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Buddhism For DummiesStock informationGeneral Fields
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DescriptionFrom the outside, Buddhism seems like a bundle of contradictions wrapped inside a paradox. It is a religion without a god, a belief system without rules, and a faith that encourages its adherents to question everything, including its own teachings. You could spend a lifetime studying Buddhist texts and following its observances and still feel like you've only just barely scratched the surface. Yet, over the past 2500 years, this lovely religion that preaches compassion, generosity, tolerance, selflessness and self--awareness has commanded the fervent devotion of hundreds of millions of people around the world who believe it to be the true path to enlightenment. If you're curious about Buddhism but feel intimidated by all the exotic jargon and strange trappings, this book is for you. Reviewsanother interesting title that seems written for anything but dummies (Alain de Botton in The Observer, July 4th, 2004) Author descriptionJonathan Landaw has been both an editor and author of dharma books as well as a popular teacher at dharma centers around the world. Stephan Bodian has studied and practiced several schools of Buddhism including Zen, Vipassana, and Tibetan Vajrayana traditions. Table of contentsIntroduction. Part I: Introducing Buddhism. Chapter 1: What is Buddhism? Chapter 2: Understanding Your Mind: The Creator of All Experience. Part II: Buddhism Past and Present. Chapter 3: Surveying the Life and Teachings of the Historical Buddha. Chapter 4: Charting the Development of Buddhism in India. Chapter 5: Following Buddhism to the Present Day. Part III: Buddhism in Practice. Chapter 6: Turning to Buddhism. Chapter 7: Meditation: The Central Practice of Buddhism. Chapter 8: A Day in the Life of a Buddhist. Chapter 9: Walking in Buddha's Footsteps. Part IV: Traveling the Buddhist Path. Chapter 10: What is Enlightenment Anyway? Chapter 11: A Matter of Life and Death. Chapter 12: Getting Your Karmic Act Together. Chapter 13: Breaking Free of the Cycle of Dissatisfaction. Chapter 14: Fulfilling Your Brightest Potential. Chapter 15: Four Modern Buddhist Masters. Part V: The Part of Tens. Chapter 16: Ten Common Misconceptions about Buddhism. Chapter 17: Ten Ways Buddhism Can Help You Deal with Life's Problems. Part VI: Appendixes. Appendix A: Brushing Up Your Sanskrit: A Glossary of Useful Buddhist Terms. Appendix B: Additional Buddhist Resources to Check Out. Index. |