Showing titles in Buddhism

Most people walk through life convinced that the world around them is solid, stable, and exactly as it appears. A chair is a chair. A self is a self. Reality seems obvious—until you begin to question it. What if the things you take for granted don’t actually exist the way you assume? What if the thoughts, beliefs, and identities you cling to are nothing more than useful illusions? Madhyamaka is the most powerful and mind-shifting philosophy in Buddhist thought. It doesn’t hand you new beliefs—it takes a sledgehammer to the old ones, revealing a world where everything is ...

AnamThubten, in remarkably easy-to-understand language, provides teachings for doing exactly that, based on the wisdom of the Buddhist traditions. He illuminates the path of going beyond the misconceptions of the ego to experience the reality of our true nature, which is already enlightened. He communicates with clarity, humor, and refreshing honesty, lighting the way to a life full of love, compassion, and true satisfaction.

For those of us who feel deeply committed to spiritual realization and to being instruments of benefit in the world, what Carl Jung called "the second half of life" represents a remarkable curriculum for awakening. When wisely understood, the bodily changes inherent in the aging process become stepping-stones on the road to liberation and the actualization of our best human qualities like wisdom, loving kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity.

Darkness is deeply misunderstood in today's world; yet it offers powerful medicine, serenity, strength, healing, and regeneration. All insight, vision, creativity, and revelation arise from darkness. It is through learning to stay present and meet the dark with curiosity rather than judgment that we connect to an unwavering light within. Welcoming darkness with curiosity, rather than fear or judgment, enables us to access our innate capacity for compassion and collective healing.

This collection of 21 short, soul-soothing Zen stories will help you see that true peace isn’t found in flawless outcomes—but in learning to love the cracks, the missteps, and the unfinished edges of life. Each story is quick and easy to read yet layered with timeless wisdom—gently guiding you toward self-acceptance, resilience, and inner calm.

How do you cope when facing life-threatening illness, family conflict, faltering relationships, old trauma, obsessive thinking, overwhelming emotion, or inevitable loss? If you're like most people, chances are you react with fear and confusion, falling back on timeworn strategies: anger, self-judgment, and addictive behaviors. Though these old, conditioned attempts to control our life may offer fleeting relief, ultimately they leave us feeling isolated and mired in pain. There is another way.

This moment is the gateway to enlightenment. It is the only moment we have to be joyful, mindful, and awake. The key is to be there for yourself - to learn to be fully present in your life. This, Thich Nhat Hanh explains, is the heart of Buddhist practice. In this introduction to the practice of presence, the beloved Buddhist teacher provides indispensable insight on the essentials of Buddhist thought and offers a range of simple, everyday practices for cultivating mindfulness.

Jan Chozen Bays, MD - physician and Zen teacher - has developed a series of simple practices to help us cultivate mindfulness as we go about our ordinary, daily lives. Exercises include: taking three deep breaths before answering the phone, noticing and adjusting your posture throughout the day, eating mindfully, and leaving no trace of yourself after using the kitchen or bathroom. Each exercise is presented with tips on how to remind yourself and a short life lesson connected with it.

The purpose of this work is to show you how to apply and utilize the teachings and essence of Zen in everyday life in the Western society. I’m not really an “absolute truth seeker” unworldly type of person - I just believe in practical plans and blueprints that actually help in living a better life. Of course, I will tell you about the origin of Zen and the traditional ways of practicing it, but I will also show you my side of things, my personal point of view, and translation of many Zen truths into a more “contemporary” and practical language.

In A Trackless Path renowned translator and teacher Ken McLeod offers a beautiful and evocative translation and commentary of one of the many poems that the 18th century Tibetan mystic Jigmé Lingpa wrote on the practice of Dzogchen, one of the great wisdom traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. McLeod makes this ancient poem relevant and accessible to today's seeker.

Still Thoughts, Volume One comprises the distilled wisdom of Dharma Master Cheng Yen, presented in concise passages. These succinct aphorisms, found in the initial section of the book, are imbued with profound insights, inviting readers to introspect. Perfect for daily contemplation and practice, they offer brief yet impactful teachings to illuminate one's spiritual journey, whether one is new to or already familiar with Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s teachings. The second segment features inquiries from volunteers or visitors concerning common life situations. Dharma Master Cheng Yen ...

Master Cheng Yen does not differentiate visitors by their social status or occupations. To Master, every person who visits, whether coming from near or far, is an honored guest and a friend who cares about Tzu Chi. These people come from many different fields of professions, including mass communication, religion, medicine, environmental protection, academia, politics, business, and so on. Among these myriad visitors, some are renowned. The purpose of this book is to pass on the wisdom gathered from these conversations between Master Cheng Yen and her visitors and to help readers understand...

The Sutra of Infinite Meanings is a very important Buddhist sutra. It can be seen as a turning point in the Buddha teachings, coming after He had already expounded the Dharma for over forty years. It is also an introduction to the Lotus Sutra. Therefore, Master Cheng Yen often stresses that the Sutra of Infinite Meanings contains the essence of the Lotus Sutra. The Sutra of Infinite Meanings is divided into three chapters – Virtues, Expounding the Dharma, and The Ten Merits. These Infinite Meanings arise from One Dharma; this One Dharma is of non-appearance. As living beings have ...

This inspiring and enlightening collection of 70 Buddhist stories told by Dharma Master Cheng Yen exemplifies how the karmic law of cause and effect plays out in people’s lives – unwholesome karma is created by deeply rooted negative habitual tendencies, eventually leading to undesirable consequences. By learning the Dharma, however, people will understand the truths of suffering and will come to realize the manifold blessings in their lives. They will be further inspired to tread the Bodhisattva Path and to practice the Six Paramitas. It is only by doing so that they can return to ...

"What is karma?” “Which is more important: harmony or principles?” “How can we understand ourselves?” “How can we be understanding toward others?” “What is true spiritual cultivation?” Dharma Master Cheng Yen answers these and other questions from people seeking guidance in their spiritual journey.　 Infinite TEACHINGS, Infinite MEANINGS is a collection of questions and answers that are organized based on the key concepts in Chapter Two of the Sutra of Infinite Meanings ─ “Expounding the Dharma.” In this book, Dharma Master Cheng Yen wisely answers questions related...

In this era, natural disasters are becoming ever more frequent. As the greenhouse effect warms the earth, the situation is indeed worrisome. Only when hearts are purified can this ecological crisis be mitigated. Only when hearts are united and working as one can the suffering be saved. We must seize time, space, and interpersonal relationships to actively create blessings. In recent years, Dharma Master Cheng Yen has been worrying about erratic climate changes and various natural and manmade disasters. Master Cheng Yen suggests we should cherish our lives, this world, and our relationships ...

“When you are determined to do something, now is as good a time as any.” “Human beings, by nature, tend to take things for granted and think that they would last forever. But life is short and all things are impermanent, so we must treasure the moments where there is peace and when we are with our loved ones.” This book is written by Chinese American author Yu-ing Ching through interviews with Master Cheng Yen, the master’s monastic disciples and her foster mother, as well as Tzu Chi’s staff, volunteers, and aid recipients. The author engages readers with her thoughtful and ...

Even if a person lives a hundred years, he will die eventually. This is the natural cycle of life and death, which was determined before we were born. Nonetheless, when we face this final parting from life, how many of us can do so without sorrow? How many of us are able to thoroughly penetrate the truth of life and death and let go? In this book, Master Cheng Yen teaches us when faced with the lessons of living and dying, we must learn how to let go. Moreover, we must strive to truly make good use of each moment as we live. The most important thing we can do is to make full use of this ...

"Tilopa's spirit has survived as a distinctive voice with a message that resonates with each new generation. STONES TO SHATTER THE STAINLESS MIRROR clearly articulates Tilopa's voice." -Lawrence Birney

Since the publication of the first two volumes of Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s Still Thoughts in English (“Jing Si” in Chinese) in 1996, many people have been touched by her wise and compassionate words. Still Thoughts Volume I and II were followed by an additional volume called Jing Si Aphorisms Volume 3 in 2010, as well as several other aphorism collections in books and other formats. These Still Thoughts and Jing Si Aphorisms have been translated from the original Chinese into as many as eighteen languages, making their concise wisdom accessible to people the world over. On the ...