Buddhism

For those searching for mindful moments or for a more engaged way of navigating life in the twenty-first century, Buddhism for Beginners opens the door to understanding Buddhism's key concepts and practices. The authors tap into their years of training and study in meditation, martial arts, and Eastern philosophy to bring readers a comprehensive introduction to the spiritual tenets and...

"This is the clearest and most precise exposition of Buddhism I have ever read. If you're looking for enlightenment rather than just scholarly knowledge, you'd better read this." – Robert M. Pirsig, author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance When the Buddha was asked to sum up his teachings in a single word, he said, "Awareness" – experiencing...

"Although Alan Watts' famous voice and happy laughter are missing now, his penetrating vision of Buddhism remains, and his lectures become brilliant prose in book form." - Publishers Weekly Buddhism: The Religion of No-Religion presents six powerful essays by Alan Watts, the guru for an entire generation of 20th-century thinkers, writers, and poets. Watts was an engaging speaker and an...

A Beginner's Guide to Tibetan Buddhism offers a ground-level, practice-oriented presentation of Tibetan Buddhism that helps uncover the nature of the mind. This personal and accessible guide is designed to establish progress on the spiritual path. The book begins by awakening students' interest in spirituality and introducing the initial encounter with Tibetan Buddhism. It then guides readers through all the...

The fantastic new gift edition of the bestselling Little Book of Buddhism Discover Buddhism with the world's most revered spiritual leader This jewel of a book offers the core teachings on Buddhism applicable in daily life from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This is a classic timeless collection of advice and teachings about the importance of love and compassion, individual...

Your hands-on guide to this widely practised and ancient religion Buddhism, one of the world's most widely practised religions, is a fascinating yet complex eastern religion that is rapidly spreading throughout western civilisation. What does it mean to be a Buddhist? What are the fundamental beliefs and history behind this religion? Buddhism For Dummies explores these questions and more in...

The Core Teachings of the Dalai Lama series begins with this small book of teachings by His Holiness, the perfect introduction to traditional Tibetan Buddhist thought and practice. His Holiness the Dalai Lama presents the perfect introduction to traditional Tibetan Buddhist thought and practice, covering the Four Noble Truths and two essential texts. There is no one more suited to...

The Buddhist premises, although deceptively simple in their presentation, are highly advanced psychological propositions. Essential Elements of Buddhism presents the foundations of Buddhist thinking in clear terms with some simple diagrammatic illustrations. This new guide is designed to help a student remember the essential points and the natural flow of the ideas, leading to a broader, more detailed study.

The most influential work on Buddhism to be published in the nineteenth century, Introduction à l’histoire du Buddhisme indien, by the great French scholar of Sanskrit Eugène Burnouf, set the course for the academic study of Buddhism—and Indian Buddhism in particular—for the next hundred years. First published in 1844, the masterwork was read by some of the most important thinkers...

With poetry and clarity, Thich Nhat Hanh imparts comforting wisdom about the nature of suffering and its role in creating compassion, love, and joy — all qualities of enlightenment. "Thich Nhat Hanh shows us the connection between personal, inner peace, and peace on earth." - His Holiness the Dalai Lama In The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching, now revised with...

With brief, easily absorbed wisdom from the precepts of Nichiren, a 13th-century Buddhist priest, this collection of day-to-day musings can be enjoyed by casual readers and devoted followers alike. Covering a wide span of topics—from life and death to courage and winning—the practical information and encouragement are ideal for those seeking to find a deeper understanding of this ancient philosophy....

This is a semiotic study of a corpus of texts that Kumârajîva (344-413 CE), Paramârtha (499-569 CE) and Xuanzang (599-664 CE) transmitted from India to China, featuring a critical reading of the Dazhidu Lun (T1509, Mahâ-Prajñâpâramitâ-upadeúa-Úâstra), San Wuxing Lun (T1617, Try-asvabhâva-prakara.na), and Guangbai Lun (T1571, Catu.húataka-úâstra-kârika). Focusing its attention on the Mahâyâna Buddhist notion of samatâ, it identifies a Buddhist...

From the first century, when Buddhism entered China, the foreign religion shaped Chinese philosophy, beliefs, and ritual. At the same time, Buddhism had a profound effect on the material world of the Chinese. This wide-ranging study shows that Buddhism brought with it a vast array of objects, big and small—relics treasured as parts of the body of the Buddha, prayer...

Ritual manuals are among the most common and most personal forms of Buddhist literature. Since at least the late fifth century, individual practitioners—including monks, nuns, teachers, disciples, and laypeople—have kept texts describing how to perform the daily rites. These manuals represent an intimate counterpart to the canonical sutras and the tantras, speaking to the lived experience of Buddhist practice. Conjuring...

A beautifully designed, comprehensive introduction to Buddhist wisdom—uniting ancient teachings, modern insights, and meditative practices in a collectible hardbound edition. A complete guide to Buddhist philosophy, The Buddha Way: Mind Over Matter is organized into six major sections—Curious About Buddhism, Discover the Main Paths, Buddhism 101, The Handbook of a Buddhist, Buddhism and the World, and Famous Faces on the...

A Buddhist teacher shares insights into the prisoner's mindset, something with implications for us all, whether or not we are in a conventional jail. As a prison chaplain, Cuong Lu discovered that when the men inside allowed themselves to feel their pain—including remorse for committing crimes—knowing and feeling the truth became a source of strength for them. This is a...

Beginning in the nineteenth century and continuing to the present day, both Buddhists and admirers of Buddhism have proclaimed the compatibility of Buddhism and science. Their assertions have ranged from modest claims about the efficacy of meditation for mental health to grander declarations that the Buddha himself anticipated the theories of relativity, quantum physics, and the big bang more than...

A page-turner about a woman's struggle in an unapologetic patriarchy, Bride of the Buddha offers the reader a penetrating perspective on the milieu of the Buddha, with a fanciful twist. This is the story of Yasodhara, the abandoned wife of the Buddha. Facing society's challenges, she transforms her rage into devotion to the path of liberation. Concealing her gender, she...

Buddhist Meditation by Kurtis R. Schaeffer is a Tibetan Buddhist anthology of accessible and authentic contemplative exercises designed to help cultivate innate yet undeveloped powers of mind, emotion, and body. A Penguin Classic Drawn from Tibet's rich contemplative literature, Buddhist Meditation offers classic exercises focused on the opportunities and challenges of life. These exercises aim at cultivating inner calm and...

An essential collection of Stephen Batchelor’s most probing and important work on secular Buddhism As the practice of mindfulness permeates mainstream Western culture, more and more people are engaging in a traditional form of Buddhist meditation. However, many of these people have little interest in the religious aspects of Buddhism, and the practice occurs within secular contexts such as hospitals,...

Theravada Buddhism provides a comprehensive introductory overview of the history, teachings, and current practice of an often misunderstood form of one of the world’s oldest religious traditions. Explores Theravada Buddhism’s origins, evolution, teachings, and practices. Considers the practice of Theravada beyond Sri Lanka and Thailand, by exploring a wealth of material from countries including Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Reveals its...

A raucous, irreverent look into the Buddhist and Martial Arts worlds. Can we be martial arts practitioners and Buddhists at the same time? Can these practices actually complement each other, in mindfulness? How do we reconcile Buddhist concepts like non-violence with a fighting practice like judo, karate or jiu jitsu? Long-standing martial arts instructor and meditator Jeff Eisenberg addresses these...

Ritual manuals are among the most common and most personal forms of Buddhist literature. Since at least the late fifth century, individual practitioners—including monks, nuns, teachers, disciples, and laypeople—have kept texts describing how to perform the daily rites. These manuals represent an intimate counterpart to the canonical sutras and the tantras, speaking to the lived experience of Buddhist practice. Conjuring...

This cool, clear-sighted comparative study has no theological axe to grind. It offers a trusty thematic guide to the figureheads of three of the largest religions in the world. The comparative approach is descriptive and even-handed, highlighting both similarities and differences across a range of major areas. The thematic chapters cover: early life, followers, the core message, political attitudes, relations...

A renowned Buddhist teacher’s magnum opus, based on his fresh reading of the tradition’s earliest texts Some twenty-five centuries after the Buddha started teaching, his message continues to inspire people across the globe, including those living in predominantly secular societies. What does it mean to adapt religious practices to secular contexts? Stephen Batchelor, an internationally known author and teacher, is...

A Cultural History of Japanese Buddhism offers a comprehensive, nuanced, and chronological account of the evolution of Buddhist religion in Japan from the sixth century to the present day. Traces each period of Japanese history to reveal the complex and often controversial histories of Japanese Buddhists and their unfolding narratives. Examines relevant social, political, and transcultural contexts, and places an...

The Buddha as man, animal, and god on the path to enlightenment. According to ancient traditions, it takes countless lifetimes to become a Buddha. The Buddha's own path to complete awakening was chronicled in five hundred and forty-seven stories known as the jātakas, which underwent numerous adaptations in the centuries after the Buddha's lifetime. In the fifth or sixth century...

For readers of mythology, an original and introspective journey through the life of the Buddha accompanied by 26 beautiful colour illustrations and 8 meditations. From longtime Zen teacher and poet John Tarrant, this is an original retelling of the foundational myth of Buddhism—the life of the Buddha. Told and retold for centuries, this story holds a special place in the...

Since the early days of Buddhism in China, monastics and laity alike have expressed a profound concern with the past. In voluminous historical works, they attempted to determine as precisely as possible the dates of events in the Buddha's life, seeking to iron out discrepancies in varying accounts and pinpoint when he delivered which sermons. Buddhist writers chronicled the history...

A perfect companion book to be inspired by teachings of the Buddha and other great masters, teachers and writers of all time. Buddha’s Little Book of Life aims to help people on their journey to connect with a spiritual path and connect with their own divinity. Every page features beautiful imagery and profound quotes, sayings, and insights—making it perfect for...

Why I Am Not a Buddhist is a provocative essay challenging the idea of Buddhist exceptionalism, from one of the world’s most widely respected philosophers and writers on Buddhism and science. Buddhism has become a uniquely favoured religion in our modern age. A burgeoning number of books extol the scientifically proven benefits of meditation and mindfulness for everything ranging from...

While early Buddhists hailed their religion's founder for opening a path to enlightenment, they also exalted him as the paragon of masculinity. According to Buddhist scriptures, the Buddha's body boasts thirty-two physical features, including lionlike jaws, thighs like a royal stag, broad shoulders, and a deep, resonant voice, that distinguish him from ordinary men. As Buddhism spread throughout Asia and...

Each time the teachings of the Buddha have entered a new culture outside their Indian birthplace, they have to undergo renewal and reinterpretation so as to gain traction in the new host society. Stephen Batchelor's work represents a landmark in Buddhism's sinking roots in the modern west, and his After Buddhism is his most systematic contribution to the process. What...

Zen Buddhism is the perfect addition to your spiritual journey and a great way to strengthen your Zen. Explore Buddhist traditions and older ways of connecting with spirituality by going straight to the heart of mystical traditions. Zen Buddhism explores the spiritual teachings that have thrived throughout Chinese culture and many other societies. With this guidebook for both newcomers to...

With a new preface, afterword, and updated material throughout, this iconoclastic and creative Tibetan meditation master clarifies and cuts through "new age," trendy misconceptions about what it really means to be a Buddhist. An innovative meditation master cuts through common misconceptions about Buddhism, revealing what it truly means to walk the path of the Buddha. So you think you're a...

In Mongolian Buddhism, texts, rituals, and images are deeply interwoven, yet they are typically studied separately. Image and Imagination in Mongolian Buddhism is a groundbreaking interdisciplinary exploration of Mongolian Buddhism of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, drawing on previously unexamined writings and artworks to shed new light on the intricate interrelationships that define this tradition. Vesna A. Wallace...

A rich new selection of Buddhist writings, representing the full range of historical periods, geographical origins and literary styles. While Buddhism has no central text such as the Bible or the Koran, there is a powerful body of scripture from across Asia that encompasses the dharma, or the teachings of Buddha. This rich anthology brings together works from a broad...

One of the world's leading scholars of Buddhism presents the story of its dramatic journey across the globe, from 2,500 years ago to the present day. Over the course of twenty-five centuries, Buddhism spread from its place of origin in northern India to become a global tradition of remarkable breadth, depth, and richness. In this ambitious book, Buddhism, Donald S....

"Suzuki's works on Zen Buddhism are among the best contributions to the knowledge of living Buddhism." – Carl Jung Essays in Zen Buddhism was the first book to fully introduce Zen in the West. In this work, Dr D.T. Suzuki outlines the origins of Zen as a unique Chinese interpretation of the Doctrine of Enlightenment with the aim of attaining...

Explore the riches of Buddhist wisdom—from ancient scriptures, essential principles, and much more—presented by one of the titans of American Buddhism. This treasury of essential Buddhist writings draws from the most popular Indian, Tibetan, Chinese, and Japanese sources. Among the selections are some of the earliest recorded sayings of the Buddha on the practice of freedom, passages from later Indian...

Buddhism is all about training the mind, and boot camp is an ideal training method for this generation's short attention span. The chapters in this small book can be read in any order, and are simple and easy to understand. Each story, inspirational quote, and teaching offers mindfulness-enhancing techniques that anyone can relate to. You don't need to be a...

The best known Buddhist teachers on the planet all have something in common - they are excellent communicators. This is not by accident, as the Buddha taught what are called the four elements of right speech over 2,600 years ago. In this unique book, qualified meditation and mindfulness instructor, Cynthia Kane, has taken the four elements of right speech and...

If the Western world knows anything about Zen Buddhism, it is down to the efforts of one remarkable man, D.T. Suzuki. The twenty-seven-year-old Japanese scholar first visited the West in 1897, and over the course of the next seventy years became the world's leading authority on Zen. His radical and penetrating insights earned him many disciples, from Carl Jung to...

This book combines the voices of scholars and practitioners in documenting and analysing Buddhist women's history. It addresses many gaps in the documentation of Buddhist women's experience. The 26 articles—written by a range of Asian, Asian-American, and western Buddhists—document the lives of women who, individually or collectively, have set in motion changes within Buddhist societies. The articles include analyses of...

Buddhism is a faith that commands over 100 million followers throughout the world. Buddha revolutionised the religious ideas of his time to advocate a new way of living. All that is known about him comes from a collection of ancient writings that fuse history, biography, and myth. Karen Armstrong distils from these the key events of Buddha's life: his birth...

In our consumer capitalist society, it should surprise no one that religion is for sale as never before. From jewellery to meditation pillows to tourist retreats, Eastern religious traditions are imitated, rebranded as ‘new age’ or ‘spiritual’, and marketed as an answer to suffering in the modern world. For the secular individual, the ‘mystical’ and ‘exotic’ East is offered as...

With more than 5,000 entries totaling over a million words, this is the most comprehensive and authoritative dictionary of Buddhism ever produced in English. It is also the first to cover terms from all of the canonical Buddhist languages and traditions: Sanskrit, Pali, Tibetan, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Unlike reference works that focus on a single Buddhist language or school,...

Lex Hixon's contemplative expansion of forty passages from the Prajnaparamita Sutra, the basic scripture of all schools of Mahayana Buddhism, yields a text of devotional beauty that is at once dramatic and uplifting. The text sets forth the Bodhisattva path to enlightenment.

The Buddha Meets Socrates: A Philosopher's Journal is a first-person account of teaching and learning. In 2004, Harrison J. Pemberton embarked on a journey to teach Western philosophy to a group of young Buddhist monks in India. One scholar in particular was poised to study: His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje. Together these great thinkers generated a dialogue...

This anthology of discourses from the Pali Canon—the only student edition of such works available—provides an account of Buddhist teachings directly from the earliest primary sources. Early Buddhist Discourses includes seventeen discourses, among them those most essential to the study and teaching of early Buddhism. Additional support materials encompass helpful footnotes, a select bibliography, and a glossary of key terms....

An authority on the world's spiritual traditions, Osho was celebrated for his unique ability to refresh ancient wisdoms for a contemporary audience. Here he takes the reader on an exciting journey into the life and world of Prince Gautam Siddhartha, who became the Buddha. Like a great storyteller, Osho explains the Buddha's teachings through life stories and anecdotes that demonstrate...

Discover the history, teachings and practices of one of the world's oldest religions with this pocket-sized introduction to Buddhism. Who was the Buddha? What's the difference between enlightenment and awakening? Do Buddhists believe in God? Discover all this and more with this beginner's guide to one of the world's oldest and most widely practised philosophies. The Little Book of Buddhism...

Discover daily peace and wisdom with this pocket-sized collection of quotes from Buddhist teachers, writers and philosophers. For many people around the world, the Buddha remains a timeless symbol of compassion, humility and mindfulness. His journey — which saw him leave his life as a prince to begin a spiritual quest for enlightenment — has inspired many to seek inner...

Growing up in the modern world, our children have to cope with ever-increasing amounts of stress, which can hinder their development. The ancient wisdom of Buddhism, with its emphasis on peace, love and compassion, is the ideal basis for helping any child to face these challenges with inner confidence and calm. Building on the age-old art of storytelling, this beautiful...

Buddhism for Beginners covers the most fundamental questions and issues that arise in the minds of modern Western individuals who are new to this tradition of practical spirituality. Written in clear and engaging language, this book presents the Buddhist approach to the fundamental issues and concerns of daily life. Thubten Chodron guides us through the basic tenets of Buddhism, encouraging...

This treasury of essential Buddhist writings draws from the most popular Indian, Tibetan, Chinese, and Japanese sources. Among the selections are some of the earliest recorded sayings of the Buddha on the practice of freedom, passages from later Indian scriptures on the perfection of wisdom, verses from Tibetan masters on the enlightened mind, and songs in praise of meditation by...