This book examines how Western behavioral science--which has generally focused on negative aspects of human nature--holds up to cross-cultural scrutiny, in particular the Tibetan Buddhist celebration of the human potential for altruism, empathy, and compassion. Resulting from a meeting between the Dalai Lama, leading Western scholars, and a group of Tibetan monks, this volume includes excerpts from these extraordinary dialogues as well as engaging essays exploring points of difference and overlap between the two perspectives.

In Search of the Way is a history of intellectual and religious developments in Japan during the Tokugawa period, covering the years 1582-1860. It begins with an explanation of the fate of Christianity, and proceeds to cover the changing nature of the relationship between Buddhism and secular authority, new developments in Shinto, and the growth of 'Japanese studies'. The main emphasis, however, is on the process by which Neo-Confucianism captured the imagination of the intellectual class and informed debate throughout the period. This process was expressed in terms of a never-ending search for the Way, a mode and pattern of existence that could provide not only order for society at large, but self-fulfilment for the individual. The narrative traces how ideas and attitudes changed through time, and is based on the premise that the Tokugawa period is important in and of itself, not merely as a backdrop to the Meiji Restoration of 1868.

With extensive research and creative interpretations, Dasan's Noneo gogeum ju (Old and New Commentaries of the Analects) has been evaluated in the academia of Korean Studies as a crystallization of his studies on the Confucian classics. Dasan (Jeong Yak-yong: 1762-1836) attempted through this book to synthesize and overcome the lengthy scholarly tradition of the classical studies of the Analects, leading it not only to represent one of the greatest achievements of Korean Confucianism but also demonstrate an innovative prospect for the progress of Confucian philosophy, positioning it as one of the ground-breaking works in all Confucian legacies in East Asia. Originally consisting of forty volumes in traditional book binding, his Noneo gogeum ju contains one hundred and seventy-five new interpretations on the Analects, hundreds of arguments about the original meanings of the Analects commentaries, hundreds of references to the scholarly works of the Analects, thousands of supportive quotations from various East Asian classics for the author's arguments, and hundreds of philological discussions. This book is the second volume of an English translation of Noneo gogeum ju with the translator's comments on the innovative ideas and interpretations of Dasan on the Analects.

Falun Gong, founded by Li Hongzhi in 1992, claims to have 100 million disciples. It continues to draw attention from people throughout the world.

Lao Cheng-Wu studied Buddhism in Hong Kong for a number of years, and he had the opportunity to be a disciple of Master Nan Huaijin. In this academic work, he participates in the Buddhist tradition of refutation, taking a critical view of Falun Gong, its beliefs, and its practices.

This study traces the history of Falun Gong, with an emphasis on Taiwan, and considers how it has transformed into a political organization, spreading worldwide. It examines why it continues to attract followers and explores facts about Li Hongzhi, who tried to establish a new religion, claiming that he is superior to Sakamuni, Jesus, and Laozi. It also provides ways in which the Falun Gong created conditions for organizational success and analyses regarding the myths promoted by Falun Gong.

By relying on Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism of the Orient, and on Western philosophy and Christ's teachings, it is possible to refute Li Hongzhi's scriptures. The simple, straightforward language in The Refutation and Analysis of Falun Gong provides keen insights into a misunderstood religion.

Followers of the New Thought movement of the early 20th century vehemently believed in the concept of "mind over matter.,." and this 1903 book may well have been their guide to achieving it. One of the most influential thinkers of this early "New Age" philosophy here demonstrates how to achieve the ultimate indulgence of the "pure spirit" that defines us all. Yogi Ramacharaka explains how to shed the "sheaths that prevent its full expression" via: . the astral plane . the instinctive mind . the spiritual mind . the human aura . thought dynamics . clairvoyance and telepathy . personal magnetism . occult therapeutics . spiritual cause and effect . and more. American writer WILLIAM WALKER ATKINSON (1862-1932) was editor of the popular magazine New Thought from 1901 to 1905, and editor of the journal Advanced Thought from 1916 to 1919. He authored dozens of New Thought books under numerous pseudonyms, some of which are likely still unknown today, including "Yogi Ramacharaka" and "Theron Q. Dumont."

In Zhu Guangqian and Benedetto Croce on Aesthetic Thought, Mario Sabattini analyses Croce's influence on the aesthetic thought of Zhu Guangqian. Zhu Guangqian is one of the most representative figures of contemporary Chinese aesthetics. Since the '30s, he had an active role in China both on the literary and philosophical scenes, and, through his writings, he exerted an important influence in the moulding of numerous generations of intellectuals. Some of his works have been widely read, and they still provoke considerable interest in China, on the mainland as well as in Taiwan and Hong Kong. The volume also presents a revised translation of Zhu Guangqian's Wenyi xinlixue (Psychology of Art and Literature).

Human society has experienced the primitive, slavery, feudalistic, and capitalist stages and has witnessed two world wars and numerous regional wars. Humankind currently faces various severe ecological and sociological problems. In "On the Culture of Harmony, " author Gordon Wang answers the serious and significant question of where human beings are headed in terms of both time and space.

Wang traveled across five continents and through dozens of countries searching for answers; now, he shares his results in "On the Culture of Harmony." He discusses the origin, concept, and domains of the Culture of Harmony based on an in-depth analysis of the Chinese and world culture and philosophy. He demonstrates how the globalization of economy and information calls for the dominance of the Culture of Harmony, which should be used to correct human bias, establish core values, lead human spirits, and expedite borderless unions.

Through a unique perspective of the physical and social sciences, Wang communicates the need to promote a harmonious society through the Culture of Harmony.

Introducing the topics, themes and arguments of the most influential Hindu and Buddhist Indian philosophers, An Introduction to Indian Philosophy leads the reader through the main schools of Indian thought from the origins of Buddhism to the Saiva Philosophies of Kashmir. By covering Buddhist philosophies before the Brahmanical schools, this engaging introduction shows how philosophers from the Brahmanical schools-including Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, and Mimamsa, as well as Vedanta-were to some extent responding to Buddhist viewpoints. Together with clear translations of primary texts, this fully-updated edition features: * A glossary of Sanskrit terms * A guide to pronunciation * Chronological list of philosophers & works With study tools and constant reference to original texts, An Introduction to Indian Philosophy provides students with deeper understanding of the foundations of Indian philosophy.

The focus of Zen, its main purpose is to take us back to that long forgotten state of mind where the present moment becomes the primary one again, and everything else secondary, if of any importance at all. This shift of consciousness is nothing more than returning to our natural way of perceiving the world around us, the way we used to when we were little children. Back then we had very short past, hence not much of a conceivable future either, this way being able to live our lives with a certain sense of presentness, something we have managed to forget somewhere along the way.

Comparative Philosophy without Borders presents original scholarship by leading contemporary comparative philosophers, each addressing a philosophical issue that transcends the concerns of any one cultural tradition. By critically discussing and weaving together these contributions in terms of their philosophical presuppositions, this cutting-edge volume initiates a more sophisticated, albeit diverse, understanding of doing comparative philosophy. Within a broad conception of the alternative shapes that work in philosophy may take, this volume breaks three kinds of boundaries: between cultures, historical periods and sub-disciplines of philosophy such as metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, aesthetics, and political philosophy. As well as distinguishing three phases of the development of comparative philosophy up to the present day, the editors argue why the discipline now needs to enter a new phase. Putting to use philosophical thought and textual sources from Eurasia and Africa, contributors discuss modern psychological and cognitive science approaches to the nature of mind and topics as different as perception, poetry, justice, authority, and the very possibility of understanding other people. Comparative Philosophy without Borders demonstrates how drawing on philosophical resources from across cultural traditions can produce sound state-of-the-art progressive philosophy. Fusing the horizons of traditions opens up a space for creative conceptual thinking outside all sorts of boxes.

First published in 2000. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Contrasting with conventional Neo-Confucian attempts to recast the Confucian heritage in light of modern Western values, this book offers a Reconstructionist Confucian project to reclaim Confucian resources to meet contemporary moral and public policy challenges. Ruiping Fan argues that popular accounts of human goods and social justice within the dominant individualist culture of the West are too insubstantial to direct a life of virtue and a proper structure of society. Instead, he demonstrates that the moral insights of Confucian thought are precisely those needed to fill the moral vacuum developing in post-communist China and to address similar problems in the West. The book has a depth of reflection on the Confucian tradition through a comparative philosophical strategy and a breadth of contemporary issues addressed unrivaled by any other work on these topics. It is the first in English to explore not only the endeavor to revive Confucianism in contemporary China, but also brings such an endeavor to bear upon the important ethical, social, and political difficulties being faced in 21st century China. The book should be of interest to any philosopher working in application of traditional Chinese philosophy to contemporary issues as well as any reader interested in comparative cultural and ethical studies.