Buddhism For Dummies
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Your hands-on guide to this widely practiced and ancient religion Buddhism, one of the world's most widely practiced religions, is a fascinating yet complex eastern religion that is rapidly spreading throughout western civilization. What does it mean to be a Buddhist? What are the fundamental beliefs and history behind this religion? Buddhism For Dummies explores these questions and more in this updated guide to Buddhist culture.
You'll gain an understanding of the origins of this ancient practice and how they're currently applied to everyday life. Whether you're a searcher of truth, a student of religions, or just curious about what makes Buddhism such a widely practiced religion, this guide is for you. In plain English, it defines the important terms, explains the key concepts, and explores in-depth a wide range of fascinating topics.
New and expanded coverage on all the schools of Buddhism, including Theravada, Tibetan, and Mahayana The continuing relevance of the Dalai Lama Updated coverage on daily observances, celebrations, styles, practices, meditation, and more Continuing the Dummies tradition of making the world's religions engaging and accessible to everyone, Buddhism For Dummies is your essential guide to this fascinating religion.
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- Wiley Professional Development (P&T)
- 9781119643234
- 9781119643265
- ePub
- 2
- Jonathan Landaw; Stephan Bodian; Gudrun Bühnemann
- English
- 2019-08-07
- 100
- 10
- 2
Kaflar
- Cover
- Introduction
- About This Book
- Conventions Used in This Book
- How This Book Is Organized
- Icons Used in This Book
- Where to Go from Here
- Part 1: Embarking on a Journey: The Basics of Buddhism
- Chapter 1: Entering the World of Buddhism: The Basics
- Figuring Out Whether Buddhism Is a Religion
- Recognizing the Role of the Buddha
- Understanding the Function of Philosophy in Buddhism
- Appreciating Buddhist Practices
- Dedicating Your Life to the Benefit of All Beings
- Chapter 2: Understanding Your Mind: The Creator of All Experience
- Recognizing How Your Mind Shapes Your Experience
- Contrasting the Body and Mind
- Approaching the Mind from Three Different Buddhist Perspectives
- Appreciating the Fundamental Purity of Your Mind
- Tracing the Path of Wisdom and Loving Compassion
- Part 2: A Short History of Buddhism
- Chapter 3: Surveying the Life and Teachings of the Historical Buddha
- Revealing the Buddha’s Early Life
- Beginning the Quest
- Sitting in the Shade of the Bodhi Tree: The Defeat of Mara
- Benefiting Others: The Buddha’s Career in Full Gear
- Understanding the Four Noble Truths
- Envisioning the Future
- Chapter 4: The Development of Buddhism on the Indian Subcontinent
- Convening the First Buddhist Council
- Spreading the Teachings — Peacefully
- A Fork in the Road: Managing a Developing Split in the Buddhist Community
- Making Buddhism a Religion of the People: The Emperor Ashoka’s Influence
- Two Levels of Practice in Early Buddhism
- Witnessing Shifting Allegiances and New Ideals
- Recognizing the Major Mahayana Themes
- Chronicling the Rise of the Mahayana Teachings
- Looking at the Decline and Reappearance of Buddhism in India
- Moving Mountains: Buddhism in Nepal
- Chapter 5: Watching Developments Continue to the Present Day
- Tracing the Two Routes of Buddhism
- Spreading the Way of the Elders Across Southeast Asia to the West
- Driving the Great Vehicle to China and Beyond
- Part 3: Behaving Like a Buddhist
- Chapter 6: Turning to Buddhism
- Proceeding at Your Own Pace
- Getting Acquainted with the Teachings of Buddhism
- Formally Becoming a Buddhist
- Entering the Monastic Way
- Chapter 7: Meditation: A Central Practice of Buddhism
- Dispelling Some Meditation Myths
- Defining Meditation
- Exploring the Benefits of Meditation
- Understanding the Threefold Nature of Buddhist Meditation
- Developing the Three Wisdoms As the Foundation for Insight
- Chapter 8: A Day in the Life of a Buddhist Practitioner
- Surveying the Role of Monasteries in Buddhism
- Renouncing Worldly Attachments: A Day in the Life of a Western Buddhist Monk
- Growing a Lotus in the Mud: A Day in the Life of a Zen Practitioner
- Devoting Yourself to the Three Jewels: A Day in the Life of a Vajrayana Practitioner
- Trusting the Mind of Amida: A Day in the Life of a Pure Land Buddhist
- Chapter 9: Walking in the Buddha’s Footsteps
- Visiting the Primary Places of Pilgrimage
- Seeing Other Important Pilgrimage Sites
- Going on Pilgrimage Today
- Part 4: Exploring the Buddhist Path
- Chapter 10: What Is Enlightenment, Anyway?
- Considering the Many Faces of Spiritual Realization
- Reviewing the Theravada Tradition’s Take on Nirvana
- Getting a Handle on Two Traditions of Wisdom
- Realizing the Mind’s Essential Purity in the Vajrayana Tradition
- Standing Nirvana on Its Head with Zen
- Finding the Common Threads in Buddhist Enlightenment
- Chapter 11: A Matter of Life and Death
- Taking Death Personally
- Recognizing Your Life As a Rare and Precious Opportunity
- Facing Reality: The Nine-Part Death Meditation
- Reaping the Result of the Death Meditation
- Dealing with the Death of a Loved One
- Surveying Attitudes toward Death in Buddhist Traditions
- Chapter 12: Minding the Concept of Karma
- Appreciating the Law of Karmic Cause and Effect
- Experiencing Karmic Consequences
- Following the Buddha’s Ethical Guidance
- Exploring the Buddhist Precepts
- Dealing with Transgressions
- Chapter 13: Breaking Free of the Cycle of Dissatisfaction
- Feeling Like Life’s a Big Rat Race
- Spinning the Wheel of Life: The Meaning of Wandering in Samsara
- Cutting through Suffering: The Three Trainings
- Chapter 14: Fulfilling Your Highest Potential
- Ordering a Round of Happiness for Everyone and Everything
- Dedicating Your Heart to Others
- Nurturing the Four Divine Abodes
- Cultivating the Six Perfections of a Bodhisattva
- Chapter 15: Life Stories of Four Buddhist Masters
- Dipa Ma (1911–1989)
- Ajahn Chah (1918–1992)
- Thich Nhat Hanh (Born 1926)
- The Dalai Lama (Born 1935)
- Part 5: The Part of Tens
- Chapter 16: Ten Common Misconceptions about Buddhism
- Buddhism Is Only for Asians
- To Buddhists, the Buddha Is God
- Buddhists Are Idol Worshippers
- Because Buddhists Think Life Is Suffering, They Look Forward to Dying
- Buddhists Think That Everything Is an Illusion
- Buddhists Don’t Believe in Anything
- Only Buddhists Can Practice Buddhism
- Buddhists Are Interested Only in Contemplating Their Navels
- Buddhists Never Get Angry
- “It’s Just Your Karma; There’s Nothing You Can Do about It”
- Buddhists Don’t Know How to Count
- Chapter 17: Ten Ways Buddhism Can Help You Deal with Life’s Problems
- Affirming the Basic Principles
- Applying the Basic Principles
- Part 6: Appendixes
- Appendix A: Explaining Buddhist Terms
- Appendix B: Additional Buddhist Resources to Check Out
- The Story of the Buddha
- Buddhist Classics, Old and New
- Well Worth Reading
- By and about the Modern Masters
- Women and Buddhism
- Socially Engaged Buddhism
- At Your Local Newsstand
- Index
- About the Authors
- Advertisement Page
- Connect with Dummies
- End User License Agreement