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While many accounts of the Buddha’s life mix legend and history, this compelling new biography discriminates between fact and fiction to reveal Gautama, the remarkable human being behind the myth, and sheds new light on his teachings. Plunging us into the noises, smells and jostling streets of Gautama’s world, Vishvapani Blomfield brings the Buddha to life as a passionate and determined individual - a strikingly modern figure who rejected contemporary beliefs.

Through this novelized history of the Soka Gakkai - one of the most dynamic, diverse, and empowering Buddhist movements in the world today - listeners will discover the organization's goals and achievements even as they find inspiring and practical Buddhist wisdom for living happily and compassionately in today's world. The book recounts the stories of ordinary individuals who faced tremendous odds in transforming their lives through the practice of Nichiren Buddhism and in bringing Buddhism's humanistic teachings to the world.

The Library of Wisdom and Compassion collects the Dalai Lama’s decades of presentations of every step of the path to enlightenment. It has been compiled and coauthored by one of his chief Western disciples, the American nun Thubten Chodron. This first volume provides a wealth of reflections on Buddhist history and fundamentals, contemporary issues, and the Dalai Lama’s own personal experiences.

The daughter of an artist, Helen Tworkov grew up in the heady climate of the New York School of Abstract Expressionism; yet from an early age, she questioned the value of Western cultural norms. At the age of twenty-two, she set off for Japan, then traveled through Cambodia, India, and eventually to Tibetan refugee camps in Nepal. Set against the arresting cultural backdrop of the sixties and their legacy, this intimate self-portrait depicts Tworkov's search for a true home but also into the ways each of us can better understand and transform ourselves.

This rich, timely, and highly original portrait of the Buddha explores both the archetypal religious icon and Buddha the man. In lucid and compelling prose, Armstrong brings to life the Buddha's quest, from his renunciation of his privileged life to the discovery of a truth that he believed would utterly transform human beings and enable them to live at peace in the midst of life's suffering.

Have you been fascinated by the concept of growing your own psilocybin mushrooms, but don’t know where to start? No matter what your current experience level is, How to Grow Psilocybin Mushrooms at Home the FOOLPROOF Way will walk you through the step-by-step process of growing mushrooms in your own home, resulting in a beautiful crop on the first attempt. From beginner to advanced, everything is laid out with detailed descriptions, ensuring you will have a successful mushroom farm in less than two months!

Unlock the secrets of enlightenment and transform your life with "Milarepa: A Beginner's Guide." This essential introduction delves into the extraordinary journey and timeless teachings of Milarepa, one of Tibet's most revered spiritual masters. Discover the inspiring journey of transformation from suffering and revenge to enlightenment and compassion. Milarepa's life story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the possibility of profound personal change. His teachings are a beacon of hope for anyone seeking spiritual growth and inner peace. Gain deep insights into Tibetan ...

After taking his vows to become a Bön monk and completing a pilgrimage around 22,000-foot Mt. Kailash, the holiest mountain in Tibet, Tenzin Namdak envisions a life of quiet contemplation at Menri, Bön’s mother monastery. Instead, he finds himself fleeing for his life across the highest and most difficult terrain on the planet. After being joined by a CIA-backed warlord, Tenzin’s escape party is ambushed and he is severely wounded.

The Noble Eightfold Path is one of the most important teachings in Buddhism. In this series of eight lectures, given originally in 1965, Urgyen Sangharakshita introduces each stage, from right understanding to right meditation, explaining the deeper implications involved. Sangharakshita, the London-born Buddhist teacher, is one of the most influential figures in the development of Buddhism in the West.

Find out all about mysterious Buddhism, its origins, its secrets, and its answers to the challenges of modern life. This book contains a basic overview of Buddhism, including the life of Buddha and the various kinds of Buddhism that have developed. It takes a look at all the key concepts and most important teachings, methods, and insights in a way that is easy to understand. Filled with a wealth of common sense and other worldly wisdom, the path to enlightenment is considered.

Michael Carrithers guides us through the complex and sometimes conflicting information that Buddhist texts give about the life and teaching of the Buddha. He discusses the social and political background of India in the Buddha's time, and traces the development of his thought. He also assesses the rapid and widespread assimilation of Buddhism and its contemporary relevance. Well-paced and informative, this introduction will enlighten not only those who study Buddhism and comparative religion but anyone intrigued by the remarkable philosophy of one of the greatest religious thinkers.

A quick guide to the history of the world's most popular meditation practice. From the time of the Buddha to the age of meditation apps, this straightforward introduction gives an entire overview of the use of the term "mindfulness" in Buddhist meditative traditions. Drawing upon years of experience through practicing, researching, and teaching the history of mindfulness, Dr. Sarah Shaw offers the first-ever accessible guide to the roots of this ancient meditation technique that continues to benefit millions throughout the world.

This book will help you appreciate the timeless wisdom of the oldest form of Buddhism in existence, understand what it means to be a Buddhist, recognize the key practices and traditions of Theravada Buddhism, and avoid faux pas in conversation - both in traveling and personal relationships. Access the world's religions through this entry in this series of simple guides that provide concise, accessible introductions to the world's major religions.

Is there more to Buddhism than sitting in silent meditation? Is modern Buddhism relevant to the problems of daily life? Does it empower individuals to transform their lives? Or has Buddhism become too detached, so still and quiet that the Buddha has fallen asleep? Waking the Buddha tells the story of the Soka Gakkai International, the largest, most dynamic Buddhist movement in the world today - and one that is waking up and shaking up Buddhism so it can truly work in ordinary people's lives.

Unlock the Secrets of Shingon Buddhism with This Essential Guide Are you ready to embark on a journey of spiritual discovery and transformation? "Shingon Buddhism: A Beginner's Guide" offers you a captivating introduction to one of Buddhism's most profound and mystical traditions. This book is not just an exploration; it's an invitation to delve into the rich tapestry of esoteric teachings, rituals, and art that define Shingon Buddhism. Discover the Origins: Dive deep into the fascinating history of Shingon Buddhism. Learn about Kūkai, the legendary monk who founded this tradition, and ...

A new, four-stage approach to the popular Buddhist practice known as loving-kindness meditation, with the aim of finding unconditional love in our own hearts, in our relationships, and in our perception of the world around us. The unconditional love that we all long for - in our own lives and in the world around us - can be awakened effectively with this unique approach to the Tibetan Buddhist practice of loving-kindness meditation.

Children and adults alike will enjoy these amazing, entertaining and fascinating stories from The Lotus Sutra. Originally told to illustrate the challenging concepts of the Buddha’s most important lesson, they easily stand on their own and will quickly become family favorites, presenting meaningful and useful insights today, tomorrow and for a lifetime. Read the exciting adventure of how children rescued themselves from a burning house, the rags to riches story of how a Janitor became CEO, how treasure hunters found a City of Dreams, how a man thought he lost everything because he ...

Best-selling author and Pastor John MacArthur brings his deep knowledge of Scripture to this foundational subject. Step by step, he walks through the impact of God's sovereignty, our submission, the characteristics of holy living, and our assurance of salvation. MacArthur makes the case that the Christian life is full and rich - but not easy. It requires sacrifice, perseverance, and transformation in the ongoing process of becoming more like Christ. And it is absolutely worth the cost.

Children and adults alike will enjoy reading about the Stone Tiger, the Pardoned Prisoner, King Rinda’s White Horses, the Turtle Under the Ocean, the Calligrapher’s Son and the Merchant Who Became a Horse: these captivating stories were originally told in ancient Japan to illustrate the challenging concepts of the Lotus Sutra, yet present enduring relevance even centuries later to a now globalized practice of Buddhism. Today, Nichiren’s stories remain as entertaining and controversial as ever. And in a search for symbolic, mythological and cultural context, six of these stories have ...

Surviving the Dragon is the remarkable life story of Arjia Rinpoche, who was ordained as a reincarnate lama at the age of two and fled Tibet 46 years later. In his gripping memoir, Rinpoche relates the story of having been abandoned in his monastery as a young boy after witnessing the torture and arrest of his monastery family. In the years to come, Rinpoche survived under harsh Chinese rule, as he was forced into hard labor and endured continual public humiliation as part of Mao’s Communist "reeducation".