribution to the field, indispensable to anyone wishing for a comprehensive understanding of yoga’s transformative nature." —Yogacharya Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, MBBS, MD (AM), DSc (Yoga), C-IAYT, director, CYTER of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth "Understanding Yoga Therapy is about personal transformation. This unique book demonstrates how the ancient teachings of yoga can be used clinically to help alleviate suffering. Yoga therapy is a new field of study, and there are many misunderstandings about how it is similar to or different from professions such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and even psychotherapy. Once you read this book, you will understand how yoga therapy is uniquely positioned to help each of us heal our deepest spiritual wounds, as well as create balance on our mental, emotional, and physical layers. Yoga therapy is person-centered and focuses on improving function and also creating well-being—this book clearly explains how it works." —Amy Wheeler, PhD, C-IAYT, president, International Association of Yoga Therapists, and founder, Optimal State Yoga Therapy "Marlysa Sullivan takes her readers through an engrossing journey in Understanding Yoga Therapy. The journey begins with the yoga texts—the Upanishads, the epics, and of course, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. The concepts relevant to yoga therapy are explained in a way which makes them easy to understand and apply in daily life. Concepts essential to understanding yoga, such as dharma, the trigunas, the pancha koshas, and the kleshas, are explained with clarity, with well-designed diagrams and appropriate references. Marlysa Sullivan ties up these concepts with those drawn from contemporary neuroscience and psychology, giving readers clarity about the psychophysiology of happiness, the polyvagal theory, and how yoga helps to achieve holistic healing and well-being. This book is a must-read for all those in yoga, as the author blends ancient and contemporary concepts concisely and in a very readable way." —Shirley Telles, MBBS, PhD (Neurophysiology), DSc (Yoga), director, Patanjali Research Foundation "With this masterful text, Marlysa Sullivan has cemented her position as the premier scholarly author on the application of yoga as a therapy. Unlike other texts that have overlaid a range of yoga principles and practices onto a contemporary health-science framework, Understanding Yoga Therapy is strongly founded in the full yoga framework, upon which a number of health-science principles are layered. All the multifaceted aspects of the yoga darshan as a path to well-being are explored, and the interweaving of contemporary health-science is remarkably seamless and honors the rich yoga tradition. This well-referenced and thorough text should become an essential part of every yoga professional’s library." —Leigh Blashki, C-IAYT, founder, Australian Institute of Yoga Therapy Table of ContentsPart I. 1. The Path of Yoga 2. Dharma, Ethics, and Right Action 3. Foundations for Discernment: Understanding Prakriti, Purusha, and the Gunas 4. Yoga Psychology: Body-Mind-Environment Relationships 5. The Subtle Body: Exploring Tantra and Prana Part II. 6. Explanatory Model for Yoga Therapy to Promote Health and Well-Being 7. Neurophysiological Perspectives 8. From Conceptual to Practical Application: Biomedical and Yogic Perspectives on Yoga Therapy Part III. 9. Setting the Stage for Well-Being: Practices for Cultivating Sattva Guna and Regulating the Body-Mind 10. Cultivating Healthy Sensitivity: Interoceptive Skills and Discriminative Wisdom 11. Yogic Practices to Support Resilience and Transformation

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Book SynopsisThis collection is intercultural philosophy at its best. It contextualizes the global significance of the leading figures of Western phenomenology, including Husserl, Hegel, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Buber and Levinas, enters them into intercultural dialogue with the Daoism of Laozi and Zhuangzi and in doing so, breaks new ground. By presenting the first sustained analysis of the Daoist worldview by way of phenomenological experience, this book not only furthers our understanding of Daoism and phenomenology, but delves deeper into the roots of human thinking, aesthetic expression, and its impact on the modern social world. The international team of philosophers approach the phenomenological tradition in the broadest sense possible, looking beyond the phenomenological language of Husserl. With chapters on art, ethics, death and the metaphor of dream and hermeneutics, this collection encourages scholars and students in both Asian and Western traditions to rethink their philosophical beaTrade ReviewThis book covers a lot of ground, and the participation of multiple scholars raises the bar. Bridging the gap between Asian and Western Philosophy, it will be of interest to researchers, graduate students, and advanced undergraduates. * Alan Fox, Professor of Asian and Comparative Philosophy and Religion, University of Delaware, USA *David Chai has assembled an excellent cast of comparative philosophers and has given the field a must-read volume on phenomenology and Daoist philosophy. The book is a landmark study with this intercultural encounter being enhanced with chapters by some of comparative philosophy’s luminaries and complemented by a host of other prominent thinkers. New ground is broken, especially for the Western phenomenological experience when it is brought into dialogue with the philosophies of Laozi and Zhuangzi. Likewise, traveling the pathway from its counterpart’s direction, Daoist philosophy is enriched by its encounter with Western phenomenological thinking and analysis. Spanning the expanse of aesthetics and art, death, silence, ethics, the dream-world, and hermeneutics, Daoist Encounters with Phenomenology tenderly touches all these topics—and even more—in a variety of significant ways. * David Jones, Professor of Philosophy, Kennesaw State University, Atlanta, USA *Table of ContentsList of Contributors Acknowledgements Introduction Part 1. Precursory Encounters: Unearthing Fertile Seeds 1. Daoism and Hegel on Painting the Invisible Spirit: To Color or Not? David Chai (Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong) 2. Two Portrayals of Death in Light of the Views of Brentano and Early Daoism, Mary I. Bockover (Humboldt State University, USA) 3. In the Light of Heaven before Sunrise: Zhuangzi and Nietzsche on Transperspectival Experience, Graham Parkes (University College Cork, Ireland and East China Normal University, China) Part 2. Early Encounters: Nourishing the Sprouts of Possibility 4. The Pre-objective and the Primordial: Elements of a Phenomenological Reading of Zhuangzi, Kwok-Ying Lau (Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong) 5. Martin Buber’s Phenomenological Interpretation of the Daodejing, Eric S. Nelson (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong) 6. Martin Buber’s Dao, Jason M. Wirth (Seattle University, USA) 7. The Dao of Existence: Jaspers and Laozi, Mario Wenning (University of Macau, China) Part 3. Mature Encounters: A Forest of Ideas 8. Heidegger and Daoism: A Dialogue on the Useless Way of Unnecessary Being, Bret W. Davis (Loyola University Maryland, USA) 9. Heidegger and Zhuangzi: The Transformative Art of the Phenomenological Reduction, Patricia Huntington (Arizona State University, USA) 10. The Reader’s Chopper: Finding Affinities from Gadamer to Zhuangzi on Reading, Sarah A. Mattice (University of North Florida, USA) 11. Unknowing Silence in the Daodejingand Merleau-Ponty, Katrin Froese (University of Calgary, Canada) Part 4. A Most Urgent Encounter: Re-Rooting Our Futural Selves 12. Grounding Phenomenology in the Daodejing: The Anthropocene, the Fourfold, and the Sage, Martin Schönfeld (University of South Florida, USA) Index

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Book SynopsisAs an atheistic religious tradition, Buddhism conventionally stands in opposition to Christianity, and any bridge between them is considered to be riddled with contradictory beliefs on God the creator, salvific power and the afterlife. But what if a Buddhist could also be a Classical Theist?Showing how the various contradictions are not as fundamental as commonly thought, Tyler Dalton McNabb and Erik Baldwin challenge existing assumptions and argue that Classical Theism is, in fact, compatible with Buddhism. They draw parallels between the metaphysical doctrines of both traditions, synthesize their ethical and soteriological commitments and demonstrate that the Theist can interpret the Buddhist's religious experiences, specifically those of emptiness, as veridical, without denying any core doctrine of Classical Theism. By establishing that a synthesis of the two traditions is plausible, this book provides a bold, fresh perspective on the philosophy of religion and reinvigorates philosoTrade ReviewClassical Theism and Buddhism is a refreshingly generous and well-defended counterpoint to all those who fashionably maintain the incommensurability of Buddhism-Christianity and East-West. * Kelly James Clark, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Ibn Haldun University, Turkey *A timely contribution to cross cultural philosophy of religion, combining rigour and philosophical imagination to open a door between Buddhism and Classical Theism. * Victoria S. Harrison, Professor of Philosophy, University of Macau, China *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Can a Buddhist be a Classical Theist? 2. Buddhist Objections to Classical Theism 3. Contemporary Objections to Classical Theism 4. Buddhist Ethics and Theistic Ethics: A Synthesis 5. Buddhist Soteriology and the God of Abraham 6. Pluralism Part 1 7. Pluralism Part 2 Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisSikhism, one of the major spiritual-philosophical traditions of India, is often missing from discussions of cross-cultural philosophy. In this introduction, Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair, an internationally acknowledged expert in Sikh studies, provides the first rigorous engagement in the West with Sikh philosophy. Sensitive both to the historical formation of Sikh thought, and to the decolonial context in which he writes, Mandair examines some of the key concepts of Sikh philosophy and how they inform its vision of life. He asks what Sikh philosophical concepts tell us about the nature of reality, the relationship between mind/self/ego, and whether it is possible to discern broad contours of a Sikh logic, epistemology and ontology. Additionally, the book looks at how these concepts address broader themes such as the body, health and well-being, creation and cosmology, death and rebirth, the nature of action and intention, bioethics and, a theme that undergirds every chaptTrade ReviewSikh Philosophy is an essential text for scholars, students and practitioners interested in the decolonization of thought and practice. This groundbreaking text offers a response to Western dualism and religious exclusivism by reorienting how we think about the self in relation to God, others, and time. Through Sikh concepts, Arvind Mandair invites the reader to joyfully encounter the act of thinking differently. * Nirinjan Kaur Khalsa-Baker, Senior Instructor of Theological Studies, Loyola Marymount University, USA *Professor Mandair has skilfully presented Sikh philosophy in a manner that liberates it from the Christocentric theological template in which it has so often been read. The book provides an accessible, highly creative and engaging exploration of Gurmat and is recommended for all who wish to explore and understand the rich, multi-layered fabric of Sikh thought. * Richard King, Professor Emeritus of Buddhist and Asian Studies, University of Kent, UK *Table of ContentsPreface & Acknowledgements Glossary Introduction 1. Emergence of Sikh Philosophy 2. Experience 3. Epistemology 4. Consciousness 5. Death, Rebirth & Transmigration 6. Self-Realization: Liberation & Health 7. Bioethics Epilogue Index Appendix

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Book SynopsisIntercultural Phenomenology explores the nature of reality by engaging in a cross-cultural dialogue between two of the most influential philosophical traditions of the 20th century. Drawing on ideas from phenomenology, Japanese philosophy and Zen Buddhism, it follows the philosophers who changed their perception of the world by choosing to suspend judgement. Guided by this philosophical method known as the epoché, or suspension of judgment in ancient Greek, it is an introduction to the philosophy and practice of letting objects in the world speak for themselves. Inspired by Nishida Kitaro's insight that true reality is beyond the subject-object duality, the book uses a series of examples and exercises to explore the background to Husserl's idea of the phenomenological epoché, Hans-Georg Gadamer's emphasis on play in human understanding and the haiku poet Matsuo Basho''s call for a new level of freedom. This practice-oriented approach moves beyond the traditionTrade ReviewThis sparkling book is an antidote to technical philosophy closed to non- specialists. Instead of working through abstract ideas detached from ordinary life, its chapters and exercises open fresh access to philosophy that deepens as well as widens a direct and playful engagement with reality. * John C. Maraldo, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of North Florida, USA *This book presents the dialogue between the phenomenology of Husserl and Heidegger and the Japanese Zen practice integrating philosophy of NIshida and Ueda. In it, the deep dimension of pre-linguistic experience accessible through Husserl's phenomenological reduction is clearly revealed, from which the subject-object duality arises and into which it dissolves. * Ichiro Yamaguchi, Professor emeritus, Faculty of Letters, Toyo University, Japan *Drawing on Japanese and other Asian as well as European thinkers, this refreshingly accessible book reenvisions the phenomenological epoché as a practice of suspending our pre-judgments—of removing our “colored glasses”—so that we can learn to cooperatively play with the various ways in which reality manifests itself. * Bret W. Davis, Professor and Higgins Chair in Philosophy, Loyola University Maryland, USA *Table of ContentsList of Figures Series Editor Preface Acknowledgements Introduction Part I 1. An Invitation to Play with Reality 2. Falling into Play 3. Openness, Playfulness and Freedom 4. Practicing Playing 5. A Conversation with Contemplative Traditions Part II 6. Practicing Phenomenology—the Historico-Theoretical Context 7. Practicing Phenomenology—the Personal Side in Practice and ‘Play’ 8. Japanese Perspectives on ‘Practice’, ‘Nature’, and ‘Play’ Recommended Readings Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisSantideva's 8th century Mahayana Buddhist classic, the Guide to the Practices of Awakening (Bodhicaryavatara), has been a source of philosophical inspiration in the Indian and Tibetan traditions for over a thousand years. Stephen Harris guides us through a philosophical exploration of Santideva's masterpiece, introducing us to his understanding of the compassionate bodhisattva, who vows to liberate the entire universe from suffering. Individual chapters provide studies of the bodhisattva virtues of generosity, patience, compassion, and wisdom, illustrating the role each plays in Santideva's account of well-being and moral development. Harris also provides in-depth analysis of many of Santideva's most influential arguments, demonstrating how he employs reasoning as a method to cultivate moral character. As the first book-length English language philosophical study of Santideva's most influential text, this will be essential reading for students and scholars of BuddhisTrade ReviewThis is an essential companion to the study of the most influential treatise on ethics in Mahayana Buddhism. Harris clarifies the logic of Santideva's moral theory and demonstrates convincingly the foundational role of virtue in his conception of well-being. * Damien Keown, Emeritus Professor of Buddhist Ethics, University of London Goldsmiths, UK *In developing a case for a virtue-theoretic interpretation of Santideva’s Bodhicaryavatara, Stephen Harris sheds considerable light on the overall structure of this key text of Mahayana ethics. This will be a welcome addition to the growing body of literature on the topic. * Mark Siderits, Emeritus Professor, Illinois State University, USA *Santideva's Bodhicaryavatara is the most extensive and profound articulation of Mahayana Buddhist ethical thought, and is a masterpiece of moral psychology that should be studied by anyone interested in human ethical cultivation or in ethical theory. Stephen Harris's study of this text provides the contemporary reader with the means to enter into Santideva's project, to read and to understand his arguments, and to appreciate his vision of moral excellence and the path to achieving that excellence. The exposition is always clear and reliable, while remaining precise and philologically rigorous, with careful attention to other recent literature. Harris' interpretation is compelling, and he places Santideva in conversation with contemporary metaethical theory and moral psychology with great skill. This book is an enormous contribution to Buddhist Studies and to Ethical theory, and will be of great value to students and to neophytes in Buddhist ethical thought as well as to scholars immersed in Mahayana studies. * Jay L Garfield, Doris Silbert Professor in the Humanities and Professor of Philosophy and Buddhist Studies, Smith College, USA *With clear and insightful analysis, Harris brings Santideva’s Guide into conversation with contemporary philosophical ethics, showing how compassion can complement self-interest, emphasizing the sociality and rationality of the bodhisattva ideal. This is a landmark contribution to the philosophical study of Buddhist ethics, a rich resource for students, scholars, and practitioners. * William Edelglass, Director of Studies, Barre Center for Buddhist Studies USA and Associate Professor, Emerson College, USA *Table of ContentsSeries Editor Preface Acknowledgements Introduction 1. Selfless Character: Virtue without a Self 2. Giving as Abandoning 3. Three: Patience and the Irrationality of Anger 4. Compassion and Desire 5. Joy 6. Wisdom and the Transformation of Experience 7. Dedication: Until the End of Space and Time Conclusion Notes Works Cited Index

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisThe Book of Tea (1906) is a book-length essay by Okakura Kakuzō. Connected to the author’s overall project of celebrating Japanese culture and emphasizing the role of the East in creating the modern world, The Book of Tea is considered a classic work on the subject. His description of chadō, or teaism, remains incredibly influential in England and around the Western world. “[Teaism] insulates purity and harmony, the mystery of mutual charity, the romanticism of the social order. It is essentially a worship of the Imperfect, as it is a tender attempt to accomplish something possible in this impossible thing we know as life.” Part philosophy, part history, The Book of Tea explores the role of tea in shaping the arts and culture of Japan, China, and the world. Beginning with an investigation of the historical uses of tea, Okakura reflects on the specific techniques of tea brewing, the connections between tea and religion, and the interconnection of tea and the creative arts. Informative and meditative, The Book of Tea is an essential work for tea drinkers everywhere. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Okakura Kakuzō’s The Book of Tea is a classic of Japanese literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisThese ancient texts, attributed to the great Tibetan meditation master Padmasambhava, offer traditional Vajrayana Buddhist teachings on the nature of the fundamental elements that make up our world. The translator’s commentaries show us a practical view of how to use these life-energies for personal development.

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Book Synopsis"An elegant and comprehensive critical edition of the Dao De Jing." ― KIRKUS Review This book examines one of the world’s most enduring and influential literary works through the timeless art of qigong. In his words, Lao Tzu (or Laozi), author of the Dao De Jing, embodies qigong principles, advocating the cultivation of mind and body. Only when we know qigong can we know Lao Tzu—and only when we know Lao Tzu can we know the Dao De Jing. Lao Tzu’s writing has been read, translated, and discussed around the globe. It deals with principles that transcend time and culture. That is why this ancient text has been reimagined countless times in books on business, relationships, and parenting—but never with a focus on the art of qigong. This makes the Dao De Jing: A Qigong Interpretation unique and indispensible. Many chapters in the Dao De Jing purely talk about qigong, especially the practices of regulating the body, breathing, mind, qi, and spirit. Dr. Yang, a renowned author, scholar, and martial artist, devoted decades to researching and writing this book. He interprets and analyzes the 81 chapters of the Dao De Jing. His commentary will bring new insight, inspiration, and depth to your understanding of Lao Tzu’s words—and to your qigong practice. This book includes The complete Dao De Jing in English and its original Chinese text Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming’s commentary and analysis of each chapter Numerous illustrations and diagrams The Dao De Jing: A Qigong Interpretation is not a book of instruction. It is about the Way—the path before us, in qigong and in life, where what you achieve comes through your own understanding.Trade Review"A writer offers a translation of a famous Chinese work with commentary from a qigong perspective." "The Dao De Jing is an ancient Chinese classic by Lao Tzu that serves as the foundational text of Taoism as well as an influence on the development of Confucianism and Buddhism. Qigong is a holistic practice of movements, breathing, and meditation that can aid in healing, spiritual growth, and martial arts training. The Dao De Jing was based on Lao Tzu's “personal understanding about the Dao and the De through his personal qigong practice,” writes Yang (Pain-Free Joints, 2017, etc.) in his introduction. “Since the Dao of managing the body is similar to the Dao of managing a country,” Lao Tzu “offered moral guidance to historical Chinese rulers.” After some preliminary material supplying a context for Lao Tzu and his work―along with a rundown of some of its underlying philosophical concepts―Yang provides all 81 chapters of the Dao in both the Chinese original and in his English translation. He then delivers both a general interpretation of each chapter's meaning and a qigong-specific analysis. In the case of Chapter 29, for instance (“Doing Nothing―Be Nature”), the general interpretation discusses the concept of wuwei (doing nothing) as it applies to governance: “A ruler should govern according to Nature. Too much of acting on the world (using force) will fail.” The qigong analysis, in turn, is focused on the importance of regulating the mind: “When you practice qigong, your mind must be in a neutral and calm state.” Yang's translations capture the delicate precision of the original while presenting it in highly accessible language. The dual interpretations of the text are an enlightening feature, even for those readers with no prior interest in qigong. The general interpretation is more outward-facing, toward the world; the qigong one is inward-facing, toward the self. Between the two, the full picture of the Dao emerges as an intriguing symmetry. This is a long book (nearly 540 pages) for a relatively short text, but Yang's commentaries greatly aid in understanding Lao Tzu's words and the worldview behind them." "An elegant and comprehensive critical edition of the Dao De Jing." ― KIRKUS Review

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Book SynopsisThis fourth and final Science and Philosophy in the Indian Buddhist Classics volume provides, through extensive passages, a window into the works of the great thinkers from the flowering of philosophy in classical India.This is the second philosophy volume in the Science and Philosophy series. Whereas the first philosophy volume presented the views of the non-Buddhist and Buddhist schools in sequence, the present work selects specific topics for consideration, including the nature of the two truths, the analysis of self, the Yogacara explanation of reality, emptiness in the Madhyamaka tradition, a survey of logic and epistemology, and the Buddhist explanation of language and meaning. Like earlier volumes, it provides, through extensive extracts, a window into the works of the masters of the Nalanda tradition. The final section on language is particularly unique and largely crafted by Thupten Jinpa.

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Book SynopsisA guide to following the footsteps of the Buddha?for the pilgrim in India and at home. The holy sites of India?Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Shravasti, and others? became holy because the Buddha blessed them by performing his enlightened activities there. When we become holy through our practice of the Buddha?s instructions, then the places we go will be made holy, too. Through meditation practice, we can realize and capture what the Buddha described as the profundity of the mind, which is completely peaceful, free from elaboration, luminous, and uncompounded. In this wise, heartfelt, and indispensable guide, Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen takes us on a journey through the major holy sites for Buddhist pilgrimage by offering profound teachings related to each of the sacred places. In Bodh Gaya, the site of the Bodhi tree and the Buddha?s enlightenment, we learn of how the Buddha became enlightened and what it means to take refuge in him; we uncover the profundity of emptiness at the site where the Buddha expounded the Heart Sutra; at the place of the Buddha?s passing, we learn that the legacy of his vast teachings came about through his perfection of bodhicitta?a core quality we can master, too. In chapters based on these and other sacred places, we find that the wisdom the Buddha uncovered is available to us all. The Buddha discovered total satisfaction, the ultimate achievement, and left instructions on how we, too, can achieve the same. We already have this great path; we just have to follow it. In that way, we experience the joy of following the footsteps of the Buddha.

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Book SynopsisSee the formative years of Mahayana Buddhist literature through the lens of the Perfection of Wisdom, expertly analyzed by the venerable scholar-monk Bhikkhu Analayo.In this work we have a rare perspective on the early history of Mahayana Buddhism and the Perfection of Wisdom (Prajnaparamita), as far as this is still accessible in surviving texts. With his characteristic clarity and precision, Bhikkhu Analayo critically analyzes early Perfection of Wisdom literature based on the earliest extant versions of the Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita, or the Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines, one in Chinese and the other in Gandhari—one of the oldest surviving Mahayana manuscripts discovered to date. In reading this text from the viewpoint of early Buddhist literature, the author shows that what has generally been considered a sharp rupture in the formation of the Mahayana turns out to be more of a gradual evolution. With his command of the languages of the ancient Buddhist world, scholar-monk Bhikkhu Analayo sifts through the layers of history and unveils new perspectives on the ideas and figures in early Perfection of Wisdom and Mahayana literature, covering such topics as the rhetoric of emptiness and the emerging bodhisattva ideal, as well as the status of women and the practice of self-immolation. In doing so, Bhikkhu Analayo reveals fresh insights into the gradual development that informs the emergence of early Perfection of Wisdom literature. This is a rare opportunity to peer through a window at the beginnings of Mahayana thought—before the traditions had coalesced into the familiar forms we see today.

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