Download or read book Unfortunate Destiny written by Reiko Ohnuma and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2017-05-01 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Unfortunate Destiny focuses on the roles played by nonhuman animals within the imaginative thought-world of Indian Buddhism, as reflected in pre-modern South Asian Buddhist literature. These roles are multifaceted, diverse, and often contradictory: In Buddhist doctrine and cosmology, the animal rebirth is a most "unfortunate destiny" (durgati), won through negative karma and characterized by a lack of intelligence, moral agency, and spiritual potential. In stories about the Buddha's previous lives, on the other hand, we find highly anthropomorphized animals who are wise, virtuous, endowed with human speech, and often critical of the moral shortcomings of humankind. In the life-story of the Buddha, certain animal characters serve as "doubles" of the Buddha, illuminating his nature through identification, contrast or parallelism with an animal "other." Relations between human beings and animals likewise range all the way from support, friendship, and near-equality to rampant exploitation, cruelty, and abuse. Perhaps the only commonality among these various strands of thought is a persistent impulse to use animals to clarify the nature of humanity itself--whether through similarity, contrast, or counterpoint. Buddhism is a profoundly human-centered religious tradition, yet it relies upon a dexterous use of the animal other to help clarify the human self. This book seeks to make sense of this process through a wide-ranging-exploration of animal imagery, animal discourse, and specific animal characters in South Asian Buddhist texts.
Download or read book An Introduction to Mah y na Buddhism written by William McGovern and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2010-10-18 with total page 143 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: William Montgomery McGovern’s Introduction to Mahayana Buddhism was one of the first books on Mahayana Buddhism written for a Western audience. It predates influential English language overviews of Buddhism by D. T. Suzuki, A. Watts, and W. Rahula. The author was born in New York City in 1897 and spent his latter teenage years (1914-1917) training at the Nishi Hongwanji Mahayana Buddhist monastery in Kyoto, Japan. He founded the Mahayana Association at age eighteen and edited and published the journal "Mahayanist" while completing his studies at the monastery. Introduction to Mahayana Buddhism was written as part of a thesis which secured him his Buddhist degree and an honorary ordination as a Buddhist priest. Intended as a simplified and introductory text for a lay audience, the book reflects the unique perspective of a Westerner trained in Japan at a time when Mahayana Buddhism was little known in the West. Referencing Buddhist literature, it gives a short history of Buddhism and the divergence of schools of Buddhist philosophy, introduces the four noble truths, the philosophy of Karma, the nature of Buddhahood, reincarnation and the road to nirvana, Buddhist cosmology, and psychological and philosophical elements of Buddhist teachings. Although the divisions of non Mahayana Buddhist sects and philosophy described may be considered dated, Introduction to Mahayana Buddhism remains significant for its historical value in presenting Eastern religious and philosophical thought to Westerners at a pivotal time in history.
Download or read book Reason s Traces written by Matthew Kapstein and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2013-02-08 with total page 498 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reason's Traces addresses some of the key questions in the study of Indian and Buddhist thought: the analysis of personal identity and of ultimate reality, the interpretation of Tantric texts and traditions, and Tibetan approaches to the interpretation of Indian sources. Drawing on a wide range of scholarship, Reason's Traces reflects current work in philosophical analysis and hermeneutics, inviting readers to explore in a Buddhist context the relationship between philosophy and traditions of spiritual exercise.
Download or read book Mediating the Power of Buddhas written by Glenn Wallis and published by State University of New York Press. This book was released on 2012-02-01 with total page 280 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Mediating the Power of Buddhas offers a fascinating analysis of the seventh-century ritual manual, the Mañjusrimulakalpa. This medieval text is intended to reveal the path into a ritual universe where the power of a buddha abides. Author Glenn Wallis traces the strategies of the Mañjusrimulakalpa to enable its committed reader to perfect the promised ritual, uncovering what conditions must be met for ritual practice to succeed and what personal characteristics practitioners must possess in order to realize the ritual intentions of the Buddhist community. The manual itself was written at a key point in Buddhist history, one when Hindu forms of practice were still imitated and on the cusp of the shift from Mahāyāna to Vajrayāna (or Tantric) Buddhism. In addition, the Mañjusrimulakalpa presents a rich compendium of Buddhist life in an earlier era, containing information on a variety of its readers' concerns: astrology, astronomy, medicine and healing, ritual practice, iconography, devotion, and meditation.
Download or read book Tr bner s Bibliographical Catalogues written by Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co and published by . This book was released on 1925 with total page 1234 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Coming to Terms with Chinese Buddhism written by Robert H. Sharf and published by University of Hawaii Press. This book was released on 2005-11-30 with total page 417 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The issue of sinification—the manner and extent to which Buddhism and Chinese culture were transformed through their mutual encounter and dialogue—has dominated the study of Chinese Buddhism for much of the past century. Robert Sharf opens this important and far-reaching book by raising a host of historical and hermeneutical problems with the encounter paradigm and the master narrative on which it is based. Coming to Terms with Chinese Buddhism is, among other things, an extended reflection on the theoretical foundations and conceptual categories that undergird the study of medieval Chinese Buddhism. Sharf draws his argument in part from a meticulous historical, philological, and philosophical analysis of the Treasure Store Treatise (Pao-tsang lun), an eighth-century Buddho-Taoist work apocryphally attributed to the fifth-century master Seng-chao (374–414). In the process of coming to terms with this recondite text, Sharf ventures into all manner of subjects bearing on our understanding of medieval Chinese Buddhism, from the evolution of T’ang "gentry Taoism" to the pivotal role of image veneration and the problematic status of Chinese Tantra. The volume includes a complete annotated translation of the Treasure Store Treatise, accompanied by the detailed exegesis of dozens of key terms and concepts.
Download or read book Personal Identity and Buddhist Philosophy written by Mark Siderits and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2016-05-13 with total page 282 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What does it mean to be a person? The philosophical problem of personal identity has been the subject of much debate in both Western philosophy and Buddhist philosophy. This book initiates a conversation between the two traditions showing how concepts and tools drawn from one philosophical tradition can help solve problems arising in another, particularly as regards the philosophical investigation of persons. The recent controversy over personal identity has concerned reductionism, the view that persons are mere useful fictions. Mark Siderits explores the most important objections that have been raised to reductionism, and shows how some key arguments and semantic tools from early Buddhism can be used to answer those objections. Buddhist resources are used to examine the important ethical consequences of this view of persons. The second half of the book explores a new objection to reductionism about persons that originates in Mahayana Buddhist philosophy.
Download or read book Buddhist Ethics written by Hammalawa Saddhatissa and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2016-03-29 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "For more than a quarter of a century, those in search of an introduction to Buddhist moral thought have turned and returned to this little volume..." Thus notes Charles Hallisey of Harvard University in his introduction. Starting with an examination of classical Greek notions of ethics, Venerable Saddhatissa goes on to explain the development of Buddhist moral codes and their practical application. In this work, Venerable Saddhatissa starts with an examination of Western notions of ethics, beginning with the early Greek philosophers and moving on to show us how the study of morality is crucial to a clear understanding of the Buddhist tradition. Drawing on a vast array of Buddhist scriptures, Venerable Saddhatissa explains the development and position of Buddhist precepts from a traditional perspective, while simultaneously offering clear and practical advice on how best to live the moral life of a lay Buddhist practitioner. Throughout Buddhist Ethics, Venerable Saddhatissa always keeps us in touch with the pragmatic uses of Buddhist moral practices, not only as a way to live in harmony with the world, but as an indispensable aspect of the path to the Buddhist's highest spiritual goal.
Download or read book Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma written by Bhikkhu Bodhi and published by Pariyatti Publishing. This book was released on 2012-11-06 with total page 428 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For those who approach Buddhism as a system of mental development, this book is a reliable and accessible guide to understanding the significance of themes from the Pali discourses. Themes include grasping, right view, craving, passion, contemplation of feeling, happiness, and liberation. A rare combination of scholarly rigor and extensive meditation experience from the author provides veracity to these studies and explorations.
Download or read book Abhidhamma Studies written by Nyanaponika and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 1998-03 with total page 178 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Abhidhamma expounds a revolutionary system of philosophical psychology rooted in the twin Buddhist insights of selflessness and dependent origination. In keeping with the liberative thrust of early Buddhism, this system organizes the entire spectrum of human consciousness around the two poles of Buddhist doctrine?bondage and liberation?the starting point and the final goal. It thereby maps out, with remarkable rigor and precision, the inner landscape of the mind to be crossed through the practical work of Buddhist meditation. In this book of groundbreaking essays, Venerable Nyanaponika Thera, one of our age's foremost exponents of Theravada Buddhism, penetrates the Abhidhamma to make its principles intelligible to the thoughtful reader of today. Innovative and rich in insights, this book does not merely open up new avenues in the academic study of early Buddhism. By treating the Abhidhamma as a fountainhead of inspiration for philosophical and psychological inquiry, it demonstrates the continuing relevance of Buddhist thought to our most astute contemporary efforts to understand the elusive yet so intimate nature of the mind.
Download or read book Abhidhamma Studies written by Nyanaponika and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2012-11-12 with total page 178 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Abhidhamma, the third great division of early Buddhist teaching, expounds a revolutionary system of philosophical psychology rooted in the twin Buddhist insights of selflessness and dependent origination. In keeping with the liberative thrust of early Buddhism, this system organizes the entire spectrum of human consciousness around the two poles of Buddhist doctrine - bondage and liberation, Samsara and Nirvana - the starting point and the final goal. It thereby maps out, with remarkable rigour and precision, the inner landscape of the mind to be crossed through the practical work of Buddhist meditation. In this book of groundbreaking essays, Venerable Nyanaponika Thera, one of our age's foremost exponents of Theravada Buddhism, attempts to penetrate beneath the formidable face of the Abhidhamma and to make its principles intelligible to the thoughtful reader of today. His point of focus is the Consciousness Chapter of the Dhammasangani, the first treatise of the Abhidhamma Pitaka. Basing his interpretation on the detailed list of mental factors that the Abhidhamma uses as a guide to psychological analysis, he launches into bold explorations in the multiple dimensions of conditionality, the nature of consciousness, the temporality of experience, and the psychological springs of spiritual transformation. Innovative and rich in insights, this book does not merely open up new avenues in the academic study of early Buddhism. By treating the Abhidhamma as a fountainhead of inspiration for philosophical and psychological inquiry, it demonstrates the continuing relevance of Buddhist thought to our most astute contemporary efforts to understand the elusive yet so intimate nature of the mind.
Download or read book The Maha Bodhi written by and published by . This book was released on 1971 with total page 582 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The History of Buddhist Thought written by Edward J. Thomas and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2013-11-05 with total page 331 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Originally published between 1920-70,The History of Civilization was a landmark in early twentieth century publishing. It was published at a formative time within the social sciences, and during a period of decisive historical discovery. The aim of the general editor, C.K. Ogden, was to summarize the most up-to-date findings and theories of historians, anthropologists, archaeologists and sociologists. This reprinted material is available as a set or in the following groupings, or as individual volumes: * Prehistory and Historical Ethnography Set of 12: 0-415-15611-4: £800.00 * Greek Civilization Set of 7: 0-415-15612-2: £450.00 * Roman Civilization Set of 6: 0-415-15613-0: £400.00 * Eastern Civilizations Set of 10: 0-415-15614-9: £650.00 * Judaeo-Christian Civilization Set of 4: 0-415-15615-7: £250.00 * European Civilization Set of 11: 0-415-15616-5: £700.00
Download or read book The History of Buddha s Religion written by and published by K.K. Publications. This book was released on 2022-03-06 with total page 232 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The text gives us an outline of Buddha's life and briefly deals with the three Buddist Councils held during the reigns of the three Indian kings, Ajatasattu, Kalasoka and Asoka. After the third Council was over, Buddhist missionaries were sent to different countries by Moggaliputta Tissa for the propagation of the Buddhist faith. Of the nine regions visited by the missionaries as mentioned by the author, five are placed in Indo-China. Moggaliputta Tissa sent two separate missionaries to neighbouring regions in the valley of the Irawaddy, besides three others who visited Laos and Pegu. It seems that he took special care for the religions future of Maramma (Burma proper). During the reign of the Sinhalese king Devanampiyatissa who was a contemporary of king Asoka, the Elder Mahinda was sent to Ceylon for the same purpose. So¸a and Uttara visited Suvannabhumi (Sudhammapura,* i.e., Thaton at the month of the Sittaung River). The author holds that even before the missionaries were sent to Suvannahhumi Buddha came there personally to preach his doctrine. Maharakkhita Thera spread Buddism in the country extending along the valleys of the Me-nam and Me-ping rivers and including the Shan States to the north of them. The country of Vanavasior the region around Prome was visited by the Elder Yonakarakkhita who propagated Buddhism there. Kasmira and Gandhara were visited by Majjhantika, and the whole country became a Buddhist stronghold. Buddhism found its way into Mahimsakama¸·ala through Maharevata thera. Mahadhammarakkhita thera and Majjhima thera spread the Buddhistic faith in Maharattha (Mahanagararattha or Siam) and Cinarattha (the Himavantapadesa of the Ceylon books). Similarly Buddhism was propagated in Aparantarattha which is no other than the Sunaparanta of the Burmese, i.e., the region lying west of the upper Irawaddy. The author's horizon seems to be limited, first by an orthodox desire to claim most of the early teachers for the southern countries and hence to prove the purest possible sources for the southern doctrines and secondly by a certain feeling of national pride. The Sasananavamsa has not yet been translated. An English translation of this important text is a great necessity, and I am glad that I have now removed this long-felt want. I had to experience great difficulty in translating it as the text is so very corrupt. I am confident that this translation will be of some use to students and scholars interested in Pali Buddhism current in Burma
Download or read book Translation Series written by Pali Text Society (London, England) and published by . This book was released on 1951 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Book of the Gradual Sayings written by and published by . This book was released on 1951 with total page 318 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Book of the Gradual Sayings Anguttara nik ya written by and published by . This book was released on 1960 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
