Synopses & Reviews
Perfect for both beginners and experienced meditators, this practical guide offers an introduction to the expansive inner world of meditation as well as a series of 21 step-by-step meditations, leading to increasingly peaceful and beneficial states of mind, which together form the entire Buddhist path to enlightenment. By following simple meditation instructions, readers can experience the inner tranquility and lightness of mind that comes from meditation, to reduce life's difficulties and bring greater happiness for ourself and others. Clear and relevant meditation break practices are revealed, so readers can integrate the meditations into their daily activities to reduce tension and improve relationships.
Review
- “Geshe Kelsang Gyatso has proven to be a popular and accessible authority” –Library Journal
- “Geshe Kelsang Gyatso illuminates the very heart of Buddhist thought and practice.” –Booklist
- “Geshe Kelsang Gyatso is a highly respected meditation master and scholar of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition.” –Spirituality & Health
Synopsis
A dynamic and comprehensive presentation of Buddha’s teachings, including practical explanations on how to attain lasting happiness and freedom from problems for ourselves and others. With clear and accessible language, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso guides the reader from the fundamentals of Buddhist meditation and philosophy, through a powerful explanation of the true nature of reality, to reveal the preciousness of Tantra—offering the paths to liberation and enlightenment to modern, busy people. A brief history of Kadampa Buddhism shows how Buddha’s timeless teachings have traveled from teacher to student over thousands of years, and how Buddhists in the West are now applying what was once available only to mystics and monks—practical advice to solve our daily problems and accomplish the real meaning of our human life. This inspiring handbook for daily practice is designed for those seeking solutions within Buddhism to the problems of everyday life, as well as to encourage people of all faiths to deepen their understanding and enjoyment of the spiritual paths.
Synopsis
Beginning with Buddha's life story, this compelling guide reveals how Buddha's
extraordinary wisdom is the method to achieve lasting happiness and freedom from
life's problems. Meditation is explained clearly and simply as a tool for developing
transformative qualities such as inner peace, love, and joy. The essential principles of
Buddhism and the Buddhist way of life are accessible to beginners, and this clear
presentation will also inspire those who have been practicing for years.
Synopsis
This practical guide clearly explains the fundamentals of Buddhist view, and step-by-step instructions on how to experience more love in our heart and our life to benefit ourself and others. Buddhist principles are explained such as how to attain inner peace, what is the mind, what happens at the time of our death, and karma. Readers can learn simple methods to transform their minds and lives through an exploration of the real meaning of their human life, how to find the source of happiness, and the actual methods to solve our daily problems.
Synopsis
Modern Buddhism is a special presentation of Buddha's teachings on compassion and wisdom that communicates their essence in a way that is easy to understand and put into practice.
About the Author
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso was ordained as a Buddhist monk in Tibet at the age of eight. He is a fully accomplished meditation master, prolific author, and international teacher who has lived in the West since 1977 and has founded over 1,100 Kadampa Buddhist meditation centers and groups around the world. His 21 acclaimed books reveal the entire Buddhist path to enlightenment, including Buddha’s Sutra and Tantra teachings.
Table of Contents
Illustrations
Preface
PART ONE: SUTRA
Preliminary Explanation
What is Buddhism?
Buddhist Faith
Who are the Kadampas?
The Preciousness of Kadam Lamrim
The Path of a Person of Initial Scope
The Preciousness of our Human Life
What Does our Death Mean?
The Dangers of Lower Rebirth
Going for Refuge
What is Karma?
The Path of a Person of Intermediate Scope
What we should know
What we should abandon
What we should practice
What we should attain
The Path of a Person of Great Scope
The Supreme Good Heart—Bodhichitta
Training in Affectionate Love
Training in Cherishing Love
Training in Wishing Love
Training in Universal Compassion
Training in Actual Bodhichitta
Training in the Path of Bodhichitta
Training in the Six Perfections
Training in Taking in Conjunction with the Practice of the Six Perfections
Training in Giving in Conjunction with the Practice of the Six Perfections
Training in Ultimate Bodhichitta
What is Emptiness?
The Emptiness of our Body
The Emptiness of our Mind
The Emptiness of our I
The Emptiness of the Eight Extremes
Conventional and Ultimate Truths
The Union of the Two Truths
The Practice of Emptiness in our Daily Activities
A Simple Training in Ultimate Bodhichitta
Examination of our Lamrim practice
PART TWO: TANTRA
The Preciousness of Tantra
The Tantra of Generation Stage
The Tantra of Completion Stage
The Central Channel
The Indestructible Drop
The Indestructible Wind and Mind
How to Meditate on the Central Channel
How to Meditate on the Indestructible Drop
How to Meditate on the Indestructible Wind and Mind
The Completion Stage of Mahamudra
Great Bliss
The Practice of Heruka Body Mandala
The Lineage of these Instructions
What is the Heruka Body Mandala?
The Preliminary Practices
Training in the Generation Stage of Heruka Body Mandala
Training in Completion Stage
The Instructions of Vajrayogini
The Yogas of Sleeping, Rising, and Experiencing Nectar
The Remaining Eight Yogas
Dedication
Appendix I—Liberating Prayer
Appendix II—Prayers for Meditation
Appendix III—An Explanation of Channels
Appendix IV—An Explanation of Inner Winds
Appendix V—The Yoga of Buddha Heruka
Appendix VI—Blissful Journey
Appendix VII—Quick Path to Great Bliss
Appendix VIII—The nada
Glossary
Bibliography
Index