by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche (1995)
This extensive set of teachings was one of Thrangu Rinpoche's introductions to the basic concepts of the three vehicles of Buddhism. When Buddhism came to Tibet, the great masters of meditation determined that to practice Buddhism properly, all three vehicles or levels of Buddhism had to be studied and practiced. The first vehicle of this practice includes the careful examination of the self, the meticulous accumulation of merit, and of course, the meditation on the Buddha's first teaching—the four noble truths. The practice of this vehicle is basic Shamatha and Vipashyana meditation. The second vehicle of this practice is the mahayana path which involves the understanding of the emptiness of phenomena and understanding of the ultimate and the conventional truth. The practice of the mahayana is embarking upon the bodhisattva path, engendering great compassion, and practicing the six perfections. Finally, Thrangu Rinpoche, a well known teacher, explains the third vehicle of the vajrayana which involves doing the preliminary preparations, engaging in meditation on the yidams, and doing the meditation of looking directly at mind called the mahamudra.
Carol Anderson
"In Under the bodhi tree, author Carol Anderson offers the reader a comprehensive guide to Buddhism from both a knowledge and practice perspective. The reader is introduced to the basic concepts and teachings of the Buddha as well as the growth and evolution of Buddhism from its origins to its place in the world today."--Page 4 of cover.
Barbara Ann Kipfer
Poor communication lies at the heart of most relationship problems. Everyone wants to be heard, to be understood, and to be treated with respect. But in our digital age of texting and social media, it's easy to distance ourselves from the words we put out into the world, and many times, we may not be aware of the negative impact our words can have on people, whether they are our friends, family, or coworkers. This is where the concept of Right Speech comes in. An important part of the Buddhist Noble Eightfold Path, Right Speech is the philosophy that what you say can positively or negatively impact your life, as well as the lives of those around you. Speech to avoid includes divisive speech, abusive speech, lies, and idle gossip. In addition, most of what we say fails to convey what we really mean in our hearts.
Robert Allen
" ... thoughtful observations are interwoven with examples from Buddhist teachings and Zen masters as well as stories from everyday life"--Jacket.
Jack Kornfield
In this book (previously published under the title Living Buddhist Masters), Jack Kornfield presents the heart of Buddhist practice as taught by twelve highly respected masters from Southeast Asia, Here, renowned teachers such as Mahasi Sayadaw, U Ba Khin, Mohnyin Sayadaw, and Achaan Maha Boowa describe a rich variety of meditation techniques--practices that can lead to the dissolution of a limited sense of self, an awakening of insight, compassion for all beings, and the realization of Nirvana. In other chapters, Achaan Chaa, Achaan Buddhadasa, and Sunlun Sayadaw offer practices clarifying the essential attitude that will allow each person to discover the truth of the Buddha's teaching here and now--the living Dharma. The book also provides an introduction to the basic tenets of Buddhism and a look at the Buddhist tradition as taught in Burma, Thailand, and Laos.