The Concept of Bodhicitta in Santideva's Bodhicaryavatara [microform]

The Concept of Bodhicitta in Santideva's Bodhicaryavatara [microform] PDF

Author: Francis Brassard

Publisher: National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada

Published: 1996

Total Pages: 192

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

"This thesis is a contribution to the study of the interpretation of the concept of bodhicitta. This concept is a technical term of frequent occurrence in Buddhist Sanskrit literature. Within the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, bodhicitta is closely related to the spiritual practices of the Buddhist aspirant to enlightenment. Specifically researched is Santideva's use of this concept in his Bodhicaryavatara, a text known to have been composed around the 8th century. The form of this study is as follows: first, a survey of the various interpretations of the concept of bodhicitta suggested so far; secondly, an analysis of its possible functions in the context of the spiritual path of the aspirant to enlightenment; thirdly, a discussion of what I believe to be an appropriate understanding of bodhicitta. An argument will be made that the path to realization consists in cultivating an awareness of the reality described by the concept of bodhicitta. Such cultivation should bring one to the realization that what is described by it is indeed the only possible reality. This means that bodhicitta is the means to as well as the description of the goal to attain." --

The Concept of Bodhicitta in Śāntideva's Bodhicaryāvatāra

The Concept of Bodhicitta in Śāntideva's Bodhicaryāvatāra PDF

Author: Francis Brassard

Publisher: State University of New York Press

Published: 2012-02-16

Total Pages: 207

ISBN-13: 0791492532

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This book explores an important concept within the Buddhist Mahāyāna tradition, bodhicitta. This term appears frequently in Sanskrit literature relating to the spiritual practices of the bodhisattva in Mahāyāna Buddhism and has been variously translated as "thought of enlightenment" or "desire of enlightenment." Francis Brassard offers a contextual analysis of bodhicitta based on the presuppositions underlying the spiritual practice of the bodhisattva. Since the understanding that emerges involves how one ought to view the process of spiritual transformation, this work contributes to Buddhist psychology and soteriology in particular, and to comparative religions in general. The book surveys the various interpretations of the concept of bodhicitta, analyzes its possible functions in the context of the spiritual path of the aspirant to enlightenment, and discusses an understanding of bodhicitta in the context of the Śāntideva's Bodhicaryāvatāra.

Of the Progresse of the Bodhisattva

Of the Progresse of the Bodhisattva PDF

Author: Richard Mahoney

Publisher:

Published: 2016

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780473379483

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

"This is a replica edition of Mahoney, R.B., Of the progresse of the Bodhisattva: the bodhisattvamārga in the Śikṣāsamuccaya, M.A. Thesis, (University of Canterbury, 2002)"--Publisher information.

What Is Buddhist Enlightenment?

What Is Buddhist Enlightenment? PDF

Author: Dale S. Wright

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2016-09-01

Total Pages: 288

ISBN-13: 0190622601

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

What kind of person should I strive to be? What ideals should I pursue in my life? These basic human questions and others like them are components of the overall question that guides this book: What is enlightenment? As Dale Wright argues, any serious practitioner of human life, religious or not, confronts the challenge of living an authentic life, of overcoming common human disabilities like greed, hatred, and delusion that give rise to excessive suffering. Why then, Wright asks, is this essential question often avoided, even discouraged among Buddhists? One reason frequently cited by Buddhists is that pondering a distant goal might be a waste of energy that would be better applied to practice: Quiet the flow of obsessive thinking, put yourself in a mindful state of presence, and let enlightenment take care of itself. In this book, however, Wright contends that pondering this question is meditative practice--that attentive inquiry of this kind is essential as the starting point and guide for any mindful practice of life. Meditative reflection on the meaning of enlightenment focuses us on our aim and direction in life. It guides us in shaping our practices, our ideals, and the kinds of lives we will live. Asking what enlightenment is as a basic form of meditation helps to activate our lives and get transformative practice underway. From Wright's perspective, there is no more important question to ask than this one. What is Buddhist Enlightenment? offers a wide-ranging exploration of issues that have a bearing on the contemporary meaning of enlightenment, including a concluding section with 10 theses that answer the title's question. Written by a leading scholar of Buddhism, the book balances deep learning and an accessible style, offering valuable insights for students, scholars, and practitioners alike. While he takes an examination of what enlightenment has been in past Buddhist traditions as his point of departure, Wright's historical considerations yield to the question that our lives press upon us--what kinds of lives should we aspire to live here, now, and into the future?

The Other Emptiness

The Other Emptiness PDF

Author: Michael R. Sheehy

Publisher: SUNY Press

Published: 2019-12-01

Total Pages: 402

ISBN-13: 1438477570

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Presents a new vision of the Buddhist history and philosophy of emptiness in Tibet. This book brings together perspectives of leading international Tibetan studies scholars on the subject of zhentong or “other-emptiness.” Defined as the emptiness of everything other than the continuous luminous awareness that is one’s own enlightened nature, this distinctive philosophical and contemplative presentation of emptiness is quite different from rangtong—emptiness that lacks independent existence, which has had a strong influence on the dissemination of Buddhist philosophy in the West. Important topics are addressed, including the history, literature, and philosophy of emptiness that have contributed to zhentong thinking in Tibet from the thirteenth century until today. The contributors examine a wide range of views on zhentong from each of the major orders of Tibetan Buddhism, highlighting the key Tibetan thinkers in the zhentong philosophical tradition. Also discussed are the early formulations of buddhanature, interpretations of cosmic time, polemical debates about emptiness in Tibet, the zhentong view of contemplation, and creative innovations of thought in Tibetan Buddhism. Highly accessible and informative, this book can be used as a scholarly resource as well as a textbook for teaching graduate and undergraduate courses on Buddhist philosophy. “The book contains extremely interesting material and makes a valuable contribution to the study of Tibetan Buddhism. It will be appreciated by those interested in the development of one of the important and yet understudied of its traditions, the other emptiness tradition.” — Georges B. J. Dreyfus, coeditor of The Svātantrika-Prāsaṅgika Distinction: What Difference Does a Difference Make?

The Nectar of Bodhicitta

The Nectar of Bodhicitta PDF

Author: Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Publisher: Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive

Published: 2021-09-12

Total Pages: 222

ISBN-13: 1891868934

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

LYWA director Nick Ribush writes: The story behind this book is that in the early Kopan Monastery courses, Lama Zopa Rinpoche would start his day’s teachings by quoting a verse from Shantideva’s or Khunu Lama Rinpoche’s seminal texts, giving a short teaching on it and then suggesting that students use it to generate a bodhicitta motivation for the day’s activities (mainly teachings, meditations and discussion groups but also ordinary activities such as eating, talking, walking around and so forth). Since those days I’ve always thought that a compilation of these short teachings would make a great book, and finally, here it is. Editor Gordon McDougall has assembled Rinpoche's teachings into two parts, sorted by author of the verses and arranged thematically. In Part One, Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaches on selected verses from Khunu Lama Rinpoche's Jewel Lamp, now published as Vast as the Heavens, Deep as the Sea. Lama Zopa Rinpoche advises, "Understanding and constantly reminding ourselves of the skies of benefits that bodhicitta brings is unbelievably worthwhile. This is the overall purpose of Khunu Lama Rinpoche’s book, to cause us to feel inspired and joyful that such a mind is possible." In Part Two, Rinpoche teaches on verses from the first chapter of Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life. These verses describe the amazing benefits of developing the precious mind of bodhicitta, the supreme cause of happiness for all sentient beings.

Healing Anger

Healing Anger PDF

Author: Dalai Lama XIV Bstan-ʼdzin-rgya-mtsho

Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass Publishe

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 180

ISBN-13: 9788120815155

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

In this book the Dalai Lama shows how through the practice of patience and tolerance we can overcome the obstacles of anger and hatred. Be bases his discussion on A. Guide to the Bodhisattva\'s Way of Life, the classic work on the activities of Bodhisattvas--those who aspire to attain full enlightenment in order to benefit all beings. The techniques and methods presented are relevant not only for Buddhist practitioners but for all who seek to improve themselves. Through these teachings and by his own example, the Dalai Lama shows the power that patience and tolerance have to heal anger and to generate peace in the world. Born in Amdo, Tibet in 1935, TENZIN GYATSO was recognized as the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet. He has served as head of the Tibetan government-in exile at Dharamsala, India, since the Chinese takeover of Tibet in 1959. Winner of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, today he is known the world over as a great spiritual teacher and a tireless worker for peace.

Lanterna Rally - Theme by Grace Themes