The Buddhism of Tibet (Combined Volume)

The Buddhism of Tibet (Combined Volume)

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Book Specification

Item Code: NAC466
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
Edition: 1987
ISBN: 9788120803756
Pages: 220
Cover: Paperback
Other Details 8.5 Inch X 5.5 Inch
Weight 210 gm

Book Description

Back of the Book

Comprising the Buddhism of Tibet and the Key to the Middle Way by Tenzin Gyatso, The Fourteenth Dalai Lama and the Precious Garland and the Song of the four Mindfulnesses by Nagarjuna and the Seventh Dalai Lama.

The Buddhism of Tibet consists of four texts, the first two written by the fourteenth Dalai Lama himself and the remaining two chosen by him for Western readers:

The Buddhism of Tibet: In this excellent introduction, the Dalai Lama, explains the principal topics and central practices of Buddhism.

The Key to the Middle Way: The Dalai Lama leads the student to the discovery of the true meaning of emptiness. With acute precision, he presents many insights into the nature of emptiness. The Precious Garland by Nagarjuna:

Originally written for a king this text is famous for its descriptions of the Bodhisattva path of compassion and for its clear, concise analysis of the Buddha’s teaching on emptiness. It describes how to find happiness by cultivating virtues of body, speech and mind and how to amass the stores of merit and wisdom required for enlightenment.

The Song of the Four Mindfulnesses by the 7th Dalai Lama: This short poem, accompanied by a commentary by the present Dalai Lama, contains all the essentials of Sutra and tantra. It is to be used as a basis for meditations on mindfulness of the guru, altruism, deity yoga and emptiness.

Foreword

Sentient beings in general and mankind in particular have made and are continuing to make efforts to bring about their happiness and comfort by many different methods in accordance with their varying abilities. However, through a multitude of bad causes, both external and internal, they are continually tormented by many sufferings such as mental agitation and so forth. People in particular, unlike other living beings, create disturbances for themselves and others by reason of differences such as of country, race, political system and theory. As a result of these differences, groups of men are amassed, war is made and so on. Like intentionally putting a finger in its own eye, mankind consciously engages in many techniques that bring various undesirable consequences upon itself, such as causes for fear, man-made diseases, starvation and untimely death.

I have thought that under the circumstances of such a delicate time as described above, it would be wonderful if even a few people for a short period could have some internal peace. Also, many intelligent persons are analysing and seeking the meaning of emptiness. Based on that, I have commissioned the translation into English and publication of the following works:

The Buddhism of Tibet and The Key to the Middle Way, both by myself.

The Precious Garland of Advice for the King, by the protector Nagarjuna. This good explanation is a great compendium of both the profound emptiness and the extensive deeds of compassion, illuminating as well techniques for social welfare. The Song of the Four Mindfuinesses, by Kaysang Gyatso, the Seventh Dalai Lama. This work has only a few words, but contains all the essentials of sutra and tantra.

The present volume contains my own works, followed by the two texts by Nagarjuna and Kaysang Gyatso.

Preface

This introduction to Tibetan Buddhism in intended for beginners. The first half is a revised version of the appendix called An Outline of Buddhism in Tibet in my book My Land and My People. The second half expounds briefly the significance of the refuge, the concordance of actions and their fruits, the three trainings and Bodhicitta.

May those who seek the path of peace and happiness find it.

Contents

Foreword
I. The Buddhism of Tibet 13
The need for religious practice in our present lives 15
The need for religious practice for our future lives 16
Buddhism, one of the many religions of the world; its teacher 17
The spread of Buddhism to Tibet 21
The meaning of dharma 23
The four noble truths 23
Cyclic existence and sentient beings 24
Cause of cyclic existence 25
Actions 26
Liberation 27
Hinayana 28
Mahayana 29
Tantrayana 29
The two truths 31
A general outline of the practice of Buddhism 32
A specific outline of the practice of Buddhism 33
The three refuges 34
Training in higher ethics 35
Training in higher meditative stabilisation 36
Training in higher wisdom 41
The mind of enlightenment 46
II The Key to the Middle Way 49
Notes 90
Bibliography 91
Glossary 94
Index 95
III Precious Garland of Advice for the King by Nagarjuna 107
Introduction 109
1. High Status and Definite Goodness 111
2. An Interwoven Explanation of Definite Goodness and High Status 126
3. The Collections for Enlightenment 141
4. Royal Policy 156
5. The Bodhisattva Deeds 172
Guide to the stanzas by Gyel-tsap 188
Notes 204
IV Song of the Four Mindfulnesses by Kaysang Gyatso, the Seventh Dalai Lama 207
Introduction 209
1. Mindfulness of the Teacher 211
2. Mindfulness of the Altruistic Aspiration to Highest Enlightenment 211
3. Mindfulness of Your Body ass a Divine Body 211
4. Mindfulness of the View of Emptiness 212
Notes 213

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