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Table of Contents
About This Book Conventions Used in This Book How This Book Is Organized Part I: Embarking on a Journey: The Basics of Buddhism Part II: A Short History of Buddhism Part III: Behaving Like a Buddhist Part IV: Exploring the Buddhist Path Part V: The Part of Tens Part VI: Appendixes Icons Used in This Book Where to Go from Here Index
Part I: Embarking on a Journey: The Basics of Buddhism Part II: A Short History of Buddhism Part III: Behaving Like a Buddhist Part IV: Exploring the Buddhist Path Part V: The Part of Tens Part VI: Appendixes
Chapter 1: Entering the World of Buddhism: The Basics Figuring Out Whether Buddhism Is a Religion Recognizing the Role of the Buddha Understanding the Function of Philosophy in Buddhism Appreciating Buddhist Practices Living an ethical life Examining your life through meditation Practicing devotion Dedicating Your Life to the Benefit of All Beings Chapter 2: Understanding Your Mind: The Creator of All Experience Recognizing How Your Mind Shapes Your Experience Contrasting the Body and Mind Approaching the Mind from Three Different Buddhist Perspectives Recognizing the six major types of consciousness Seeing how certain factors affect mental consciousness Feeling around for your emotions Appreciating the Fundamental Purity of Your Mind Seeing that delusions can be remedied Finding the sun behind the clouds Tracing the Path of Wisdom and Loving Compassion Wisdom: Removing the veils of misconception Loving compassion: Opening your heart to others
Figuring Out Whether Buddhism Is a Religion Recognizing the Role of the Buddha Understanding the Function of Philosophy in Buddhism Appreciating Buddhist Practices Living an ethical life Examining your life through meditation Practicing devotion Dedicating Your Life to the Benefit of All Beings
Living an ethical life Examining your life through meditation Practicing devotion
Recognizing How Your Mind Shapes Your Experience Contrasting the Body and Mind Approaching the Mind from Three Different Buddhist Perspectives Recognizing the six major types of consciousness Seeing how certain factors affect mental consciousness Feeling around for your emotions Appreciating the Fundamental Purity of Your Mind Seeing that delusions can be remedied Finding the sun behind the clouds Tracing the Path of Wisdom and Loving Compassion Wisdom: Removing the veils of misconception Loving compassion: Opening your heart to others
Recognizing the six major types of consciousness Seeing how certain factors affect mental consciousness Feeling around for your emotions
Seeing that delusions can be remedied Finding the sun behind the clouds
Wisdom: Removing the veils of misconception Loving compassion: Opening your heart to others
Chapter 3: Surveying the Life and Teachings of the Historical Buddha Revealing the Buddha’s Early Life A miraculous birth An overprotective father The prince marries: Imprisoned in palaces of pleasure Forbidden knowledge revealed: The four visions Beginning the Quest Renouncing the royal life Going to extremes and discovering the middle way Sitting in the Shade of the Bodhi Tree: The Defeat of Mara Benefiting Others: The Buddha’s Career in Full Gear Providing spiritual guidance: Turning the wheel of Dharma Founding the community Listening to the Buddha’s final message: All things must pass Understanding the Four Noble Truths The truth of suffering The truth of suffering’s cause The truth of suffering’s cessation The truth of the path Envisioning the Future The advent of Maitreya Degeneration, followed by hope Chapter 4: The Development of Buddhism on the Indian Subcontinent Convening the First Buddhist Council Gathering the council Categorizing the teachings: The three baskets Spreading the Teachings — Peacefully A Fork in the Road: Managing a Developing Split in the Buddhist Community Convening the Second Council Advancing the teachings in different ways Making Buddhism a Religion of the People: The Emperor Ashoka’s Influence Transforming his approach Promoting Buddhism beyond India Two Levels of Practice in Early Buddhism Witnessing Shifting Allegiances and New Ideals Turning to the stupas Taking a ride in the Great Vehicle: Mahayana Buddhism Recognizing the Major Mahayana Themes Chronicling the Rise of the Mahayana Teachings White Lotus of the Good Dharma Sutra Exposition of Vimalakirti Sutra Perfection of Wisdom Sutras Descent into Lanka Sutra World-Array Sutra Land of Bliss Sutras Looking at the Decline and Reappearance of Buddhism in India Disappearing act Reappearing in India Moving Mountains: Buddhism in Nepal Delving into Buddhist traditions of Nepal Narrowing in on Newar Buddhism Chapter 5: Watching Developments Continue to the Present Day Tracing the Two Routes of Buddhism Spreading the Way of the Elders Across Southeast Asia to the West Theravada Buddhism takes root in Thailand Vipassana meditation gains popularity in the West Driving the Great Vehicle to China and Beyond Watching Mahayana Buddhism evolve in China Examining Flower Ornament and Tiantai: The great unifying systems Chronicling Pure Land and other devotional schools Zen: Taking root in the Far East — and the West From Tibet to the West: Charting the movement of the Diamond Vehicle
Revealing the Buddha’s Early Life A miraculous birth An overprotective father The prince marries: Imprisoned in palaces of pleasure Forbidden knowledge revealed: The four visions Beginning the Quest Renouncing the royal life Going to extremes and discovering the middle way Sitting in the Shade of the Bodhi Tree: The Defeat of Mara Benefiting Others: The Buddha’s Career in Full Gear Providing spiritual guidance: Turning the wheel of Dharma Founding the community Listening to the Buddha’s final message: All things must pass Understanding the Four Noble Truths The truth of suffering The truth of suffering’s cause The truth of suffering’s cessation The truth of the path Envisioning the Future The advent of Maitreya Degeneration, followed by hope
A miraculous birth An overprotective father The prince marries: Imprisoned in palaces of pleasure Forbidden knowledge revealed: The four visions
Renouncing the royal life Going to extremes and discovering the middle way
Providing spiritual guidance: Turning the wheel of Dharma Founding the community Listening to the Buddha’s final message: All things must pass
The truth of suffering The truth of suffering’s cause The truth of suffering’s cessation The truth of the path
The advent of Maitreya Degeneration, followed by hope
Convening the First Buddhist Council Gathering the council Categorizing the teachings: The three baskets Spreading the Teachings — Peacefully A Fork in the Road: Managing a Developing Split in the Buddhist Community Convening the Second Council Advancing the teachings in different ways Making Buddhism a Religion of the People: The Emperor Ashoka’s Influence Transforming his approach Promoting Buddhism beyond India Two Levels of Practice in Early Buddhism Witnessing Shifting Allegiances and New Ideals Turning to the stupas Taking a ride in the Great Vehicle: Mahayana Buddhism Recognizing the Major Mahayana Themes Chronicling the Rise of the Mahayana Teachings White Lotus of the Good Dharma Sutra Exposition of Vimalakirti Sutra Perfection of Wisdom Sutras Descent into Lanka Sutra World-Array Sutra Land of Bliss Sutras Looking at the Decline and Reappearance of Buddhism in India Disappearing act Reappearing in India Moving Mountains: Buddhism in Nepal Delving into Buddhist traditions of Nepal Narrowing in on Newar Buddhism
Gathering the council Categorizing the teachings: The three baskets
Convening the Second Council Advancing the teachings in different ways
Transforming his approach Promoting Buddhism beyond India
Turning to the stupas Taking a ride in the Great Vehicle: Mahayana Buddhism
White Lotus of the Good Dharma Sutra Exposition of Vimalakirti Sutra Perfection of Wisdom Sutras Descent into Lanka Sutra World-Array Sutra Land of Bliss Sutras
Disappearing act Reappearing in India
Delving into Buddhist traditions of Nepal Narrowing in on Newar Buddhism
Tracing the Two Routes of Buddhism Spreading the Way of the Elders Across Southeast Asia to the West Theravada Buddhism takes root in Thailand Vipassana meditation gains popularity in the West Driving the Great Vehicle to China and Beyond Watching Mahayana Buddhism evolve in China Examining Flower Ornament and Tiantai: The great unifying systems Chronicling Pure Land and other devotional schools Zen: Taking root in the Far East — and the West From Tibet to the West: Charting the movement of the Diamond Vehicle
Theravada Buddhism takes root in Thailand Vipassana meditation gains popularity in the West
Watching Mahayana Buddhism evolve in China Examining Flower Ornament and Tiantai: The great unifying systems Chronicling Pure Land and other devotional schools Zen: Taking root in the Far East — and the West From Tibet to the West: Charting the movement of the Diamond Vehicle
Chapter 6: Turning to Buddhism Proceeding at Your Own Pace Taking responsibility for your own life Determining your level of involvement Getting Acquainted with the Teachings of Buddhism Reading books on Buddhist teachings Choosing a tradition Receiving meditation instruction Developing a meditation practice Finding a teacher Formally Becoming a Buddhist Focusing on the importance of renunciation Taking refuge in the Three Jewels Receiving the precepts Exploring further stages of practice Entering the Monastic Way Renouncing the world Ordaining as a monk or nun Dedicating your life to Buddhist practice Chapter 7: Meditation: A Central Practice of Buddhism Dispelling Some Meditation Myths Defining Meditation Exploring the Benefits of Meditation Examining how neuroscientists see it Recognizing the condition you’re in Cultivating equanimity Turning an old phrase upside down: Don’t do something — just sit there Appreciating your life Understanding the Threefold Nature of Buddhist Meditation Developing mindful awareness Deepening concentration Developing penetrating insight Developing the Three Wisdoms As the Foundation for Insight Cultivating wisdom from listening to the teachings Cultivating wisdom from reflecting on what you heard Cultivating wisdom from meditating on what you understand Chapter 8: A Day in the Life of a Buddhist Practitioner Surveying the Role of Monasteries in Buddhism Renouncing Worldly Attachments: A Day in the Life of a Western Buddhist Monk Following a day in the life Punctuating the calendar with special events Growing a Lotus in the Mud: A Day in the Life of a Zen Practitioner Following a day in the life Attending silent retreats Gathering for special events Devoting Yourself to the Three Jewels: A Day in the Life of a Vajrayana Practitioner Trusting the Mind of Amida: A Day in the Life of a Pure Land Buddhist Chapter 9: Walking in the Buddha’s Footsteps Visiting the Primary Places of Pilgrimage Lumbini: A visit to the Buddha’s birthplace Bodh Gaya: Place of enlightenment Sarnath: The first teaching Kushinagar: The Buddha’s death Seeing Other Important Pilgrimage Sites Rajgir Shravasti Sankashya Nalanda Going on Pilgrimage Today
Proceeding at Your Own Pace Taking responsibility for your own life Determining your level of involvement Getting Acquainted with the Teachings of Buddhism Reading books on Buddhist teachings Choosing a tradition Receiving meditation instruction Developing a meditation practice Finding a teacher Formally Becoming a Buddhist Focusing on the importance of renunciation Taking refuge in the Three Jewels Receiving the precepts Exploring further stages of practice Entering the Monastic Way Renouncing the world Ordaining as a monk or nun Dedicating your life to Buddhist practice
Taking responsibility for your own life Determining your level of involvement
Reading books on Buddhist teachings Choosing a tradition Receiving meditation instruction Developing a meditation practice Finding a teacher
Focusing on the importance of renunciation Taking refuge in the Three Jewels Receiving the precepts Exploring further stages of practice
Renouncing the world Ordaining as a monk or nun Dedicating your life to Buddhist practice
Dispelling Some Meditation Myths Defining Meditation Exploring the Benefits of Meditation Examining how neuroscientists see it Recognizing the condition you’re in Cultivating equanimity Turning an old phrase upside down: Don’t do something — just sit there Appreciating your life Understanding the Threefold Nature of Buddhist Meditation Developing mindful awareness Deepening concentration Developing penetrating insight Developing the Three Wisdoms As the Foundation for Insight Cultivating wisdom from listening to the teachings Cultivating wisdom from reflecting on what you heard Cultivating wisdom from meditating on what you understand
Examining how neuroscientists see it Recognizing the condition you’re in Cultivating equanimity Turning an old phrase upside down: Don’t do something — just sit there Appreciating your life
Developing mindful awareness Deepening concentration Developing penetrating insight
Cultivating wisdom from listening to the teachings Cultivating wisdom from reflecting on what you heard Cultivating wisdom from meditating on what you understand
Surveying the Role of Monasteries in Buddhism Renouncing Worldly Attachments: A Day in the Life of a Western Buddhist Monk Following a day in the life Punctuating the calendar with special events Growing a Lotus in the Mud: A Day in the Life of a Zen Practitioner Following a day in the life Attending silent retreats Gathering for special events Devoting Yourself to the Three Jewels: A Day in the Life of a Vajrayana Practitioner Trusting the Mind of Amida: A Day in the Life of a Pure Land Buddhist
Following a day in the life Punctuating the calendar with special events
Following a day in the life Attending silent retreats Gathering for special events
Visiting the Primary Places of Pilgrimage Lumbini: A visit to the Buddha’s birthplace Bodh Gaya: Place of enlightenment Sarnath: The first teaching Kushinagar: The Buddha’s death Seeing Other Important Pilgrimage Sites Rajgir Shravasti Sankashya Nalanda Going on Pilgrimage Today
Lumbini: A visit to the Buddha’s birthplace Bodh Gaya: Place of enlightenment Sarnath: The first teaching Kushinagar: The Buddha’s death
Rajgir Shravasti Sankashya Nalanda
Chapter 10: What Is Enlightenment, Anyway? Considering the Many Faces of Spiritual Realization Reviewing the Theravada Tradition’s Take on Nirvana Defining nirvana Revealing the four stages on the path to nirvana Getting a Handle on Two Traditions of Wisdom Realizing the Mind’s Essential Purity in the Vajrayana Tradition Taking the direct approach to realization Understanding the complete enlightenment of a Buddha Standing Nirvana on Its Head with Zen Tuning in to the direct transmission from master to disciple The ten ox-herding pictures Finding the Common Threads in Buddhist Enlightenment Chapter 11: A Matter of Life and Death Taking Death Personally Recognizing Your Life As a Rare and Precious Opportunity Facing Reality: The Nine-Part Death Meditation Understanding that your death is definite Realizing that the time of your death is uncertain Using death awareness as your spiritual ally Reaping the Result of the Death Meditation Dealing with the Death of a Loved One Surveying Attitudes toward Death in Buddhist Traditions Theravada: Getting off the wheel of existence Vajrayana: Turning death itself into the path Zen: Dying the “great death” before you die Chapter 12: Minding the Concept of Karma Appreciating the Law of Karmic Cause and Effect Experiencing Karmic Consequences Following the Buddha’s Ethical Guidance Exploring the Buddhist Precepts Arranging the precepts behind three doors Taking a deeper look at the ten nonvirtuous actions Dealing with Transgressions Atoning for mistakes Purifying negative karma Chapter 13: Breaking Free of the Cycle of Dissatisfaction Feeling Like Life’s a Big Rat Race Spinning the Wheel of Life: The Meaning of Wandering in Samsara Identifying the root delusions Surveying the six realms of existence Understanding the 12 links Cutting through Suffering: The Three Trainings Chapter 14: Fulfilling Your Highest Potential Ordering a Round of Happiness for Everyone and Everything Dedicating Your Heart to Others Keeping it all in the family Figuring out what all beings desire Nurturing the Four Divine Abodes Extending loving-kindness Developing compassion Nurturing sympathetic joy Establishing equanimity Cultivating the Six Perfections of a Bodhisattva Practicing open-hearted generosity Following the self-discipline of ethical behavior Developing patience Practicing with enthusiastic effort Sharpening your concentration Cultivating the ultimate perfection: Insightful wisdom Chapter 15: Life Stories of Four Buddhist Masters Dipa Ma (1911–1989) Spending her early years as a wife and mother Overcoming physical ailments through meditation Sharing her story with others Ajahn Chah (1918–1992) Finding his way in the forest of life Blazing the monastic trail Thich Nhat Hanh (Born 1926) Working for peace in times of war Forging new beginnings from classic ideals The Dalai Lama (Born 1935) Understanding the legacy of reincarnation Reviewing the early life of the present Dalai Lama Dealing with the Chinese Finding freedom in exile Appreciating his interest in science Embracing the role of Buddhist ambassador to the world
Considering the Many Faces of Spiritual Realization Reviewing the Theravada Tradition’s Take on Nirvana Defining nirvana Revealing the four stages on the path to nirvana Getting a Handle on Two Traditions of Wisdom Realizing the Mind’s Essential Purity in the Vajrayana Tradition Taking the direct approach to realization Understanding the complete enlightenment of a Buddha Standing Nirvana on Its Head with Zen Tuning in to the direct transmission from master to disciple The ten ox-herding pictures Finding the Common Threads in Buddhist Enlightenment
Defining nirvana Revealing the four stages on the path to nirvana
Taking the direct approach to realization Understanding the complete enlightenment of a Buddha
Tuning in to the direct transmission from master to disciple The ten ox-herding pictures
Taking Death Personally Recognizing Your Life As a Rare and Precious Opportunity Facing Reality: The Nine-Part Death Meditation Understanding that your death is definite Realizing that the time of your death is uncertain Using death awareness as your spiritual ally Reaping the Result of the Death Meditation Dealing with the Death of a Loved One Surveying Attitudes toward Death in Buddhist Traditions Theravada: Getting off the wheel of existence Vajrayana: Turning death itself into the path Zen: Dying the “great death” before you die
Understanding that your death is definite Realizing that the time of your death is uncertain Using death awareness as your spiritual ally
Theravada: Getting off the wheel of existence Vajrayana: Turning death itself into the path Zen: Dying the “great death” before you die
Appreciating the Law of Karmic Cause and Effect Experiencing Karmic Consequences Following the Buddha’s Ethical Guidance Exploring the Buddhist Precepts Arranging the precepts behind three doors Taking a deeper look at the ten nonvirtuous actions Dealing with Transgressions Atoning for mistakes Purifying negative karma
Arranging the precepts behind three doors Taking a deeper look at the ten nonvirtuous actions
Atoning for mistakes Purifying negative karma
Feeling Like Life’s a Big Rat Race Spinning the Wheel of Life: The Meaning of Wandering in Samsara Identifying the root delusions Surveying the six realms of existence Understanding the 12 links Cutting through Suffering: The Three Trainings
Identifying the root delusions Surveying the six realms of existence Understanding the 12 links
Ordering a Round of Happiness for Everyone and Everything Dedicating Your Heart to Others Keeping it all in the family Figuring out what all beings desire Nurturing the Four Divine Abodes Extending loving-kindness Developing compassion Nurturing sympathetic joy Establishing equanimity Cultivating the Six Perfections of a Bodhisattva Practicing open-hearted generosity Following the self-discipline of ethical behavior Developing patience Practicing with enthusiastic effort Sharpening your concentration Cultivating the ultimate perfection: Insightful wisdom
Keeping it all in the family Figuring out what all beings desire
Extending loving-kindness Developing compassion Nurturing sympathetic joy Establishing equanimity
Practicing open-hearted generosity Following the self-discipline of ethical behavior Developing patience Practicing with enthusiastic effort Sharpening your concentration Cultivating the ultimate perfection: Insightful wisdom
Dipa Ma (1911–1989) Spending her early years as a wife and mother Overcoming physical ailments through meditation Sharing her story with others Ajahn Chah (1918–1992) Finding his way in the forest of life Blazing the monastic trail Thich Nhat Hanh (Born 1926) Working for peace in times of war Forging new beginnings from classic ideals The Dalai Lama (Born 1935) Understanding the legacy of reincarnation Reviewing the early life of the present Dalai Lama Dealing with the Chinese Finding freedom in exile Appreciating his interest in science Embracing the role of Buddhist ambassador to the world
Spending her early years as a wife and mother Overcoming physical ailments through meditation Sharing her story with others
Finding his way in the forest of life Blazing the monastic trail
Working for peace in times of war Forging new beginnings from classic ideals
Understanding the legacy of reincarnation Reviewing the early life of the present Dalai Lama Dealing with the Chinese Finding freedom in exile Appreciating his interest in science Embracing the role of Buddhist ambassador to the world
Chapter 16: Ten Common Misconceptions about Buddhism Buddhism Is Only for Asians To Buddhists, the Buddha Is God Buddhists Are Idol Worshippers Because Buddhists Think Life Is Suffering, They Look Forward to Dying Buddhists Think That Everything Is an Illusion Buddhists Don’t Believe in Anything Only Buddhists Can Practice Buddhism Buddhists Are Interested Only in Contemplating Their Navels Buddhists Never Get Angry “It’s Just Your Karma; There’s Nothing You Can Do about It” Buddhists Don’t Know How to Count Chapter 17: Ten Ways Buddhism Can Help You Deal with Life’s Problems Affirming the Basic Principles Applying the Basic Principles Turning the page on your great expectations Accepting change gracefully Breaking up the concrete Pretending to Be a Buddha Watching your car rust Seeing that what’s yours isn’t really yours Feeling sorry for a thief Tendering your resignation to pain Turning off the projector Dealing with uninvited houseguests Part VI: Appendixes Appendix A: Explaining Buddhist Terms Appendix B: Additional Buddhist Resources to Check Out Cheat Sheet Index
Buddhism Is Only for Asians To Buddhists, the Buddha Is God Buddhists Are Idol Worshippers Because Buddhists Think Life Is Suffering, They Look Forward to Dying Buddhists Think That Everything Is an Illusion Buddhists Don’t Believe in Anything Only Buddhists Can Practice Buddhism Buddhists Are Interested Only in Contemplating Their Navels Buddhists Never Get Angry “It’s Just Your Karma; There’s Nothing You Can Do about It” Buddhists Don’t Know How to Count
Affirming the Basic Principles Applying the Basic Principles Turning the page on your great expectations Accepting change gracefully Breaking up the concrete Pretending to Be a Buddha Watching your car rust Seeing that what’s yours isn’t really yours Feeling sorry for a thief Tendering your resignation to pain Turning off the projector Dealing with uninvited houseguests
Turning the page on your great expectations Accepting change gracefully Breaking up the concrete Pretending to Be a Buddha Watching your car rust Seeing that what’s yours isn’t really yours Feeling sorry for a thief Tendering your resignation to pain Turning off the projector Dealing with uninvited houseguests
Appendix A: Explaining Buddhist Terms Appendix B: Additional Buddhist Resources to Check Out Cheat Sheet Index