The Buddha In Daily Life

Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism encourages the belief that, through its faith and practices, spiritual and material blessings and benefits can be available to everyone in this life. Needs can be met, and success achieved, not merely for oneself but for others (and the world) through dedication to the Lotus Sutra, a central teaching of Buddhism. It combines these personal objectives with the commitment to world peace, ecology and the easing of suffering, especially, AIDS. Attracting such well known followers as Jeff Banks, Sandie Shaw, Tina Turner and Roberto Baggio, Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism is rooted in a Buddhist tradition going back to the teachings of Nichiren in the 13th century, and is part of an international movement based in Japan.

The aim of this book is simple: to invite readers to consider what it means to lead a good life, and to offer practical advice, based on the Buddhist teachings, as to how this can be accomplished. In each of more than thirty brief essays, Master Hsing Yun treats a specific moral or ethical issue, using quotations from the rich treasury of the Buddhist scriptures as a point of departure for his discussion. Among the topics he considers are control of the body and of speech, overcoming greed, ending anger, patience under insult, how to manage wealth, how to get along with others, what it means to practice Buddhism, and the blessings and joys of that practice. The Buddhist precepts are introduced as guideposts along this path of liberation, and friendship, gratitude, and service to others are presented as essential elements of a common quest to discover and to embody our innate goodness and humanity.

This collection of fifteen articles and talks by Tulku Thondup constitutes a manual on how to transmute the situations encountered in daily life, whether external or internal, into spiritual disciplines and experiences. Among the topics covered are: The fundamental principles of Buddhism. The practice of meditation as a means of arousing compassion. How suffering can become a more powerful tool than happiness in achieving enlightenment. The symbolic significance of holy places, temples, statues, books, and other spiritual artifacts.

Buddhist Wisdom for Daily Living examines why 2500-year-old Buddhist beliefs and philosophies have relevance in today's society. For the reader, contemporary Buddhist practice acts as a bridge between the monastery and the larger world. It enables them to find calmness, clarity and insight for dealing with the challenges of everyday life. In doing so, they'll discover the true length and breadth of the Buddhist path. Meditations are offered for each day, along with advice for beginning meditation and correct posture. Readers will also learn how mindful meditation and right living can make them more aware and committed to their individual spiritual paths.Christopher Titmuss teaches insight meditation and spiritual awakening worldwide and has written a number of books on spiritual practice, including Light on Enlightenment, the Power of Meditation and the Buddha's Book of Daily Meditations. After having spent six years as a Buddhist monk in Thailand and India, Christopher now lives in Devon, England, where he serves as a guiding teacher at Gaia House, an international Buddhist retreat center of which he is also co-founder. Christopher is also a founding member of the international board of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship.

Is there more to Buddhism than sitting in silent meditation? Is modern Buddhism relevant to the problems of daily life? Does it empower individuals to transform their lives? Or has Buddhism become too detached, so still and quiet that the Buddha has fallen asleep? Waking the Buddha tells the story of the Soka Gakkai International, the largest, most dynamic Buddhist movement in the world today—and one that is waking up and shaking up Buddhism so it can truly work in ordinary people’s lives. Drawing on his long personal experience as a Buddhist teacher, journalist, and editor, Clark Strand offers broad insight into how and why the Soka Gakkai, with its commitment to social justice and its egalitarian approach, has become a role model, not only for other schools of Buddhism, but for other religions as well. Readers will be inspired by the struggles and triumphs of the Soka Gakkai’s three founding presidents—individuals who staked their lives on the teachings of the Lotus Sutra and the extraordinary power of those teachings to help people become happy.

According to Christopher Titmuss, the beneficial influence of the Buddha falls into three primary areas: non harming, meditation and wisdom. By taking apt quotations from the vast number of talks (over 10,000) which the Buddha gave during his 45 years of teaching, Titmuss offers one thought-provoking excerpt for each day of the year - and so helps illuminate these three important themes. This is a book readers will want to keep for many years, and dip into time and again.