A reissue of the most popular collection of teachings from Buddhist literature, selected by one of the best known American Buddhist teachers--with a new preface and afterword
Jack Kornfield, one of the most respected American Buddhist teachers, has compiled these teachings to impart the essence and inspiration of Buddhism to readers of all spiritual traditions. This treasury of essential Buddhist writings draws from the most popular Indian, Tibetan, Chinese, and Japanese sources, and is perfect for those both new to Buddhism and longtime practitioners. Among the selections:
· Some of the earliest recorded sayings of the Buddha on the practice of freedom
· Passages from later Indian scriptures on the perfection of wisdom
· Verses from Tibetan masters on the enlightened mind
· Songs in praise of meditation by Zen teachers
· New selections on the role of women in early Buddhism
Also included are traditional instructions on how to practice sitting meditation, cultivate calm awareness, and live with compassion.
From Publishers Weekly
Buddhist teacher Kornfield offers the essence of Buddhist teachings on enlightenment and transcendence in this new edition of his classic compilation of verse, parables and meditations. The selected teachings, translated by Thich Nhat Hanh, Thomas Byrom and Gil Fronsdal, a Zen priest with whom Kornfield trained in Southeast Asia, come from both ancient texts of the Buddha’s lessons and the poetic instructions of bodhisattvas, or awakened teachers, from India, Tibet, China and Japan. Eschewing both luxury and asceticism, the Buddha discovered a "Middle Path" of inner and outer balance in his search for enlightenment. "The Dharma of the Buddha does not require a person to go into homelessness or to resign from the world, unless he or she feels called upon to do so," advises the teacher Ashvaghosha in "Living in the World," but instead it "requires every person to free themselves from the illusion of self, to cleanse one’s heart, to give up one’s thirst for pleasure, and lead a life of righteousness." Like other religious texts, many of the teachings focus on the basic steps toward spiritual awakening, such as mindfulness, generosity, and loving-kindness. These tend to be short, comprehensible and quietly poetic. On Virtue, the Buddha said: "Like garlands woven from a heap of flowers, Fashion from your life as many good deeds." There are parables whose messages are not as straightforward, of course, and there, readers are left to their own musings, since aside from Kornfield’s brief introduction, the book only presents the inspiring literature.
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Review
"A remarkably readable book that records some of the earliest recorded sayings of the historic Buddha."— East and West Series
"An inspirational treasury of essential teachings from Buddhist literature—selected by one of the best-known American Buddhist teachers."— Snow Lion
About the Author
Jack Kornfield is one of the key teachers to have brought Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. He is the cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, and Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California. His books include After the Ecstasy, the Laundry; The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace; Meditation for Beginners; and The Wise Heart.