"The too prevalent ignorance among even adult Sinhalese Buddhists of the ethical code of their religion leads me to issue this little compilation. Similar moral precepts exist by hundreds in the Buddhist Scriptures; where, also, all the present quotations will be found in the places indicated. They should be committed to memory and practised by parents and taught to their children, especially when the latter are being educated under anti-Buddhistic influences. " HS Olcott
Henry Steel Olcott, a pioneering figure in the study and dissemination of Buddhism in the West, provides profound insights into Buddhist teachings through his works, "The Golden Rules of Buddhism" and "The Life of Buddha and Its Lessons." In "The Golden Rules of Buddhism," Olcott distills the essence of Buddhist ethical teachings into a set of practical principles that guide moral and spiritual conduct. The text serves as a concise introduction to the core precepts of Buddhism, offering readers a clear understanding of how these ancient rules can be applied to daily life. Through his exposition, Olcott elucidates the path to personal transformation and spiritual growth, rooted in the fundamental tenets of compassion, non-violence, and mindfulness. In "The Life of Buddha and Its Lessons," Olcott presents a detailed narrative of the Buddha’s life, from his birth and renunciation to his enlightenment and teachings. This work not only chronicles the historical journey of Siddhartha Gautama but also explores the profound lessons embedded in his experiences. Olcott emphasizes the significance of the Buddha’s life as a model of self-discipline, enlightenment, and the pursuit of spiritual wisdom. By reflecting on the Buddha’s journey, readers gain insight into the practical application of Buddhist principles and their relevance to contemporary life. Both of these works by Henry Steel Olcott are invaluable resources for those interested in Buddhism. They offer a blend of historical context and practical advice, making the teachings of Buddhism accessible and relevant to a modern audience. Olcott’s contributions have played a crucial role in bridging Eastern philosophies with Western understanding, promoting a greater appreciation for the depth and wisdom of Buddhist traditions.
Bestselling author John Green provides a foreword to this deluxe edition of the beloved classic With a gorgeous new package and a foreword from bestselling author John Green, the deluxe edition of The Golden Rule spreads the message of kindness to a new generation. But, what does it really mean? And how do you follow it? A grandfather explains to his grandson that the Golden Rule means you “treat people the way you would like to be treated. It’s golden because it’s so valuable, and a way of living your life that’s so simple, it shines.” The book reveals versions of the Golden Rule found in many cultures and religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Islam. Following the Golden Rule is something everyone can do, which means that every person—old or young, rich or poor—can help make the world a better place.
The latter half of the twentieth century witnessed a growing interest in Buddhism, and it continues to capture the imagination of many in the West who see it as either an alternative or a supplement to their own religious beliefs. Numerous introductory books have appeared in recent years to cater for this growing interest, but almost none devotes attention to the specifically ethical dimension of the tradition. For complex cultural and historical reasons, ethics has not received as much attention in traditional Buddhist thought as it has in the West, and publications on the subject are few and far between. Here, Damien Keown, author of Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction , illustrates how Buddhism might approach a range of fascinating moral issues ranging from abortion and suicide to cloning. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
"Read and cherished by thousands all over the world since it was first published in 1981, Through the Narrow Gate takes the reader on a spiritual journey that began one September day in 1962 when Karen Armstrong said good-bye to her family at London's King's Cross station and journeyed on to the convent in Tripton to become a nun. Through the Narrow Gate is by turns a book of spiritual revelation and an intimate look at life inside the cloistered walls of the convent."--BOOK JACKET.
Jan Westerhoff unfolds the story of one of the richest episodes in the history of Indian thought, the development of Buddhist philosophy in the first millennium CE. He starts from the composition of the Abhidharma works before the beginning of the common era and continues up to the time of Dharmakirti in the sixth century. This period was characterized by the development of a variety of philosophical schools and approaches that have shaped Buddhist thought up to the present day: the scholasticism of the Abhidharma, the Madhyamaka's theory of emptiness, Yogacara idealism, and the logical and epistemological works of Dinnaga and Dharmakirti. The book attempts to describe the historical development of these schools in their intellectual and cultural context, with particular emphasis on three factors that shaped the development of Buddhist philosophical thought: the need to spell out the contents of canonical texts, the discourses of the historical Buddha and the Mahayana sutras; the desire to defend their positions by sophisticated arguments against criticisms from fellow Buddhists and from non-Buddhist thinkers of classical Indian philosophy; and the need to account for insights gained through the application of specific meditative techniques. While the main focus is the period up to the sixth century CE, Westerhoff also discusses some important thinkers who influenced Buddhist thought between this time and the decline of Buddhist scholastic philosophy in India at the beginning of the thirteenth century. His aim is that the historical presentation will also allow the reader to get a better systematic grasp of key Buddhist concepts such as non-self, suffering, reincarnation, karma, and nirvana.
The Ten Pillars of Buddhism are ten ethical precepts-such as generosity, truthfulness, or compassion-that together provide a comprehensive moral guide. These teachings are the source of Buddhist ethics, their depth revealed here as Sangharakshita considers them collectively, then individually. The Ten Pillars of Buddhism provides a fascinating insight for anyone interested in leading an ethical or Buddhist life. "e;A handy and easily readable introduction to Buddhist ethics."e; Prof Damien Keown, author of Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction.
Four hundred million people call themselves Buddhists today. Yet most Westerners know little about this powerful, Eastern-spawned faith. How did it begin? What do its adherents believe? Why are so many Westerners drawn to it? Essential Buddhism responds to these questions and many more, offering an accessible, global perspective on the religion's past, present, and future. It identifies how the principal concepts and practices originated and evolved through diverse cultural adaptations into three basic formats: * Theraveda (including Vipassana, brought from Vietnam in the 1960s and including such practitioners as Jack Kornfield and Jon Kapat-Zinn) * Mahayana (including Zen Buddhism, originally brought to America by Japanese teachers after World War II and popularized by Jack Kerouac and Thomas Merton) * Vajrayana (including Tibetan Buddhism, from the teachers who fled the Chinese takeover of Tibet in the 1950s as well as the Dalai Lama, and embraced by Allen Ginsberg, Richard Gere, and countless others) Essential Buddhism is the single best resource for the novice and the expert alike, exploring the depths of Buddhism's popularity and illuminating its tenets and sensible approach to living. Written in the lucid prose of a longtime professional storyteller, and full of Buddhist tales, scriptural quotes, ancient stories, and contemporary insights, Essential Buddhism is the first complete guide to the faith and the phenomenon.
Napoleon Hill's Golden Rules: The Lost Writings consists of a series of magazine articles Napoleon Hill wrote between 1919 and1923 for Success Magazine, of which he eventually become an editor. Hill's obsession with achieving material success had led him from poverty stricken Appalachian Mountains with the desire to study successful people. These articles focus on Hill's philosophy of success, drawing on the thoughts and experience of a multitude of rags-to-riches tycoons, showing readers how these successful people achieved such status. Many of his writings such as the chapter on Law of Attraction, written in the March 1919 issue, have recently basis of several bestselling books. Readers will discover principles that will assure their success if studied and put into action. Chapters include: Lesson #1: Your Social and Physical Heredity--Hills Golden Rule (May 1920) Lesson #2: Auto Suggestion--Napoleon Hill's Magazine (July 1921) Lesson #3: Suggestion (Applied Salesmanship)--Napoleon Hill's Magazine (August 1921) Lesson #4: The Law of Retaliation--Hill's Golden Rule (March 1919) Lesson #5: The Power of Your Mind (Little Odd Visits with Your Editor)--Hill's Golden Rule (October 1919) Lesson #6: How to Build Self-Confidence--Napoleon Hill's Magazine (June 1921) Lesson #7: Environment and Habit--Hill's Golden Rule (April 1919) Lesson #8: How to Remember--Hill's Golden Rule (May-June 1919) Lesson #9: How Marc Antony Used Suggestion in Winning the Roman Mob--Hill's Golden Rule (July 1919) Lesson #10: Persuasion vs. Force--Hill's Golden Rule (September 1919) Lesson #11: The Law of Compensation--Napoleon Hill's Magazine (April 1921) Lesson #12: The Golden Rule as a Pass Key to All Achievement--Napoleon Hill's Magazine (June 1921)
