Comment Buddhist Perspective (Score 1) 796
The Dhammapada - by Eknath Easwaran
It can be read and appreciated simply as wise philosophy. Dhammapada means "the path of dharma": the path of truth, harmony, and righteousness. Eknath Easwaran's translation of this essential Buddhist text, based on the oldest version, consists of 423 short verses gathered by the Buddha's direct disciples after his death and organized by theme: anger, thought, joy, pleasure, and others.
--- Better than a thousand pointless words is one word which brings inner peace.
--- Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Suffering follows an evil thought as the wheels of a cart follow the oxen that draw it. Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Joy follows a pure thought like a shadow that never leaves.
--- One's own misdirected thought can do one more harm than an enemy.
An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices - by Peter Harvey
I have often felt that my perspective of the east is greatly advised in knowing the history and philosophy of Buddhism. This book is a no-nonsense explanation from a scholar. Its a comprehensive introduction to Buddhist tradition as it has developed in three major cultural areas in Asia, and to Buddhism as it is now developing in the West. It is intended to be a textbook for students of religious and Asian studies, but it will also be of interest to those who want a general survey of Buddhism and its beliefs. Unlike many other general books about Buddhism, it not only explores the world views of the religion but also attempts to show how Buddhism functions as a set of practices. It thus includes chapters on devotion, ethics, monastic practices and meditation. Such practices are related to Buddhist teachings and historical developments. Emphasizing as it does the diversity found within different Buddhist traditions, the book aims throughout to underline common threads of belief, practice and historical continuities which unify the Buddhist world. Dr. Harvey answers questions that are often asked by people on first meeting the tradition, and in his section on Nirvana offers a novel interpretation of this ultimate, transcendent mystery.
The Book on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are - by Alan Watts
Alan Watts explores the question of who we really are. He claims that man seems to live in an illusion of being a separate ego 'housed in a bag of skin'. He discusses the many ways this mistaken identity leads to destructive behavior in relationships, both between people, nations and in relation to the natural environment. He uses examples familiar to most educated Westerners. He sets out to offer an alternative perspective, mixing Western science with ancient Eastern philosophies. For this purpose he wants to draw on insights from Vedanta philosophy.
--- "The social doublebind game can be phrased in several ways:The first rule of this game is that it is not a game. Everyone must play. You must love us. You must go on living. Be yourself, but play a consistent and acceptable role. Control yourself and be natural. Try to be sincere. Essentially, this game is a demand for spontaneous behavior of certain kinds. Living, loving, being natural or sincere—all these are spontaneous forms of behavior: they happen "of themselves" like digesting food or growing hair. As soon as they are forced they acquire that unnatural, contrived, and phony atmosphere which everyone deplores—weak and scentless like forced flowers and tasteless like forced fruit. Life and love generate effort, but effort will not generate them. Faith—in life, in other people, and in oneself—is the attitude of allowing the spontaneous to be spontaneous, in its own way and in its own time."
--- "Other people teach us who we are. Their attitudes to us are the mirror in which we learn to see ourselves, but the mirror is distorted. We are, perhaps, rather dimly aware of the immense power of our social environment."
--- "Just as true humor is laughter at oneself, true humanity is knowledge of oneself."
Tao Te Ching - by Lao Tsu
The passages are ambiguous, and topics range from political advice for rulers to practical wisdom for people. Because the variety of interpretation is virtually limitless, not only for different people but for the same person over time, readers do well to avoid making claims of objectivity or superiority. Also, since the book is 81 short poems, there is little need for an abridgement.
--- If you overesteem great men, people become powerless. If you overvalue possessions, people begin to steal.
--- Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench. Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner. Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity.
Dune - by Frank Herbert
This fictional book has a vast and tight knit philosophy that really spoke deeply to me about living meaningfully. Set in the far future amidst a sprawling feudal interstellar empire where planetary dynasties are controlled by noble houses that owe an allegiance to the imperial House Corrino, Dune tells the story of young Paul Atreides (the heir apparent to Duke Leto Atreides and heir of House Atreides) as he and his family accept control of the desert planet Arrakis, the only source of the "spice" melange, the most important and valuable substance in the universe. The story explores the complex and multi-layered interactions of politics, religion, ecology, technology, and human emotion, as the forces of the empire confront each other for control of Arrakis and its "spice".
--- “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
--- “Deep in the human unconscious is a pervasive need for a logical universe that makes sense. But the real universe is always one step beyond logic.”
--- “The mystery of life isn't a problem to solve, but a reality to experience.”
--- “What do you despise? By this are you truly known.”
--- “It is so shocking to find out how many people do not believe that they can learn, and how many more believe learning to be difficult.”
It can be read and appreciated simply as wise philosophy. Dhammapada means "the path of dharma": the path of truth, harmony, and righteousness. Eknath Easwaran's translation of this essential Buddhist text, based on the oldest version, consists of 423 short verses gathered by the Buddha's direct disciples after his death and organized by theme: anger, thought, joy, pleasure, and others.
--- Better than a thousand pointless words is one word which brings inner peace.
--- Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Suffering follows an evil thought as the wheels of a cart follow the oxen that draw it. Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Joy follows a pure thought like a shadow that never leaves.
--- One's own misdirected thought can do one more harm than an enemy.
An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices - by Peter Harvey
I have often felt that my perspective of the east is greatly advised in knowing the history and philosophy of Buddhism. This book is a no-nonsense explanation from a scholar. Its a comprehensive introduction to Buddhist tradition as it has developed in three major cultural areas in Asia, and to Buddhism as it is now developing in the West. It is intended to be a textbook for students of religious and Asian studies, but it will also be of interest to those who want a general survey of Buddhism and its beliefs. Unlike many other general books about Buddhism, it not only explores the world views of the religion but also attempts to show how Buddhism functions as a set of practices. It thus includes chapters on devotion, ethics, monastic practices and meditation. Such practices are related to Buddhist teachings and historical developments. Emphasizing as it does the diversity found within different Buddhist traditions, the book aims throughout to underline common threads of belief, practice and historical continuities which unify the Buddhist world. Dr. Harvey answers questions that are often asked by people on first meeting the tradition, and in his section on Nirvana offers a novel interpretation of this ultimate, transcendent mystery.
The Book on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are - by Alan Watts
Alan Watts explores the question of who we really are. He claims that man seems to live in an illusion of being a separate ego 'housed in a bag of skin'. He discusses the many ways this mistaken identity leads to destructive behavior in relationships, both between people, nations and in relation to the natural environment. He uses examples familiar to most educated Westerners. He sets out to offer an alternative perspective, mixing Western science with ancient Eastern philosophies. For this purpose he wants to draw on insights from Vedanta philosophy.
--- "The social doublebind game can be phrased in several ways:The first rule of this game is that it is not a game. Everyone must play. You must love us. You must go on living. Be yourself, but play a consistent and acceptable role. Control yourself and be natural. Try to be sincere. Essentially, this game is a demand for spontaneous behavior of certain kinds. Living, loving, being natural or sincere—all these are spontaneous forms of behavior: they happen "of themselves" like digesting food or growing hair. As soon as they are forced they acquire that unnatural, contrived, and phony atmosphere which everyone deplores—weak and scentless like forced flowers and tasteless like forced fruit. Life and love generate effort, but effort will not generate them. Faith—in life, in other people, and in oneself—is the attitude of allowing the spontaneous to be spontaneous, in its own way and in its own time."
--- "Other people teach us who we are. Their attitudes to us are the mirror in which we learn to see ourselves, but the mirror is distorted. We are, perhaps, rather dimly aware of the immense power of our social environment."
--- "Just as true humor is laughter at oneself, true humanity is knowledge of oneself."
Tao Te Ching - by Lao Tsu
The passages are ambiguous, and topics range from political advice for rulers to practical wisdom for people. Because the variety of interpretation is virtually limitless, not only for different people but for the same person over time, readers do well to avoid making claims of objectivity or superiority. Also, since the book is 81 short poems, there is little need for an abridgement.
--- If you overesteem great men, people become powerless. If you overvalue possessions, people begin to steal.
--- Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench. Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner. Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity.
Dune - by Frank Herbert
This fictional book has a vast and tight knit philosophy that really spoke deeply to me about living meaningfully. Set in the far future amidst a sprawling feudal interstellar empire where planetary dynasties are controlled by noble houses that owe an allegiance to the imperial House Corrino, Dune tells the story of young Paul Atreides (the heir apparent to Duke Leto Atreides and heir of House Atreides) as he and his family accept control of the desert planet Arrakis, the only source of the "spice" melange, the most important and valuable substance in the universe. The story explores the complex and multi-layered interactions of politics, religion, ecology, technology, and human emotion, as the forces of the empire confront each other for control of Arrakis and its "spice".
--- “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
--- “Deep in the human unconscious is a pervasive need for a logical universe that makes sense. But the real universe is always one step beyond logic.”
--- “The mystery of life isn't a problem to solve, but a reality to experience.”
--- “What do you despise? By this are you truly known.”
--- “It is so shocking to find out how many people do not believe that they can learn, and how many more believe learning to be difficult.”
