The Essence of Buddhism: An Introduction to Its Philosophy and Practice

Description

One of the clearest introductions to the teachings and philosophies of the three main schools of Buddhism- Theravada, Mahayana, and Tibetan. A clear and concise introduction to the teachings and philosophies of the three main vehicles of Buddhism-Theravada, Mahayana, andVajrayana-through a Tibetan lens This comprehensive guide to the Buddhist path from the Tibetan point of view is as accessible as it is complete.TralegKyabgonbreaks the teachings down conveniently into the three traditional "vehicles," while never letting us forget that the point of all theDharmais nothing other than insight into the mind and heart. Along the way he provides vivid definitions of fundamental Buddhist concepts such as compassion, emptiness, and Buddha-nature and answers common questions such as- .Why does Buddhism teach that there is "no self"? .Are Buddhist teachings pessimistic? .Does Buddhism encourage social passivity? .What is the role of sex in Buddhist tantra? .Why is it said thatsamsara is nirvana? .Does it take countless lifetimes to attain enlightenment, or can it be achieved in a moment?

TRALEG KYABGON (1955-2012) was born in eastern Tibet and educated by many great masters of all four major lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. He is the founder of the Kagyu E-Vam Buddhist Institute, which is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, with a major practice center in New York City. Rinpoche was well known for his erudition and understanding of Western psychology and culture, and comparative religion. He taught extensively at universities and Buddhist centers in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia, and he is the author of Mind at Ease and The Practice of Lojong.

"Although this book is immense in its scope, [Traleg Kyabgon] Rinpoche never allows us to lose sight of the key point and ultimate meaning of all the Buddha's teachings: that it is possible to get to the root of suffering and to bring about lasting happiness for ourselves and others; and that the only way to do this is to work with, understand, tame, and transform our mind."-Sogyal Rinpoche, author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying