The Essence of Buddhism: An Introduction to Its Philosophy and PracticeThis lucid overview of the Buddhist path takes the perspective of the three "vehicles" of Tibetan Buddhism: the Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. While these vehicles are usually presented as a historical development, they are here equated with the attitudes that individuals bring to their Buddhist practice. Basic to them all, however, is the need to understand our own immediate condition. The primary tool for achieving this is meditation, and The Essence of Buddhism serves as a handbook for the various meditative approaches of Buddhist practice. Beginning with the Four Noble Truths, Traleg Rinpoche incorporates the expansive vision of the bodhisattva path and the transformative vision of Tantra. The final chapters present the transcendent view of Mahamudra. This view dispenses with all dualistic fixations and directly realizes the natural freedom of the mind itself. Along the way, the author provides vivid definitions of fundamental concepts such as compassion, emptiness, and Buddha-nature, and answers common questions: Why does Buddhism teach that there is "no self"? Are Buddhist teachings pessimistic? Does Buddhism encourage social passivity? What is the role of sex in Buddhist Tantra? Why is it said that "samsara is nirvana"? Does it take countless lifetimes to attain enlightenment, or can it be achieved in a moment? |
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The Essence of Buddhism: An Introduction to Its Philosophy and Practice Traleg Kyabgon Limited preview - 2014 |
Common terms and phrases
able achieve actions antidotes Anuyoga arise aspect of Buddha's attain enlightenment attitude aware bardo bliss bodhichitta Bodhisattva body Buddha-nature Buddhahood Buddhist teachings called causes and conditions Chögyam Trungpa compassion concept consciousness contemplation defilements deities delusions develop Dharma dharmakaya empowerment emptiness enduring essence everything experience feel Four Noble Truths happiness Hinayana idea impermanence important inherent existence insight meditation karma karmic kind Madhyamaka Mahamudra Mahayana Buddhism Mahayana teachings manifest means meditation meditation of tranquillity mental agitation moral mystic heat nature negative ness nirmanakaya nirvana notion obstacles one's ourselves overcome paramitas path of application path of preparation person physical practice of meditation practitioner precepts qualities realize relation sambhogakaya sambhogakaya aspect samsaric samsaric condition sense sentient shamatha Shantideva Shravaka shunyata spiritual stage suffering Sutra sutric Tantra tantric things thoughts and emotions Tibetan Tibetan Buddhism tion tradition transformed ultimate reality understanding vipashyana visualization wisdom