Teachers Of Enlightenment

The Refuge Tree is a symbol of the highest ideals of Buddhism, a traditional image in the Tibetan tradition that takes different forms in different schools. On the refuge tree are formal teachers from Buddhism's history. The Refuge Tree of the Triratna Buddhist Order founded by Sangharakshita includes figures from India, Tibet, China and Japan as well as archetypal Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and the teachers whose guidance helped to shape Sangharakshita's understanding of Buddhism.

Surveys "the rise of Western (mostly American) teachers who fill the role of guru or master ... [and] explains who the masters are, who influenced them, what they teach, what their personalities and personal lives are like, and the strange adventures that many of them have experienced."--Back cover.

A handbook for the Refuge Tree of the Triratna Buddhist Order. Kulananda explains the significance and iconography of the historical buddhas, bodhisattvas and human practitioners visualised in the Going for Refuge and Prostration Practice. This new edition includes Dr Ambedkar and Anagarika Dharmapala, with additional text from Vajratara and updated images from Āloka.

n 1991, Berthold Madhukar Thompson was declared enlightened by a renowned Indian teacher. Yet Madhukar's search for truth was not over; he himself was not convinced that he had achieved the summit of enlightenment. The Odyssey of Enlightenment chronicles the burning quest of a man already acknowledged to be enlightened, as he searches for--and ruthlessly questions--a total of 12 other teachers others who are widely recognized as enlightened. Spurred on by an unquenchable yearning for truth, Thompson's odyssey takes him to remote parts of India where he engages in dialogues of a quality and depth rarely found in the annals of religion. A chronicle of the author’s burning quest for truth, as he tirelessly questions a total of 12 spiritual teachers, including Osho, U.G. Krishnamurthi, Ramesh S. Balsekar, Papaji, Gangolli, Kiran and Andrew Cohen, amongst others. Contemplative dialogue of an unparalleled quality and depth.

A unique manual of spiritual insight and revelation which takes the reader beyond accepted boundaries of non-duality and enlightenment. Book of Enlightenment is a revolutionary compendium of spiritual knowledge addressed to those commencing their inner journey, as well as those who have already reached higher levels of spiritual realization. The purpose of this book is to reveal the multidimensional evolution of human potential. It is a book of spiritual guidance directed to uncompromising seekers of truth. Anadi presents a living teaching which continues to evolve, with a wealth of material available that expands further on the foundations laid here.

In The Seven Stages of an Enlightened Teacher, Dr. Christine Jax presents a path to great teaching that shows how and why teaching is 'a calling' in the true sense of the words. The book is grounded in the theory that the education of another person is a spiritual endeavor that improves as the inner life of the teacher improves. While avoiding the perils of dogma, doctrine, and politics, Jax has found a way for teachers to understand the role of God and spirituality in the classroom. She does this by focusing on the teacher's strengths and commitment rather than on the student or the subject matter content. Through inspirational stories, concrete instructional strategies, and spiritual practices, this book helps teachers go through stages of enlightenment in order to become energized, fulfilled, and successful at increasing student growth and learning. The Seven Stages of an Enlightened Teacher demonstrates how the individual teacher's gifts and beliefs are the primary elements of great teaching.

Jane Austen wrote six books that were published at the beginning of the 19th century, all with happy endings. Yet below the courtship novels' sparkling wit and dance scenes flows an undercurrent of suffering. Austen had a deep understanding of the sources and cure for suffering that shares much in common with Buddhism. Though not intentionally writing through the lens of Buddhism, Austen intuitively understood the Buddha's most fundamental teaching of the Four Noble Truths: that life contains suffering, that we can discover the causes of suffering, and that we can stop suffering by following the Eightfold Path described by the Buddha. In this book, Austen fans or those who wish for a deeper understanding of how stories can alleviate suffering will discover a combination of psychology and Buddhism alongside accessible close readings of Austen. This unique approach offers insight into Austen's enduring popularity and lessons we might apply to our own lives to find happiness--just like Austen's heroines.

Navigate the transformative potential of the student-teacher relationship with advice and personal stories from two female Buddhist teachers with decades of experience working with spiritual guides. Taking a spiritual path that genuinely transforms our lives is no easy task. It engages the deepest parts of ourselves, and there are many pitfalls and ravines that can carry us away on this sometimes treacherous path. A spiritual guide who is genuine and experienced is vital for navigating such obstacles--someone to give perspective, someone to trust, someone to light the way. The teacher-student relationship has been a core part of Buddhism from the time of the Buddha and his first disciples over 2,500 years ago, and it continues to be central to navigating a spiritual path of meditation and reflection. In this intimate collection of personal stories and advice, Allison Choying Zangmo and Carolyn Kanjuro team up to reflect on their experiences as longtime practitioners of Buddhism, their own unique relationships with their partners who are also their spiritual guides, and to celebrate and uphold the transformative power of the student-teacher relationship. As both students and leaders in their Buddhist communities, Allison and Carolyn share insights into how we can successfully interpret traditional Buddhist understandings of spiritual mentorship for today’s world. From guidance on how to find a teacher to how to face issues of miscommunication and confrontation, Kanjuro and Zangmo help readers consider their own goals and emotional boundaries as a starting point for building a positive new spiritual connection.