Heated words, cool malice, deadly feuds, the furious rush of adrenaline-anger is clearly the most destructive of the seven deadly sins. It can ruin families, wreck one's health, destroy peace of mind and, at its worst, lead to murder, genocide, and war. In Anger, Robert A. F. Thurman, best-selling author and one of America's leading authorities on Buddhism and Eastern philosophy, offers an illuminating look at this deadliest of sins. In the West, Thurman points out, anger is seen as an inevitable part of life, an evil to be borne, not overcome. There is the tradition of the wrathful God, of Jesus driving the money-changers from the temple. If God can be angry, how can men rid themselves of this destructive emotion? Thurman shows that Eastern philosophy sees anger differently. Certainly, it is a dreadful evil, one of the "three poisons" that underlie all human suffering. But Buddhism teaches that anger can be overcome. Indeed, the defeat of anger is not only possible, but also the only thing worth doing in a lifetime. Thurman shows how to recognize the destructiveness of anger and understand its workings, and how we can go from being a slave to anger to becoming "a knight of patience." We discover finally that when this deadliest emotion is transmuted by wisdom, it can become the most powerful force in freeing us from human suffering. Drawing on the time-tested wisdom of Buddhism, Robert A. F. Thurman ranges from the individual struggle with anger to global crises spurred by dogmatic ideologies, religious fanaticism, and racial prejudice. He offers a path of calm understanding in a time of terrorism and war.
WINNER OF THE TRICYCLE PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE Expertly and lucidly surveying the basic varieties and teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, renowned scholar Robert Thurman makes this authentic spiritual tradition available to contemporary Western audiences
Robert Thurman asks us to examine our assumptions about life and death, and to consider the possibility that our lives are not only meaningful, but that they have an enormous impact. Following the teachings of the Buddha, Infinite Life introduces seven Buddhist virtues for cultivating the positive in our lives. Robert Thurman teaches the reader to let go of a rigid sense of 'self' and to fully experience full satisfaction with ourselves, the people who surround us and contribute meaningfully to the world.
The most accessible and informative version of the Buddhist classic available in English, with instruction in meditation, illuminating commentary, and guidance in the practical use of the prayers The so-called “Tibetan Book of the Dead” has been renowned for centuries as a cornerstone of Buddhist wisdom and religious thought. More recently, it has become highly influential in the Western world for its psychological insights into the processes of death and dying—and what they can teach us about the ways we live our lives. It has also been found to be helpful in the grieving process by people who have recently lost their loved ones. Composed in the eighth century C.E., it is intended to prepare the soul for the trials and transformations of the afterworld. Its profound message is that the art of dying is as important as the art of living. Drawing on Tibetan spiritual traditions, it shows us the workings of the mind in its various manifestations—terrifying and comforting, wrathful and beautiful—which appear more clearly after death in the consciousness of the deceased. By recognizing these manifestations, we can attain a state of enlightenment, both in this existence and in the existence to come. This authoritative translation preserves the form and spirit of the original and was prepared especially for Western readers by Robert A. F. Thurman, one of the most prominent Tibetan scholars in America and a close associate of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s.
Why the "life story" of the Dalai Lama? It is a story of one man taking on an empire, calling for truth, peace, and justice for his Tibetan people. Here, in full color for the first time, people can come to know the whole drama of his lifelong struggle. Since the age of 15, the Dalai Lama has defended his people against one of the last great empires, the People’s Republic of China. Under its "dictatorship of the proletariat," China began to invade Tibet in 1950, decimating and then continually oppressing its people. Since colonialism cannot be practiced in our era of self-determined nations, China always maintains that the Tibetans are a type of Chinese, using propaganda and military power to crush Tibet’s unique culture and identity. Yet the Dalai Lama resists by using only the weapon of truth—along with resolute nonviolence—even worrying some of his own people by seeking dialogue and reconciliation based on his more realistic vision. The great 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet has become the first global Dalai Lama, a prominent transnational leader of all who want to make the dramatic changes actually necessary for life on earth to thrive for centuries to come. Considered the incarnation of the Buddhist savior Chenrezig or Avalokiteshvara—archangel of universal compassion—he is believed to appear in many forms, at many different times, whenever and wherever beings suffer. Representing the plight of his beloved Tibetan people to the world, he has also engaged with all people who suffer oppression and injustice, as recognized in 1989 by his being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Most importantly, the Dalai Lama walks his talk throughout these pages, as he has throughout his life, and he radiates a powerful hope that we can and will prevail. Man of Peace presents the inside story of his amazing life and vision, in the high tension of the military occupation of Tibet and the ongoing genocide of its people—a moving work of political and historical nonfiction brought to life in the graphic novel form—here for all to see.
This is the paperback edition of the first full study, translation, and critical annotation of the Essence of True Eloquence by Jey Tsong Khapa (1357-1419), universally acknowledged as the greatest Tibetan philosopher. Robert Thurman's translation and introduction present a strain of Indian Buddhist thought emphasizing the need for both critical reason and contemplative realization in the attainment of enlightenment. This book was originally published under the title Tsong Khapa's Speech of Gold in the "Essence of True Eloquence." ? "I am very happy that Tsong Khapa's masterpiece of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy has been translated into English, and can now be studied by Western philosophers and practitioners of Buddhism. It has long been one of my favorite works, and I hope that others will appreciate its deep thought and lucid insights as we have for centuries in Tibet."--From the foreword by the Dalai Lama
Illustrates, explains and celebrates 241 examples of Tibetan sacred art of the 9th to 12th centuries. The authors discuss the religious meaning and use of tangkas, Buddhist iconography and the aesthetics of tangka paintings, sculpture and mandalas.
This is the first full study, translation, and critical annotation of the Essence of True Eloquence, by Tsong Khapa (1357-1419), universally acknowledged as the greatest Tibetan philosopher. The work is a study of the major schools of Mahayana Buddhism, known as Vijnanavada and Madhyamika, and an explanation of the Prasarigika (Dialecticist") interpretation of Madhyamika ("Centrism"). Originally published in 1984. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.
Tibet's sacred paintings are among the most marvelous creations of the human spirit, eye, and hand, a fascinating part of the great tapestry of the history of world civilizations. Arising from the Buddhist enlightenment movement, this art seeks not only to delight the viewer, but also to move and inspire the heart and spirit of the human being who seeks a deeper meaning for life and a higher future for all humanity. Worlds of Transformation furthers our understanding of this art, opening our imagination to the limitless transformative possibilities of life itself. In Worlds of Transformation, Marylin M. Rhie and Robert A. F. Thurman study two hundred superb Tibetan tangka icon paintings, most never before published. These are lucidly explained, giving the history of the paintings and their creators, revealing their stylistic sophistication and variety, and offering insight into their transformative imagery.
The present work is the cornerstone of our Jey Yabsey Sungbum Collection, a subset of our Treasury of the Buddhist Sciences series. Comprised of the collected works of Tsong Khapa Losang Drakpa (1357–1419) and His Spiritual Sons, Gyaltsap Darma Rinchen (1364–1432) and Khedrup Gelek Pelsang (1385–1438), this Collection is a voluminous set of independent Tibetan treatises and supercommentaries, all based on the thousands of works contained in the Kangyur and Tengyur Collections. The Brilliant Illumination of the Lamp of the Five Stages (Rim lnga rab tu gsal ba’i sgron me) is Tsong Khapa’s most important commentary on the perfection stage practices of the Esoteric Community (Guhyasamāja), the Tantra he considered fundamental for the practice of the “Father Tantra” class of Unexcelled Yoga Tantras. It draws heavily on Nāgārjuna’s Five Stages (Pañcakrama) and Āryadeva’s Lamp that Integrates the Practices (Caryāmelāpakapradīpa), as well as a vast range of perfection stage works included in the Tibetan Kangyur and Tengyur collections. It is an important work for both scholars and practitioners. The annotated translation is supplemented with extensive glossaries and other support materials. A companion volume of the critically edited Tibetan text, annotated with the found quotes from Tengyur and Kangyur texts in Tibetan and Sanskrit where available.
A fascinating scholarly monograph on the famous Buddhist icon of the Wheel of Existence. Ms. Dunnington skillfully shows how the Wheel depicts the suffering of the six realms of migratory living beings, the origin of suffering, the twelve links of dependent origination, the freedom from suffering in the void place surrounding the wheel, and the path to that freedom. Seventeen color plates illustrate these foundational teachings of the Buddha.
What is the subtle relationship between mind and body? What can today's scientists learn about this relationship from masters of Buddhist thought? Is it possible that by combining Western and Eastern approaches, we can reach a new understanding of the nature of the mind, the human potential for growth, the possibilities for mental and physical health? MindScience explores these and other questions as it documents the beginning of a historic dialogue between modern science and Buddhism. The Harvard Mind Science Symposium brought together the Dalai Lama and authorities from the fields of psychiatry, psychology, neuroscience, and education. Here, they examine myriad questions concerning the nature of the mind and its relationship to the body.
Demonic Divine: Himalayan Art and Beyond focuses on wrathful and fierce images once labeled by Europeans as demonic, and now open to more sympathetic investigation. Examining closely 66 works of art, the authors take us behind Western preconceptions to explore ways that fearsome imagery is used in Himalayan cultures, including representation of protection and benevolence. Over two hundred color images highlight visual power and artistic skill in works that blur the boundaries between horror and beauty. Essays by Rob Linrothe, Curator, RMA and Associate Professor of Art History at Skidmore College, and Marylin Rhie, Professor of Asian Art at Smith College, explore variations within the demonic and trace the evolution of style. Contributions from Jeff Watt, RMA Curator and Director of the Himalayan Art Website, are evident throughout. Matthieu Ricard, author, monk, and scientist, provided the foreword.
For centuries the priciples of Buddhism have inspired Tibetan artists to create some of the world's most sophisticated, profound and beautiful art. Tangkas, paintings, sculptures and mandalas provide a window on the enlightened realm of pure wisdom, the perfected universe that represents the ultimate goal of Buddhism.
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