Refuge In The Three Jewels Ebook

Compiled on the advice of Lama Zopa Rinpoche this ebook includes the practice of taking refuge, the commitments of taking refuge, the vows themselves, and explanations of how to receive a downfall as well as the benefits of protecting these precious vows. 16 pages, 2009 edition.

Learn about the bodhisattva ideal—the capacity to see the potential for awakening in everyone and aspire to help them along their path—with new commentaries on early Mahayana sutras from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, the monk Time magazine calls "the father of mindfulness." Based on a three-month retreat given by Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh in the winter of 1991, this book gives an historical account of the emergence of the bodhisattva ideal during the first century CE, together with Thich Nhat Hanh's previously unpublished commentaries on two early Mahayana sutras—the Ugraparipṛccha Sutra (The Questions of the Householder Ugra) and the Vimalakīrti-nirdeśa Sutra (The Instructions of Vimalakīrti). About 150 years after the death of the historical Buddha, Buddhism had begun to develop into many separate schools, in which many monks came to prioritize their own personal liberation in their teaching and practice, while making Buddhism into a series of doctrines that served their own school. They came to live in a way that was cut off from other schools and from laypeople and saw laypeople as there primarily to make offerings and support the monks, not as practitioners who could also benefit fully from the Buddha’s teachings. Consequently, around the first century CE, there arose among lay and monastic practitioners the desire to popularize Buddhism and bring it out of the ivory tower and back in touch with life in the world, as it had been in the time of the Buddha. From this movement sprang the Mahayana path, which aimed to provide the deepest wellsprings of Buddhist thought to all people, regardless of their social background. Central to the Mahayana teachings is the idea of bodhicitta (the mind of love), which was personified in the bodhisattva, who sees the potential for enlightenment in everyone and vows to help them on their path to awakening. Soon Mahayana sutras began to appear, encouraging practitioners to develop the qualities of a bodhisattva in themselves. The Ugraparipṛccha Sutra counsels students on the bodhisattva path, giving practical instructions on how to help others suffer less. The Vimalakīrti-nirdeśa Sutra focuses on bringing the deepest teachings of Buddhism to ordinary people, with teachings on the ultimate dimension and Buddhist ethics. With his insightful commentary on these two important sutras, Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh continues the inclusive spirit of the early Mahayana practitioners.

This ebook combines well-chosen essential teachings by the Tibetan masters Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche supplemented with teachings by American nun, Ven. Amy Miller, to provide a wonderful overview of many of the key points of the path to enlightenment (lamrim). This title covers the following topics: - What is Buddhism? - Who was the Buddha? - What is Dharma? - What is Buddhist Refuge? - The Fundamentals of Karma - What are the Four Noble Truths? - What is Meditation? - Understanding the Mind - Understanding the Teachings - The Importance of a Qualified Teacher - What is the Purpose of Life? - Death and Impermanence - What is Renunciation? - How to Serve Others - What is Emptiness? - Introducing Tantra - Advice for Bringing These Teachings into Your Daily Life - How to Dedicate Your Virtue Each of these sections in this title concludes with a meditation on the subject. Included with this eBook is complimentary access to the online version of Buddhism in a Nutshell, which is available on the FPMT Online Learning Center. This FPMT introductory course consists of 11 hours of clear and accessible teachings and guided meditations by Ven. Amy Miller. These teachings are intended for people encountering Buddhism for the first time, as well as for people who are already familiar with Buddha’s teachings but would like a more structured approach to understanding the whole path to enlightenment. They cover the life of Shakyamuni Buddha,the four noble truths, and the stages of the path to enlightenment (lamrim) based on an explanation of the short poem Foundation of All Good Qualities by Lama Tsongkhapa. In addition, the online course includes transcripts of Ven. Amy Miller’s teachings and meditations together with other online resources, such as points for reflection to help course participants think about the teachings in relation to their own lives. A discussion forum allows course participants to interact with each other and the course elder. A Certificate of Achievement is available to participants who complete all the course requirements. Together the book and the online course provide a comprehensive overview of Buddhism as taught and practiced in the Tibetan Mahayana tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa (Gelug). The teachings by Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche are a must-read for all of their disciples. 243 pages, 2010 edition.

In our busy modern lives, we may not give much thought to death. We fear that thinking about death will take the joy out of living. But in reality, when we actively think about death and prepare for it, we find peace, fulfillment, and happiness in our current lives and our fear of death disappears. Over the course of many years, Lama Zopa Rinpoche has given profound and accessible teachings on death and dying. Heart Advice for Death and Dying contains Rinpoche’s essential advice for preparing for the time of death and leading a fulfilling life. It includes: - An introduction by Kathleen McDonald (Ven. Sangye Khadro) to Buddhist ideas about life, death, and what happens after death - Teachings by Lama Zopa Rinpoche on: The fragility and impermanent nature of life By not contemplating death we will be swayed by the attachment clinging to the happiness of this life By contemplating death we will be inspired to begin, continue, and complete our Dharma practice The nine-point meditation on death based on reflecting on how death is definite, how the time of death is indefinite, and how at the time of death only our Dharma practice will be of help to us The dying process—what actually happens to us as we are dying Preparing for death by practicing the five powers Meditation on tonglen—in order to develop bodhichitta we visualize taking suffering upon our selfishness out of on compassion and giving our happiness away out of love How to help and care for the dying and the dead Practices to do before, during, and after someone’s death The benefits of Medicine Buddha practice - The Medicine Buddha Sadhana - Mantras to benefit the dying and dead - Helpful Resources - Glossary Included with this eBook is complimentary access to the online version of Heart Advice for Death and Dying, which is available on the FPMT Online Learning Center. This FPMT introductory course consists of 11 hours of teachings and guided meditations by Ven. Sangye Khadro, a senior American teacher of Tibetan Buddhism well known for her gentle yet profound teaching style. It is presented as a series of five sessions. Each session consists of teachings by Ven. Sangye Khadro (available in both MP3 and written formats) supplemented by two guided meditations on related topics and two mindfulness practices. Each session concludes with some points for reflection intended to encourage a personal reflection and analysis of the topics taught. Additional supplementary materials are provided to help prepare for one’s own and others' death. 173 pages, 2008 edition.

Doing Vajrasattva retreat is not simply about reciting the mantra and saying some prayers; it is about making the practice effective for your mind, making it the quickest, most powerful way to transform your mind. Experienced meditators have advised that, in general, it is more important to put your everyday life's effort into the practice of purification - this is the way to attain spiritual realization. This eBook contains the short and long practice of Vajrasattva as well as Vajrasattva tsog. It also contains commentary, retreat advice, altar set-up, and retreat preliminaries by Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Contents Include: - Heruka Vajrasattva Retreat Sadhana Torma Offering - Abbreviated Heruka Vajrasattva Sadhana - A Short Vajrasattva Meditation - Heruka Vajrasattva Tsog - Dedication Prayers and Long Life Prayers - Multiplying Mantras - Rituals for Commencing the Retreat - A Simple Vajrasattva Practice (without Consort) - Explanation of the Meaning of the Mantra - Breathing Exercise - How to Purify During Mantra Recitation - Burning Offering to Dorje Khadro - Benefits of Purification with Heruka Vajrasattva - Motivations for Practicing Vajrasattva - Introduction to the Heruka-Vajrasattva Tsog - The Meaning of Tsog - Guidelines for Completing 100,000 Vajrasattva Mantras - Vajrasattva Retreat Procedures 171 Pages. 2010 Edition.

The Essential Buddhist Prayers series contains all the basic prayers and practices necessary for daily practice and retreat within the FPMT tradition. Volume 2 includes common FPMT center practices and other prayers: - Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga - Extensive Offering Practice – "Offering Even One Flower to the Buddha" - Liberating Animals from the Danger of Death - The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel (Medicine Buddha Puja) - The Abbreviated Four-Mandala Offering to Chittamani Tara - A Short Vajrasattva Meditation – "Breathing Exercise," "How to Purify During Mantra Recitation," "The Meaning of the Mantra" - A Banquet of the Great Blissful Circle of Offerings, the Heruka Vajrasattva Tsog Offering – "The Meaning of Tsog" - Four-Face Mahakala Puja - A Daily Pälden Lhamo Practice - Protector Prayers and Tea Offering – "Praise of Six-Arm Lord Mahakala," "Praise to Achieve the Inner Kalarupa," "Praise to Vaishravana," "Iron Hook Tea Offering," "Degyä Tea Offering" 344 pages, 2009 edition.

Insight Guides: all you need to inspire every step of your journey. From deciding when to go, to choosing what to see when you arrive, this is all you need to plan your trip and experience the best of Southeast Asia, with in-depth insider information on must-see, top attractions like Angkor Wat, Singapore's markets and the island of Boracay, and hidden cultural gems like the pagodas of Mandalay and Borneo's wild national parks. Insight Guide Southeast Asia is ideal for travellers seeking immersive cultural experiences, from exploring Laos' Plain of Jars and the high-energy capital of Bangkok, to discovering the remote peoples of Papua's highlands and the rich spirituality of Bali. In-depth on history and culture: enjoy special features on the legacy of war in Vietnam and diving in the Philippines, all written by local experts Includes innovative, unique extras to keep you up-to-date when you're on the move - this guide comes with a free eBook, and an app that highlights top attractions and regional information and is regularly updated with new hotel, bar, restaurant, shop and local event listings Invaluable maps, travel tips and practical information ensure effortless planning, and encourage venturing off the beaten track Inspirational colour photography throughout - Insight Guides is a pioneer of full-colour guide books Inventive design makes for an engaging, easy reading experience About Insight Guides: Insight Guides is a pioneer of full-colour guide books, with almost 50 years' experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides with user-friendly, modern design. We produce around 400 full-colour print guide books and maps, as well as phrase books, picture-packed eBooks and apps to meet different travellers' needs. Insight Guides' unique combination of beautiful travel photography and focus on history and culture create a unique visual reference and planning tool to inspire your next adventure.

Insight Guides: all you need to inspire every step of your journey. From deciding when to go, to choosing what to see when you arrive, this is all you need to plan your trip and experience the best of Myanmar, with in-depth insider information on must-see, top attractions like Bagan and Inle Lake, and hidden cultural gems like trekking in Shan State. - Insight Guide Myanmar is ideal for travellers seeking immersive cultural experiences, from exploring Rakhaing State and Ngapali Beach, to discovering the Golden Rock Pagoda in Mon State. - In-depth on history and culture: enjoy special features on The People of Myanmar, Festivals and Temple Architecture, all written by local experts - Includes innovative, unique extras to keep you up-to-date when you're on the move - Invaluable maps, travel tips and practical information ensure effortless planning, and encourage venturing off the beaten track - Inspirational colour photography throughout - Insight Guides is a pioneer of full-colour guide books - Inventive design makes for an engaging, easy reading experience About Insight Guides: Insight Guides is a pioneer of full-colour guide books, with almost 50 years' experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides with user-friendly, modern design. We produce around 400 full-colour print guide books and maps, as well as phrase books, picture-packed eBooks and apps to meet different travellers' needs. Insight Guides' unique combination of beautiful travel photography and focus on history and culture create a unique visual reference and planning tool to inspire your next adventure.