Entering The Stream

This book is a study on the nature and effects of the Theravāda Buddhist religious experiences of the four supramundane fruits of the Noble Eightfold Path - the experience of the fruit which is stream-entry, once returning, non-returning and Arahanthship - with special focus on the experience of stream-entry. It represents the first time within Theravāda Buddhist studies that a serious textual study has been combined with a substantial field research. Despite disciplinary rules which virtually prohibit a monk with higher ordination from discussing their personal religious experiences, this book presents seven comprehensive anonymous interviews conducted mainly with forest monks on their meditative experiences. The study presents a definition for the 'supramundane fruit' of the path and an alternate framework to discuss and evaluate Theravāda Buddhist religious experiences. It then uses this framework to address some longstanding debates around the Theravāda path and its fruits thus bringing experience back to the centre stage of these debates.

Thirty-three original and accessible translations and commentaries drawn from the key writings of Buddhism, with the aim of teaching the Buddhist tradition to Westerners.

Part One Ethics Can We Kill Illusory People? Some Philosophical Reflections on Bodhi[sattva]caryāvatāra 9:11-13ab Paul Williams The Consequences of Consequentialism: Reflections on Recent Developmentts in the Study of Buddhist Ethics Martin T. Adam Toward a Mahāyāna Phenomenology: Heidegger and Levinas Wing-cheuk Chan -- Part Two Text Criticism Ngag-dbang tshe-ring: An Eighteenth-century Yogi from Zanskar Eva K. Neumaier Lü Cheng's Chinese Translation of the Tibetan Version of Dignāga's Ālambana-parīkṣā-vṛtti: An English Translation Dan Lusthaus Mahāmudrā Chöd? Rangjung Dorjé's Commentary on The Great Speech Chapter of Machik Labdrön Michelle J. Sorensen A Note on Manorathanandin's Pramāṇavārttikavṛtti in Tibet Leonard W.J. van der Kuijp Pseudo-Nāgārjuna's Sermon about Giving (Dānaparikathā) Michael Hahn and Naoki Saito Early Yogācāra and Visualization (Bhāvanā) Charles Willemen -- Part Three History Cooking the Buddhist Books: Implications of the New Dating of the Buddha for the History of Early Indian Buddhism Charles S. Prebish Peaceful and Wrathful Manifestations: The Development of Sarasvatī from India to East Asia to Tibet Sarah F. Haynes The Bodhisattva Doctrine in Sinhala Theravāda Buddhist Traditions of Sri Lanka John Clifford Holt -- Part Four Praxis Beneath the Waves: Conceiving the Unconscious Richard K. Payne The "Round" Doctrine of Tiantai and its Significance for Modern Times Fa Qing Meditation Revisited Andreas Doctor and Tom J.F. Tillemans.

I would like to begin by discussing the meaning of the title, “Entering the Stream of Dhamma,” so that we understand it in the same way. All followers of the Dhamma want to enter the stream of Dhamma, but we may be talking about different things. In fact, there is only one true meaning. My explanation is for you to consider, review and contemplate with wisdom before you decide whether or not it is right. The Noble Ones, from the sotapanna stage on, are those who have entered the stream of Dhamma. Although sotapannas, those reaching the first of the four levels of Noble Ones, have not yet been completely purified, they are enlightened enough to see clearly the right path to Nibbana, the Final Goal or the complete eradication of suffering. In other words, they have undoubtedly entered the stream leading to Nibbana with no turning back, and know this for themselves the first moment they step into this path. At that point they become Stream Enterers, and are regarded as nitaya-puggala, people who are advancing toward Nibbana and will never return to the stage of ordinary people. Even though they may be reborn in this world, they will experience no more than seven lives before attaining Nibbana. The Lord Buddha taught clearly and reasonably how to enter the stream of Dhamma. In his time, his followers practiced in accordance with the Noble Eightfold Path and attained the Noble Fruitions. If we want to reach the same goal, we must strictly follow the Lord Buddha’s teachings, and we will enter the stream of Dhamma just like the people in his time. What the Noble Fruitions were like in the past is still the same now and will continue to be so forever. Phra Acariya Thoon Khippapanno

The Mind Illuminated is a comprehensive, accessible and - above all - effective book on meditation, providing a nuts-and-bolts stage-based system that helps all levels of meditators establish and deepen their practice. Providing step-by-step guidance for every stage of the meditation path, this uniquely comprehensive guide for a Western audience combines the wisdom from the teachings of the Buddha with the latest research in cognitive psychology and neuroscience. Clear and friendly, this in-depth practice manual builds on the nine-stage model of meditation originally articulated by the ancient Indian sage Asanga, crystallizing the entire meditative journey into 10 clearly-defined stages. The book also introduces a new and fascinating model of how the mind works, and uses illustrations and charts to help the reader work through each stage. This manual is an essential read for the beginner to the seasoned veteran of meditation.

The notion and phrase of "entering the stream" has long been an image for merger and union. Most often it is meant to sum up the idea of union with the Divine Principle or God. Less often, yet still common, it is used to image the union of ideas, bodies, and movements. The sense that one thing folds into or flows into another and gets lost is still a major underpinning toward the belief that there is some "ah ha" moment in life where we are able to drift out of simple, commonplace existence and enter the field of ALL knowing. We believe that there can be and is a moment of merger (a born-again instant), an awakening to something outside of what it means to be singularly dual. It is not by chance that the two sacramental rites within Christianity that have the deepest roots in the gathered community over time--reaching down into the loam of our existence--are Baptism and Eucharist. The first--the initiation rite--is about dissolving into God and His mercy and forgiveness. We enter into Him and the fullness of His Kingdom. We are overwhelmed by the waters and emerge a new creature. The second--the continuation rite--is about God dissolving into us. He enters us bringing the fullness of His Kingdom. We ingest God (depending upon your theology) in either image or fact and we emerge a new creature. The poems that follow are about this "axis of consumption," this "axis of dissolving" in our lives. We are swallowed up by God. We swallow up God.

A Guide to Meditation and Mindfulness for the Modern Day In our never-ending search for happiness we often find ourselves looking to external things for fulfillment, thinking that happiness can be unlocked by buying a bigger house, getting the next promotion, or building a perfect family. In this profound and inspiring book, Gelong Thubten shares a practical and sustainable approach to happiness. Thubten, a Buddhist monk and meditation expert who has worked with everyone from school kids to Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and Benedict Cumberbatch, explains how meditation and mindfulness can create a direct path to happiness. A Monk’s Guide to Happiness explores the nature of happiness and helps bust the myth that our lives and minds are too busy for meditation. The book can show you how to: - Learn practical methods to help you choose happiness - Develop greater compassion for yourself and others - Learn to meditate in micro-moments during a busy day - Discover that you are naturally ‘hard-wired’ for happiness Reading A Monk’s Guide to Happiness could revolutionize your relationship with your thoughts and emotions, and help you create a life of true happiness and contentment.