Buddhist Philosophy

Over the course of twenty-five centuries, Buddhism spread from its place of origin in northern India to become a global tradition of remarkable breadth, depth, and richness. Donald S. Lopez Jr. draws on the latest scholarship to construct a detailed and innovative history of Buddhism—not just as a chronology through the centuries or as geographic movement, but as a dense matrix of interconnections.

In this lucid classic, beloved teacher Ayya Khema introduces the listener to the essence of the Buddhist path. She addresses the how and why of meditation, providing a clear framework for understanding the nature of karma and rebirth and the entirety of the eightfold path. With specific, practical advice, Ayya Khema illuminates the practices of compassion and sympathetic joy, and offers forthright guidance in working with the hindrances that we all encounter in meditation.

With poetry and clarity, Thich Nhat Hanh imparts comforting wisdom about the nature of suffering and its role in creating compassion, love, and joy – all qualities of enlightenment. “Thich Nhat Hanh shows us the connection between personal, inner peace, and peace on earth.”—His Holiness...

In this extended pamphlet, free-thinking advocate Henry Tichenor presents the life story of Gotama Buddha in the style of a hagiography, in which the fundamental doctrines of Buddhism are interwoven.

This volume continues to trace the development of Madhyamaka Buddhist philosophy in India after its initiator, Nagarjuna. It consists of translations of Sanskrit texts into easily readable English for the general educated public interested in Buddhism or philosophy. Notes and separate Essays dealing with the philosophical content are also included. Presented in this volume are the central philosophical writings of the last two prominent Indian Madhyamikas and two Madhyamaka critiques of the idea of a creator God. Parts of two texts by Chandrakirti are presented: Chapter 6 of Entering the ...

Nagarjuna initiated the Madhyamaka tradition in Mahayana Buddhism that influenced Zen and the Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Over the centuries, this tradition spawned in India two subtraditions and syncretic combinations with another Buddhist tradition. These developments will be traced in two volumes of translations of the basic texts from Sanskrit into easily readable English for the general educated public interested in Buddhism or philosophy. Texts available today in Sanskrit have been translated, and texts no longer extant in Sanskrit but existing in Tibetan or Chinese have been ...

What if everything you believe about reality is an illusion? What if, at the same time, everything is perfectly complete? These are not riddles—they are the foundations of two of the most powerful schools of Buddhist thought. For over a thousand years, Madhyamaka and Tiantai have shaped Buddhist philosophy, transforming how seekers, scholars, and practitioners understand existence. Madhyamaka tears down illusions, revealing that nothing—your thoughts, your identity, even the universe itself—has an independent essence. Tiantai, in contrast, builds up a grand, unifying vision, showing ...

Dive into the profound world of Theravada Buddhism for Beginners: Understanding the Core Teachings, a guide designed to unlock the timeless wisdom of an ancient tradition. This book is your companion on the journey to inner peace, clarity, and enlightenment. This comprehensive guide offers: Insightful Exploration: Discover the foundational teachings of Theravada Buddhism. Explore the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, which form the bedrock of ethical living and spiritual growth. Practical Guidance: Learn how to incorporate meditation and mindfulness into your daily life. This ...

From one of America’s most brilliant writers, a New York Times bestselling journey through psychology, philosophy, and lots of meditation to show how Buddhism holds the key to moral clarity and enduring happiness. At the heart of Buddhism is a simple claim: The reason we suffer—and the...

Unlock the Wisdom of the Buddha’s Core Teachings Step into the heart of ancient wisdom with Sutta Pitaka for Beginners: Insights into Mindfulness, Ethics, and Wisdom. This is more than a book—it’s your doorway to the foundational text that shaped centuries of Buddhist thought and practice. Discover the path to a more mindful, compassionate, and purposeful life. Reveal the Power of True Mindfulness Imagine experiencing every moment with clarity. The Suttas contain practical, timeless techniques for mindfulness, allowing you to approach each day with greater awareness. With insights ...

In her myriad forms, Tara - also known as the female Buddha of Tibet - has the power to protect us from inner and outer negativity, illuminate our self-sabotaging habits, cleanse mental and physical poisons, open us to abundance, give us strength and peace, help us fulfill our life purposes, and more. Here, listeners explore each of the 21 manifestations of Tara, engaging with each through traditional meditations, visualizations, praises, mantra chants, and the author's extensive experience as a depth psychologist. 

Drawing on decades of experience, a psychotherapist and Zen practitioner makes the Abhidharma—the framework of Buddhist psychology—accessible to a general audience for the first time. The Abhidharma, one of the 3 major text collections of the original Buddhist canon, explores the critical...

Buddhism is practiced by hundreds of millions of people worldwide, from Tibetan caves to Tokyo temples to redwood retreats. To an outside viewer, it might be hard to see what they all have in common. In Buddhism, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and American Buddhist nun Thubten Chodron map out with clarity the convergences and the divergences between the two major strains of Buddhism - the Sanskrit traditions of Tibet and East Asia and the Pali traditions of Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia.

Unlock the timeless wisdom of the Buddha with "Pāli Canon for Beginners: An Introduction to the Buddha's Words." This comprehensive guide will take you on an enlightening journey through the foundational texts of Theravāda Buddhism, offering clarity and insight for both newcomers and seasoned practitioners. Dive into the heart of Buddhist teachings with easy-to-understand explanations and practical applications: Discover the core principles that form the bedrock of Buddhism. Explore the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and other essential teachings that provide a roadmap to a ...

In simple and straightforward language, Bhante Gunaratana shares the Buddha's teachings on mindfulness and how we can use these principles to improve our daily lives, deepen our mindfulness, and move closer to our spiritual goals. Based on the classic Satipatthana Sutta, one of the most succinct yet rich explanations of meditation, Bhante's presentation is nonetheless thoroughly modern.

The E-CENT theory of anger says that anger is one of our basic emotions. It’s innate. It was selected by nature for its survival value. We would not survive for long without an innate sense of angering in response to abuse or neglect. We also would not survive for long if we did not quickly learn how to moderate our anger as young children. My anger is a two-edged sword. It can help to protect me, and it can attract hostile reactions from others. My basic emotion of anger is elaborated into a higher cognitive emotion through modelling by my mother and father and significant others in the ...

Embark on a journey into the heart of Buddhist wisdom, distilled from the most essential teachings in the Tripitaka. Buddhist Foundations: Monastic Code, Teachings, and Mind Training for Beginners brings you closer to the ancient principles that have guided seekers to inner peace and enlightenment for centuries. With this 3-in-1 collection, gain a clear and insightful understanding of the Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka—the cornerstone texts of Buddhism. Each page opens a new door to ancient wisdom, inviting you to explore the teachings that inspire greater self-...

Why do smart, capable people still feel anxious, restless, or quietly unsatisfied—even when everything should be fine? It’s not because something’s wrong with you. It’s because no one ever handed you a clear, reliable map for dealing with life’s inner friction. This book is that map. The Four Noble Truths for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Introduction to Buddhist Wisdom takes the Buddha’s earliest, most powerful teaching and makes it usable—right now, in your life, just as it is. You don’t need incense, robes, or a spiritual retreat. You need practical tools that work when ...

One of the greatest works created by any culture and overwhelmingly the most significant of all Tibetan Buddhist texts in the West, The Tibetan Book of the Dead has had a number of distinguished translations, but none encompassed the work in its entirety. Now, in one of the year's most important...

The Eternal Life of Spiritual Stories There is something magical about a spiritual story. It travels farther than sermons, lingers longer than lectures, and settles deeper than philosophies. A story whispered in a forest centuries ago can still awaken a heart today. A tale told by a wandering sage in an ancient marketplace can still stir a soul across continents and ages. Spiritual stories are the secret rivers of wisdom. They flow through civilizations, slipping past barriers of language, culture, and time. They do not age, they do not wither, and they do not become obsolete. Long after ...