Buddhism: A Complete Introduction: Teach Yourself


Book Description

Buddhism: A Complete Introduction is a comprehensive and easy-to-use introduction, designed to give you everything you need to succeed, all in one place. Written by a leading expert, this book will help you if you are studying for an important exam or essay, or if you simply want to improve your knowledge. It is structured to mirror the way in which Buddhism is usually taught, starting with the life of the Buddha through to the prospects of Buddhism for the next generation. The book covers all the key areas that are considered central to Buddhism, including the Buddha's teachings, the scriptures and schools, the role of meditation and the moral and ethical context. It uses jargon-free English and includes features such as guided further reading and end of chapter questions to ensure that you understand all the concepts covered. Buddhism: A Complete Introduction includes: Chapter 1: Buddhists and Buddhism Chapter 2: The life of the Buddha Chapter 3: The Buddha's teaching Chapter 4: Buddhist scriptures and schools Chapter 5: Meditation and devotion Chapter 6: Ethical conduct Chapter 7: Moral Issues Chapter 8: The social order Chapter 9: Festivals and ceremonies Chapter 10: Budhist today: East and West Chapter 11: Transition, adaptation and influence: prospects for Buddhism in the twenty-first century Learn effortlessly with a new easy-to-read page design and added features:Not got much time? One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started. Author insights Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience. Test yourself Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress. Extend your knowledge Extra online articles to give you a richer understanding of psychology. Five things to remember Quick refreshers to help you remember the key facts. Try this Innovative exercises illustrate what you've learnt and how to use it.




Buddhism--An Introduction: A Teach Yourself Guide


Book Description

More than 60 million Teach Yourself products sold worldwide! Everything you need to know about Buddhism, from Buddha to Zen Covering all aspects of this fascinating faith, from the teachings of the Buddha to the practicalities of pursuing a Buddhist way of life, Buddhism is an informative and accessible introduction to this major world religion. You will learn about the origins of Buddhism, its place in society today and the challenges it faces for the future. Includes: One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get readers started Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author’s many years of experience Answers to many of the current issues and questions that surround Buddhism Complex religious and philosophical ideas in simple, readable prose. Topics include: Buddhists and Buddhism; The life of the Buddha; The Buddha's teaching; Buddhist scriptures and schools; Meditation and devotion; Ethical conduct; Moral issues; The social order; Festivals and ceremonies; Buddhism today: East and West; Transition, adaptation and influence: prospects for Buddhism in the twenty-first century




The Everything Buddhism Book


Book Description

"My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness." --Dalai Lama That's easy for the Dalai Lama to say--but for the rest of us, understanding this mysterious, multilayered faith can be very difficult. With this updated and revised edition of the classic Buddhist primer, you can delve into the profound principles of nonviolence, mindfulness, and self-awareness. From Tibetan Buddhism to Zen, you'll explore the traditions of all branches of Buddhism, including: The life of Buddha and his continuing influence throughout the world A revealing survey of the definitive Buddhist texts What the Sutras say about education, marriage, sex, and death Faith-fueled social protest movements in Tibet, Burma, and elsewhere Buddhist art, poetry, architecture, calligraphy, and landscaping The proven physiological effects of meditation and other Buddhist practices The growing impact of Buddhism on modern American culture In this guide, you'll discover the deceptively simple truths of this enigmatic religion. Most important, you learn how to apply the tenets of Buddhism to your daily life--and achieve clarity and inner peace in the process.




101 Key Ideas: Buddhism


Book Description

Teach Yourself 101 Key Ideas: Buddhism presents readers with an accessible introduction to the religion and philosophy of Buddhism.




Teach Yourself Buddhism


Book Description

Discover Buddhism and its role in our world Covering all aspects of this fascinating religion from the life of the Buddha and his teaching to the different Buddhist schools and the practicalities of pursuing a Buddhist way of life, Teach Yourself Buddhism is a comprehensive and informative guide. It explores the diversity of Buddhism and how it has adapted to its growing global presence and new cultural environments as well as the relevance of Buddhist teachings in our world today. This fully updated new edition also considers what is undoubtedly the greatest challenge facing the faith--how Buddhism is to be transmitted to a new generation.




Buddhism for Beginners


Book Description

This easy-to-understand introduction to Buddhism is “written for people wanting to understand basic Buddhist principles and how to integrate them into their lives” (H.H. the Dalai Lama) This user’s guide to Buddhist basics takes the most commonly asked questions—beginning with “What is the essence of the Buddha’s teachings?”—and provides simple answers in plain English. Thubten Chodron’s responses to the questions that always seem to arise among people approaching Buddhism make this an exceptionally complete and accessible introduction—as well as a manual for living a more peaceful, mindful, and satisfying Life. Buddhism for Beginners is an ideal first book on the subject for anyone, but it’s also a wonderful resource for seasoned students, since the question-and-answer format makes it easy to find just the topic you’re looking for, such as: • What is the goal of the Buddhist path? • What is karma? • If all phenomena are empty, does that mean nothing exists? • How can we deal with fear? • How do I establish a regular meditation practice? • What are the qualities I should look for in a teacher? • What is Buddha-nature? • Why can't we remember our past lives?




Buddhism: An Introduction


Book Description

Is this the right book for me? Covering all aspects of this fascinating faith, from the teachings of the Buddha to the practicalities of pursuing a Buddhist way of life, Buddhism - an Introduction is an informative and accessible introduction to this major world religion. Learn about the origins of Buddhism, its place in society today and the challenges it faces for the future. Buddhism: An Introduction includes: Chapter 1: Buddhists and Buddhism Who are Buddhists? The Three Jewels The Three Refuges Buddhist Practice In conclusion Chapter 2: The life of the Buddha The Buddha's significance The Four Sights Going forth Self-mortification The enlightenment Turning the wheel of the dharma The mission The growth of the Sangha Paranirvana In conclusion Chapter 3: The Buddha's teaching The first Nobel Truth: all is suffering (dukkha) The second Noble Truth: the origins of suffering (samudaya) The third Noble Truth: the cessation of suffering (nirodha) The fourth Noble Truth: the path to the cessation of suffering (magga) Chapter 4: Buddhist scriptures and schools The Theravada Scriptures The Mahayana Scriptures Pure Land Buddhism The Ch'an and Zen Schools The Tibetan Scriptures In conclusion Chapter 5: Meditation and devotion 1 Mind and heart 2 Heart and mind 3 Devotion as homage 4 Salvific devotion In conclusion . . . . Chapter 6: Ethical conduct Sila skilfulness The practicality of buddhist ethics Working on yourself and others The precepts and the dharma Renunciation In conclusion Chapter 7: Moral Issues The natural world Human society In conclusion Chapter 8: The social order Ordination Celibacy Weddings and marriages Family life Death and dying In conclusion Chapter 9: Festivals and ceremonies Theravada festivals Tibetan festivals Japanese and Chinese festivals Western Buddhist festivals In conclusion Chapter 10: Budhist today: East and West The spread of Buddhism Buddhism in India The revival of Buddhism Buddhism in South-East Asia Missionary activity Tibetan Buddhism Buddhism in the West In conclusion Chapter 11: Transition, adaptation and influence: prospects for Buddhism in the twenty-first century Into the twenty-first century Views from the West Transmitting Buddhism to a new generation In conclusion Learn effortlessly with a new easy-to-read page design and added features:Not got much time? One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started. Author insights Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience. Test yourself Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress. Extend your knowledge Extra online articles to give you a richer understanding of psychology. Five things to remember Quick refreshers to help you remember the key facts. Try this Innovative exercises illustrate what you've learnt and how to use it.




Pali - Buddha's Language


Book Description

This complete course for beginners explains the most basic concepts of Pali grammar in 10 comprehensive lessons. Each lesson is based on original passages from the Tipitaka. The student thus dives into reading and understanding the Buddha's word from the very first chapter. Unlike other books on the Pali language, Kurt Schmidt's primer is both short, precise and extremely pragmatic. At the end of this excellent self-guided course the reader will be able to read and understand Pali texts.




Introduction to Buddhism


Book Description

The essential principles of Buddhism and the Buddhist way of life are accessible to beginners, and this clear presentation will also inspire those who have been practicing for years.




Essential Buddhism


Book Description

Four hundred million people call themselves Buddhists today. Yet most Westerners know little about this powerful, Eastern-spawned faith. How did it begin? What do its adherents believe? Why are so many Westerners drawn to it? Essential Buddhism responds to these questions and many more, offering an accessible, global perspective on the religion's past, present, and future. It identifies how the principal concepts and practices originated and evolved through diverse cultural adaptations into three basic formats: * Theraveda (including Vipassana, brought from Vietnam in the 1960s and including such practitioners as Jack Kornfield and Jon Kapat-Zinn) * Mahayana (including Zen Buddhism, originally brought to America by Japanese teachers after World War II and popularized by Jack Kerouac and Thomas Merton) * Vajrayana (including Tibetan Buddhism, from the teachers who fled the Chinese takeover of Tibet in the 1950s as well as the Dalai Lama, and embraced by Allen Ginsberg, Richard Gere, and countless others) Essential Buddhism is the single best resource for the novice and the expert alike, exploring the depths of Buddhism's popularity and illuminating its tenets and sensible approach to living. Written in the lucid prose of a longtime professional storyteller, and full of Buddhist tales, scriptural quotes, ancient stories, and contemporary insights, Essential Buddhism is the first complete guide to the faith and the phenomenon.