|
Books > Children's & Educational > Humanities > Religious education / world faiths > Buddhism
The practice of mindfulness has received increasing attention and
recognition in recent years as a simple, important, and effective
means for maintaining physical and emotional health and well-being.
Mindfulness involves focusing your attention on immediate present
experiences with a compassionate, nonjudgmental attitude. This book
presents a practical, step-by-step approach for establishing your
own mindfulness practice. Brief introductory chapters explain the
scientifically proven effects on health, as well as the philosophy
behind this ancient practice. The remainder of the book consists of
25 experiential lessons that guide you through various meditative
practices. You will learn to be mindful of your breath, sounds,
sights, tastes, movements, physical sensations, thoughts, and
feelings as you maintain a compassionate attitude toward yourself
and others. With sustained attention, you will develop the ability
to respond to life's experiences with calmness and acceptance, even
the difficult experiences that we cannot control. Given the
prevalence of anxiety, stress, depression, and other emotional
turmoil in our fast-paced environment, mindfulness has become more
important than ever. This book is essential reading for everyone
who wants to begin or expand their own mindfulness practice
Language in the Buddhist Tantra of Japan dismantles the
preconception that Buddhism is a religion of mystical silence,
arguing that language is in fact central to the Buddhist tradition.
By examining the use of 'extraordinary language'-evocations calling
on the power of the Buddha-in Japanese Buddhist Tantra, Richard K.
Payne shows that such language was not simply cultural baggage
carried by Buddhist practitioners from South to East Asia. Rather,
such language was a key element in the propagation of new forms of
belief and practice. In contrast to Western approaches to the
philosophy of language, which are grounded in viewing language as a
form of communication, this book argues that it is the Indian and
East Asian philosophies of language that shed light on the use of
language in meditative and ritual practices in Japan. It also
illuminates why language was conceived as an effective means of
progress on the path from delusion to awakening.
Buddha in Your Backpack opens by telling the life story of Buddha
in a style any teen will easily identify with--Buddha as a young
man questioned who he was and who he wanted, to become. He rebelled
against his parents, rejecting the identity they tried to force
upon him, and went off in search of himself and the truth. Then the
author explores the difficulties of teen life today by relating the
concerns raised with him by real teenagers. Using the teen's own
words and stories, he shows how their issues echo those faced by
Buddha in the opening section. Next, Buddha in Your Backpack
describes typical troubles and dilemmas of teen life, applying
Buddhist wisdom. Paying special attention to those things that
matter, to teens--school, image, identity, sex, friends--the book
shows how adopting a Buddhist perspective and applying Buddha's
wisdom is easy and can help teenagers be happier and more positive.
The next section delves deeper into Buddha's specific teachings, It
explains concepts like mindfulness and the importance of wisdom ane
compassion. It offers some Buddhist practices that can tried in
private and some strategies to employ in public. "Keeping it real,"
as they say, the next part of the book shows that Buddhism is not
an escape from reality. It is an escape to reality and realty isn't
always easy It talks about facing problems, both within oneself and
with others. Again using the words of teens the author has
interviewed, in includes advice and tips from teens already
practicing Buddhism. Finally, the book tells how to go further
along a Buddhist path, it reviews resources for learning more about
Buddhism, including books, magazines and websites, and describes
ways to meet other Buddhists and places to get in-person Buddhist
guidance.
|
|