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Theravada
The Way of the Elders
Theravada, also called Hinayana (the "lesser vehicle"), is said to have continued unaltered the practices set forth by the Buddha himself 2500 years ago. Vipassana (insight meditation) is a Theravadin teaching.
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Ajahn Chah, Being Dharma: The Essence of the Buddha’s TeachingsForeword by Jack Kornfield; translated by Paul Breiter (both were students of Ajahn Chah).
“Ajahn Chah (1919-1992) was a beloved Thai Buddhist master whose teachings were refreshingly uncompromising in their clarity and certainty—the certainty of a practitioner who has achieved a deep understanding of the Buddha’s teachings. He influenced a generation of Western teachers.
“In Being Dharma, Ajahn Chah offers a thorough exploration of Theravada Buddhism in a gentle, humorous style that makes us feel as though we are being entertained by a story. He emphasizes the path to freedom from emotional and psychological suffering and reminds us that by taking ourselves too seriously we cause unnecessary hardship for ourselves and other people.”
Shambhala, 2001. 221 pages, about 6 x 9 inches, paperback. New.
Item #467. Shipping weight: 1.1 lb. Publisher’s price: $16.95. Your price: $15.25
Julius Evola, The Doctrine of Awakening: The Attainment of Self-Mastery According to the Earliest Buddhist TextsTranslated from the Italian by H.E. Musson
“In this brilliant analysis of the oldest P~li texts, Evola places Buddhism—the ‘Doctrine of Awakening’—in its original cultural context. The early teachings, he suggests, offer the foremost example of an active and heroic spirituality that is opposed to the more passive, modern forms of theistic religion that are based on faith, dogma, and devotion. This sophisticated, highly readable analysis of the theory and practice of Buddhist asceticism, first published in Italian, elucidates the central truths of the eightfold path and cuts through the later accretions and adulterations to Buddhist doctrine.”
First published in 1943 as La dottrina del risveglio.
Inner Traditions, 1996. 246 pages, about 6 x 9 inches, paperback. New.
Item #666. Shipping weight: 1.3 lb. Publisher’s price: $16.95. Your price: $15.25
Ayya Khema, Visible Here & Now: The Buddha’s Teachings on the Rewards of Spiritual PracticeTranslated by Peter Heinegg, edited by Leigh Brasington; with a translation of the S~maZZaphala Sutta by Bhikkhu Bodhi
“This practical commentary on one of the most important scriptures of the Pali canon will provide essential sustenance for Buddhist practitioners. Ayya Khema is a mountain of strength, encouragement, and love as she pours out down-to-earth practical instruction on the journey to enlightenment, following the framework set forth in the Samannaphala-sutta, the Buddha’s discourse on the rewards of spiritual life.
“The sutta contains the Buddha’s teachings in response to questions posed by King Ajatasattu. Why, the king asked, should we give up the satisfactions of worldly life and devote ourselves to meditation? What are the tangible benefits—‘visible here and now’—to be gained from following the Buddha’s way? In answering this question, the Buddha provides a compact synopsis of the entirety of the spiritual path, and Ayya Khema expands on this with her characteristic approach—simple, direct, experiential, and loving.”
Published by Shambhala, 2001. 214 pages, about 6 x 9 inches, paperback. New, bargain remainder.
Item #AK-VISIBLE. Shipping weight: 1.0 lb. Cover price: $14.95. Your price: $6.50
Ayya Khema, Who Is My Self? A Guide to Buddhist MeditationThe Potthapada Sutta, the Buddha's Words on Self and Consciousness
"In this beautifully crafted guide to one of the Buddha's most famous teachings, Ayya Khema leads you, as the Buddha led his disciple Potthapada, through progressively higher levels of understanding and realization of the true nature of the "self." Interpreting this famous discourse with insightful examples from her years of teaching meditation, she guides you along the path of perhaps the most effective Buddhist meditative practice for personal transformation. Along the way you will learn about the language, customs, and culture of the era in which the Buddha gave his discourses and be surprised at how pertinent this 2500 year-old teaching is for you and your world."
Ayya Khema was born in Germany to Jewish parents in 1923. She has lived in Scotland, China, Australia and now lives in Germany (when not teaching elsewhere in the world), where she established the first Buddhist forest monastery in that country.
Wisdom Publications, 1997. 181 pages, about 6 x 9 inches, paperback. New.
Item #648. Shipping weight: 0.8 lb. Publisher's price: $14.95. Your price: $13.45
Jack Kornfield & Paul Breiter (compiler), A Still Forest Pool: The Insight Meditation of Achaan Chah"Achaan Chah spent many years walking and meditating in the forest monastery of Wat Ba Pong, engaging in the uncomplicated and disciplined Buddhist practice called dhudanga. A Still Forest Pool reflects the quiet, intensive, and joyous practice of the forest monks of Thailand. Achaan Chah's humble words, compiled by two Westerners who are former ordained monks, awaken the spirit of inquiry, wonderment, understanding, and deep inner peace."
"Attachment, according to Achaan Chah, causes all suffering. Understanding the impermanent, insecure, and selfless nature of life is the message he offers for human happiness and realization. To vividly grasp the meaning of attachment leads us to a new place of practice—the path of balance, the Middle Path."
Quest Books, 1985, 2004 printing. 192 pages, about 5¼ x 8¼ inches, paperback. New.
Item #797. Shipping weight: 0.9 lb. Publisher's price: $13.00. Your price: $11.70
Bhikkhu Ñanamoli, The Life of the Buddha: According to the Pali CanonThis work is a translation of the oldest written records (the Pali Canon) depicting the life of Gotama who became the Buddha, by an Englishman who became a bhikkhu (monk) in Sri Lanka in the middle of the last century.
"This unique biography presents the Buddha’s revolutionary solution for humanity that leads to the end of ill will, craving, and delusion. Though born a prince surrounded by luxuries, Gotama the Buddha was transformed by realizing that no one escapes unhappiness. He spent the remainder of his life discovering, then imparting, the answer to the great question: 'Is there a way out of the cycle of suffering?'"
BPS Pariyatti Editions, 2001. 377 pages, about 5½ x 8½ inches, paperback. New.
Item #471. Shipping weight: 1.5 lbs. Publisher’s price: $21.00. Your price: $18.90
Walpola Rahula, What the Buddha Taught This may be the best introduction to traditional Buddhist teachings, as given in the older, Pali scriptures. The author gives frequent references to original writings, and includes a brief selection of them. Rahula's primary focus is on the Four Noble Truths, the core of Buddhism, and on understanding the finer points of each. He is so energetic in his defence of particular interpretations and so upbeat on their implications, that I am tempted to call him an evangelical Buddhist!
Grove Press, 1974. 151 pages, about 5½ x 8 inches, paperback.
New.
Item #656. Shipping weight: 0.8 lb. Publisher's price: $13.00. Your price: $11.70
Gerald Roscoe, The Triple Gem: An Introduction to Buddhism
The basics by an American who emigrated to Thailand, and presented from the point of view of the tradition in that nation. The three aspects of the "Triple Gem" are the Dhamma, the Buddha, and the monastic order (the Sangha).
Silkworm Books, 1994. 186 pages, about 5¾ x 8 inches, paperback. New.
Item #675. Shipping weight: 0.9 lb. Publisher's price: $12.95. Your price: $11.65
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