Buddhist Religion

Mainstream perceptions about what it means to be Buddhist in America often whitewash and invisibilize the diverse, inclusive, and intersectional communities that lie at the heart of American Buddhism. Be the Refuge is both critique and celebration, calling out the erasure of Asian-American Buddhists while uplifting the complexity and nuance of their authentic stories and vital, thriving communities. Drawn from in-depth interviews with a pan-ethnic, pan-Buddhist group, Be the Refuge is the first book to center young Asian-American Buddhists' own voices.

The Theragatha is one of the most striking texts in the Pali Canon. It is a collection of 264 poems or verses - some short, some long - by monks who, traditionally, lived at the time of the Buddha, and which expressed their experience of insight, the culmination of their spiritual path. In fact, it is generally recognised now that this collection was added to over the years, so that some of the verses date from a later time.

Transcending brings together more than 30 contributors from both the Mahayana and Theravada traditions to present a vision for a truly inclusive trans Buddhist sangha in the 21st century. Shining a light on a new generation of Buddhist role models, this book gives voice to those who have long been marginalized within the Buddhist world and society at large.

There have been a lot of books that have made the case for Buddhism. What makes this book fresh and exciting is Asma's iconoclasm, irreverence, and hardheaded approach to the subject. He is distressed that much of what passes for Buddhism is really little more than "New Age mush." He loudly asserts that it is time to "take the California out of Buddhism." And he presents a spiritual practice that does not require a belief in creeds or dogma.

Although raised Roman Catholic, Susan Stabile was ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist nun and devoted 20 years of her life to practicing Buddhism before returning to Catholicism in 2001. In Growing in Love and Wisdom, she draws on this unique dual perspective to explore the value of interreligious dialogue, the spiritual dynamics that operate across faith traditions, and how Buddhist meditation practices can deepen Christian prayer.

Buddhism: What Everyone Needs to Know offers listeners a brief, authoritative guide to one of the world's most diverse religious traditions in a listener-friendly question-and-answer format. Dale Wright covers the origins and early history of Buddhism, the diversity of types of Buddhism throughout history, and the status of contemporary Buddhism. This is a go-to guide for anyone seeking a basic understanding of the origins, history, teachings, and practices of Buddhism.

Extraordinary Freedom is an approachable and straightforward invitation to open to life, to inquire within, and to go beyond confusion and live in the light of awareness. Although the book isn't filled with the esoteric language of the Buddhist tradition, it has the depth of this powerful wisdom tradition. By becoming conscious of our inner world, our habits, beliefs, neurosis, and attachments there is an opportunity to see their empty nature and in doing so transform our lives.

Meditation teacher, filmmaker, writer, and art savant Kevin Townley turns his unique gaze upon 26 artists and magnifies the power and meaning of the five Buddhist wisdom energies through explorations of their work. Rather than trying to "explain" these energies, he reveals them to you in familiar visual language while, of course, pushing the boundaries of what you might have thought you saw at first glance. Townley leads you to, invites you in, and sometimes springs upon you, the perennial wisdom in the worlds of artists from Artemisia to Hilma af Klint to Marilyn Minter.

The spiritual exercises and Buddhist stories for a calming attunement to sleep serve to slow down and promote inner serenity. It is well known that sleep helps us to relax. Buddhist nuns and Buddhist monks welcome you warmly and accompany you on a meditation path through a Buddhist monastery. A pleasant participation in different, inspiring meditations and in the various relaxation exercises, which are practiced only in the mental imagination, can touch an inner space. Buddhist stories that invite you to smile are also calming relaxation impulses.

IN THE following book I attempt to call the listener's attention to the closeness of Meister Eckhart's way of thinking to that of Mahāyāna Buddhism, especially of Zen Buddhism. The attempt is only a tentative and sketchy one, far from being systematic and exhaustive. But I hope the reader will find something in it which evokes his curiosity enough to undertake further studies of this fascinating topic.

One of the best nonfictional explanations of the Buddha's life and teaching is found in Henry Olcott's Buddhist Catechism in a question and answer format. Followed by Herman Hesse's profound and popular Siddhartha in which the life of the Buddha is mirrored by a contemporary seeker during the time of the Buddha. Together, the listener will come a way with a clear and inspiring account of the heart of the Buddha and Buddhism as well as some of its basic history and principles.

In Modern Mindfulness, Rohan Gunatillake argues that to lead more mindful, calm, and happy lives, switching off is the last thing we need to do. Instead he gives listeners ideas, principles, and techniques to bring awareness, composure, and kindness to whatever they are doing. Filled with over 60 practical exercises, the author's mobile mindfulness approach gives the benefits of meditation to even the busiest of lives.

From the best-selling author of the biography of Shunryu Suzuki (Crooked Cucumber), comes a memoir and oral history of Tassajara—a monastery founded in 1967 by Shunryu Suzuki, abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center. Peopled like a Sixties film of Buddhist invasion, with hippies, dreamers, lovers, a wave of serious practitioners. Nyogen Senzaki, D.T. Suzuki, Alan Watts, Ruth Fuller Sasaki, Gary Snyder, Allen Ginsberg, and of course Shunryu Suzuki and Richard Baker are all here. This is the story of what happened at and surrounding the founding of the first Zen monastery in the West.

One of the world's most popular Tibetan lamas shares accessible advice for working with adversity and living a spiritual life. Enjoy a variety of meditations on topics from flattery and jealousy to karma and compassion. In each brief chapter, Khenpo Sodargye weaves in stories from ancient classics and modern headlines. Drawing on adages from the Buddha, Confucius, and even Mark Twain, he delivers simple and timeless insights about facing adversity and developing a good heart.

In today's fast-paced world, many women are searching for ways to find greater peace, balance, and fulfilment in their daily lives. Practical Buddhism for Modern Life offers a comprehensive guide to the key teachings and practices of Buddhism, tailored specifically to the needs and challenges for the women of today.

How to Relax is part of a new series of books from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, exploring the essential foundations of mindful meditation and practise. This book guides us in achieving deep relaxation, controlling stress, and renewing mental clarity. With sections on healing, relief from non-stop thinking, transforming unpleasant sounds, solitude, and more, How to Relax will help you achieve the benefits of relaxation no matter where you are.

In der hektischen Welt von heute fällt es schwer, Ruhe zu finden und den Geist von den Ablenkungen des Alltags zu befreien. Du verlierst dich oft in endlosen Gedankenspiralen und fühlst dich ständig gestresst. Doch tief in dir weißt du: Es gibt einen Weg, aus diesem Teufelskreis auszubrechen. Innere Ruhe und Zufriedenheit können erlernt werden.

The best-selling author of The Healing Power of Mind presents Tibetan Buddhist instructions for transforming negative thoughts and feelings into loving-kindness toward all beings. Tulku Thondup instructs that by bringing to mind images and thoughts of Avalokitesvara, the Buddhist deity of loving-kindness, we can connect from the heart with the Buddha's example. According to Tulku Thondup, when we awaken loving-kindness through this practice, our outlook on life fundamentally changes and we ourselves can become a source of joy and inspiration to others.

Parenting is not always fun, but the dynamism of life gives us excitement, discovery, and pleasure. This book is a record of my experiences of parenting and practices of Zen. I owe them all to my children. They are gifts from God, irreplaceable treasures. The more serious I was with parenting, the deeper it became. When I faced parenting with a passion like a flame and at other times with calmness like ice, my attention became as sharp as a blade, and I could see some essence. That was a moment when a fire in my heart became a flame.

In this 10 part lecture series Sarah Shaw explores several stories from the Jatakas, stories of the previous lives of the Gautama Buddha both in human and animal form. The stories are entertaining and allegorical. Sarah connects these tales from fourth and fifth century B.C.E. with their relevance for our lives today.