I have always liked stories in the form of pictures and apparently others have too in the past as is evident in the use of these "Mandalas" or "Offerings" that were met to be points of focus, while contemplating life and practice. These Mandalas are not just pictures of a story, but offerings to us. These Mandalas offer a clue as to what we are searching for, especially for those of us, who are on a personal "spiritual" journey. It's not often that someone makes an "offer" to another that does not contain a "catch"; no catch here intended. Only that you get "hooked-up" to the life-ring, thrown to you in this ocean of birth, life and death, that will pull you on to the other shore - the other side of your search and finding your truths and answers. The question is what are you searching for? Many can't answer and many don't even know and move through life wondering what does it all mean? Why does life seem to work or "happen" this way?

I started to ask these questions after a few life "experiences" left me with alot of questions about why things happen? It is not unusual to ask the "powers-that-be", why, if you play the game of life by the rules, why is it that people still suffer? It is taught to us by religions, sects of religions and secular society, that if you are doing what you are supposed to do, then you will avoid suffering. And it is assumed that if you are breaking all the rules, whether moral rules, a god's rules, or society's rules then you will pay the price with having all sorts of suffering coming your way. But when I saw people around me suffering, who were trying to be "good". And I saw children suffering from diseases or other sufferings like abandonment and abuse; don't we as adults assume children are good to begin with? And when I was told in response to my questions of why the rules and promises to the "good" were broken; that it was the mystery of a god's will and the answer will come in the "by-and-by"; this answer did not answer the why of suffering. The by-and-by meaning at my death when the mystery of life would be revealed to me; I felt this was alittle late to solve the problems of suffering that were happening now; and I felt able to handle some answers, since I was asking and wanting to approach the problems of suffering. When it came home to me and my family through all sorts of twists and turns in life; I had to have a serious answer and the religions of the "area" were not giving the answers. There were no answers; just wait and see and bear all in "Faith". I had done this "faithfully" with no resolution to the problems or productive ways of dealing with the future suffering of my self and those around me. I had no answers and I knew they were out there; somewhere; otherwise I would not be having this "natural" inclination to be asking my questions about suffering and life.

So in my attempt to tell you about the "answers" I found so far and how it is working for me; that is the reason for this part of this page. I want it to be like finding a jewel or get the response "Yes, that is what I suspected all along". Any way I will keep it simple and not be acting religiously narrow, because it is not a religious answer I have found. The essence of what I found are located in the Mandalas I shared above and within the many links placed here upon these few pages; once the information is sorted out and applied on an every day personal level - to see if it is a truth you can work with too, in life and its challenges. I hope what you find here can become "workable" answers for you.

The first answer is that every one here that we see around us; the people, the animals, and all other beings are the same; all trapped in this cycle of suffering. People worry about poverty, natural disasters, diseases, loneliness, cruelty and war. Animals face starvation, abuse, being hunted by each other, disease and isolation. But we all see this as 'normal'; something to be avoided and worked at to not have happen. But when it does happen we say it is the will of a god or that is was that person's fault it happened; both of these notions just excuses; to make us feel better and hopefully keep these sufferings away from our door in the future. But our hard work, or religious attitudes, salvations we collected and rituals, or our luck or our separation from "others" --- don't keep this suffering away.

And the other interesting facet of suffering is that the opposite of happiness or too much of a good thing is suffering too. Have you ever noticed when you get too much of what you have wanted you suffer? Like too much sun, you get sun burnt and too much pizza you get indigestion and a fat waist? Sex with too many people gets you diseases, unwanted pregnancies and emotional strain? Too much dieting gets you poor health and too much money gets you too many responsibilities? Amazing how on the flip side of happiness there can be so much suffering. So without even worrying about any rules or doing immorality; suffering is a natural out come of living this life of birth, life and death. Its a fact that every being "born" will suffering in "life" and then "die"; it is unavoidable. Also nothing is permanent; this is good in some ways and suffering in others; impermanence brings to us separation from what we are familiar with and from what makes us happy. Happiness then is no different from suffering; because happiness and suffering can not be separated from one another; but we see them as separate and cause ourselves more suffering because of the duality we live within.

So the question can be now: "Is suffering a normal part of who we are?" The answer is no. Since we are asking and naturally are surprised when suffering comes our way or we see others suffering; then of course there has to have been a time when there was no suffering. And happiness was as it should be a joy. And there was no bottom-line to suffer. There was a balance between everything and no separation between anything. Since we naturally 'are' at odds with this thing called suffering.

So we must identify what is this suffering? How does it effect us and what do we hope to do in life? First suffering is found in the form of hatred. We all understand what hatred is; from the smallest hurt to the biggest holocaust; so I don't need to explain that. Then the next is the "poison" of attachment. We become "inappropriately" attached to so many things. Family, things, goals, money, beliefs and even an image of ourselves and within all of these attachments is found the opposite of happiness, which is suffering. With this attachment is the feeling that there is never enough of anything and the desire is formed to gain more or get more of what we think will make us happy. So something needs to be done with shaping these desires and attachments in a way to work for us, instead of against us as they naturally do in the life-cycle of birth, life and death. The last category or poison of suffering is our delusions; the way we view the world around us and others around us. We easily see others and the world physically separate from us and we act accordingly to either control or possess what is separate from our "self". Delusions are ignorance in that we don't know what suffering is and what it's origins are and we act out our lives within this reassuring ignorance. Like we run the rat race and look toward having the best at any cost and we don't realize what we are really doing and why? But some people are not at the place to answer these questions or would rather not. But the suffering that comes because of this ignorance is not apparent to all of them and their "religion" or priorities; these delusions mask reality and these people continue on in life and suffering. When we start to question why things happen and what can be done about it we are offered alot of answers to placate us by society and religion, these answers are met to bring us back into line and to stop us from questioning this system of birth, life and death; as presented by religious traditions and secular institutions.

Now what we have been talking about is the origin of suffering. Notice, suffering, has so far nothing to do with being "good" people. That is why it is so pervasive and respects no person or being. Suffering is every where. Now the next question is: "How do we do something about it?" The "how" is in the way we change our minds, about how we view things or what is called turning the mind. We want to find our original self, our reality, our union or nonduality, our original face and a way of looking at where we are and what we are doing. Again we are not talking about breaking rules or keeping a set of rules, but we will notice here that these three poisons [hatred, attachment and ignorance] or markers of the origin of suffering, have alot to do with what is called "cause and effect". If there is a cause then there is an effect. And we see that every day. If we are self centered then we create certain causes or negativities that contribute to a condition called negative karma or a "habit" of doing negative things, then we create certain "negative" results. If we view things a certain way we create the causes to form those certain effects or out come. And the natural out come is suffering when used as the "means" for living life these "the three poisons" and not finding the reality that is here within us, awaiting to be unveiled.

What we have been discussing here is written down ( "The Four Noble Truths" and "The Eightfold Path" ) by a man who lived in the past and had the best life in the world, he was a prince (not a god) and he because of his compassion for others, saw the suffering in the world he could do nothing about. And the suffering that could come upon him and his family as well, like the results of birth - being disease, aging and then death. He wanted to know what to do about these and that there must be an answer to the origins of suffering. This man is the historical Buddha Shakyamuni and you can read about the results he found, as to what to do about what is happening around us in this world we live in. He did not "preach" a religion, but taught a valid and workable Path to how to get out of this "cause and effect"; this birth, life and death cycle. He did not say believe in me or a god sent me to tell you to shape up. He said look at my findings to meet the challenges in life and if they don't work for you in your present situation, then don't use them. He was not a religious man; but he taught discipline and precepts to "practice" life within; in order to show compassion toward others around us, as a practice of life and ultimately join him in a practice of the finding of themselves and reality, as he had accomplished himself. He set forth, an amazing 84,000 ways, to find liberation from suffering, to match the needs of every being. So there is not one set way of practicing, what he found out. And the way to get started is to be searching for the answers and know that suffering is not a punishment or natural state; but can be remedied with the right turning of the mind back to your original self.

All along my personal journey, I found that I was not searching for a god, or forgiveness for the condition I found my self and others in or even union with a separate being greater than my self that I could give my self to and solve all of these problems in the sweet by-and-by. I was looking for "me". And at the same time, I found out who I was not. Once I started unveiling myself completely, I will not see any difference or duality between sadness and joy or man and woman or suffering and happiness; because once I unveil everything by practicing the Path that is before me of my life, these extremes will not matter and therefore the origins of sufferings will have no hold over nor have a reality in my life. I will be free, liberated and enlightened.Not that I won't care about life or be disconnected from it, but instead I will be able to embrace and enjoy life as reality and not a delusional system of random thoughts, or feelings or beliefs.

Enlightenment is a big fancy word for strange junk from somewhere out there: at least that is what some would say. But in reality, enlightenment is within us awaiting to be seen and used. Enlightenment is not "out-there" and unnatural or foreign; it is within in all of us and all beings. It is no big deal; but it is everything. It is the "Yes, I've got it now and understand what to do about that", type thing. Enlightenment is not just an Asian thing or a New Age thing; it is a Living Being born in this World thing. So from what I have found of Buddha's teachings, in it's many forms, are not a "religion", but a way to live life. A practice of life beyond what I see or feel and beyond the conventional reality. A way to deal with the "why" things happen and to know why things don't happen; with no guilt involved; but only the "dusting my self off", when I stumble or meet a challenge and moving ahead. There is no "sin condition" keeping us from our goal of liberation; the only thing keeping us here practicing "suffering" is the perception - the baggage - we insist on carrying with us as we our practice life; turning our mind away from this practice or "habit" is a path and away out of the practice of suffering we are so good at doing.

The point of this Mandala section is not to teach any one how to become a Buddhist or be a Buddhist or Hindu or anything else. You can do these mantras and practices within any religion you happen to be within. There is no belief in a god within Buddhism or vows to a separate being to rescue a person from themselves. It is not hard to become a Buddhist though; just do your path, learn, find a reliable teacher and just do - live your practice. There's really no set way to become a Buddhist. And you don't have to be of a particular ethnic persuasion; Buddhists come in all shapes, colors and sizes. There is only Refuge in the teachings of Buddha and the use of the teachings and teachers we meet, who help us out in life and the moving ahead in your quest or journey applying these new ideas and habits upon the challenges of life. So I have placed above, in the Mandala section, "one" of the 84,000 Paths taught by the Buddha for people to use to turn the mind. It is not some big commitment to have to do something to yourself or to others or to avoid doing a certain something. There is no guilt in not doing it and no sense of making it if you do alittle more than average. But only the mind set of doing a practice that turns the mind and a certain Refuge and an approach to life to deal with the origins of suffering. So take a look at it and see what you think. Check out the Internet on words you find in these texts or thoughts you find here. You are not asked to reject a god or take on a new one. You are only shown a new way to view life and your self, within the 84,000 Paths of the teachings of Buddha to finding your answers within these approaches. But all of it is so much more and it is as much as you can handle, because Buddha said the complete instructions as to finding your liberation is found completely within each teaching and practice; like the practice discussed above in the Mandala section. The Path, I happened to present here is from Pure Land Buddhism with its origins in China, Japan and Korea. There are approaches that work as well from Teachers within Tibetan Buddhism and Theravadan Buddhism and even Hindu traditions; again more Paths to help all beings within. Even where you are at, as to religion or lifestyle, is a practice and a path to liberation; but unless it is answering your questions it may not be the most "effective" one for you at this time. So it is a personal decision and a personal search and you are well on your way if you are searching and asking questions.

Again I will relate back to these things I have learned as I share my experiences in this personal page, but I am not going to discuss my experiences from within a Buddhist frame work alone; I will be discussing them from within how I dealt with each challenge and how that approach worked for me. This is not a Buddhist web page or a Buddhist "thing"; this is a personal web page and Buddhism is a part of what I do and am. I hope you can find something useful here within your challenges, pains and joys. I hope you can see yourself here too and find some answers too. And no, I am not Japanese or Asian or an escapee from the 60s or someone bent on bashing any institution. I am a woman, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a wife, a mother, a searcher, a Buddhist, a Sadhak, a Shakti, a Poet, retired nurse, a teacher and anonymous in that the "who" I am is not important here. I am glad you have visited and have read this far in my page with me.

"Maha-Mangala Sutta": The Highest Protection

"The Cobra and the Usefulness of Conventional Wisdom on the Path"

"The Metta Sutta" - The Buddha's Teaching on Loving-Kindness

"Nichiren Shonin, Odaimoku and Gohonzon": history, reasons for and benefit of practice

Amitabha - The largest school of Buddhism in East Asia, but one that has received little attention up to now in the West. Practice and text information available for an effective practice focused on Amitabha Buddha. Pure Land Buddhism.
- http://www.amtbweb.org/tchem001.htm

Malas - The use of Malas for Meditation and Chanting. The History of Malas and other counting devices for personal practice work.
- http://www.khandro.net/practice_mala.htm

Guide to Tibetan Buddhism - A comprehensive site for Practice by a Tibetan Buddhist practitioner. Site includes Texts, Teachers, Motivational Practice and Meditational information. A nice place to start an investigation and study of Buddhism.
- http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org/index.html

Pema Chodron: Practice Teachings - A Tibetan Buddhism Tradition teaching web site by Pema Chodron. Giving instructions on the Practices of Tonglen, Lojong, Bodhicitta, Meditation and a nice section on "questions and answers".
- http://www.shambhala.org/teachers/pema/tonglen1.php

How to practice Zen Zazen or Sitting - A nice place to go to download a booklet with clear instruction on sitting or meditation. Also in this Pure Land Buddhism site within the download booklet is how to make your own cushion. This site is out of Japan in english.
- http://www.dogensangha.org/about.htm

Introduction to Buddhism - A Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism Tradition site. Introducing a person to Practices and Refuge, within Buddhism. A nice page to get a handle on the "How To of Practice".
- http://www.kagyu.org/buddhism/bud00.html

The Vajra Guru Mantra - The Syllable by Syllable Commentary
Explaining the Benefits and Advantages of the Vajra Guru Mantra.
- http://www.rinpoche.com/gurumantra.html

Nichiren Shu Buddhist Temple - Lexington, Kentucky
The Temple serves all of these areas, north and southeast states of the United States including: Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida."Enjoy your visit to our site, feel free to contact us with your questions."
- http://tripleworld.org/

Nichiren Shu - The Nichiren Shu is a Buddhist Order founded by Nichiren Shonin (1222-1282). He espoused the Lotus Sutra represents the focus point of Buddha Shakyamuni's teachings.
- http://www.nichiren-shu.org/

Cyber-Sangha - A REAL Jodo-Shin Shu Cyber-Sangha on-line
Course material for those interested in learning about Buddhism
and for those interested in having contact with an active Temple.
Course taught by Rev. Al Bloom - Hawaii.
- http://www.shindharmanet.com/cyber/index.htm

Heart Advice - Tibetan Buddhist Master, Geshe Dawa's Heart Advice.
- http://www.buddhasvillage.com/BuddhasVillage/teachings/gd_heart.htm

Sutra Salon - A 16 Year Cycle of Readings
for the Way of the Scholar Sage
The great thing about this is that
the Sutras are listed here with their urls
and that they can be read on-line!
- http://campross.crosswinds.net/dharmajim/reading-cycle.html

Asanga's Search - The Story of Asanga in pictures and text.
- http://www.tibetart.com/stories/Asanga/asanga1.html

BENEFITS OF RECITING OM MANI PADME HUM
- as told by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
So simple a practice and can be done with little time and effort.
Making this a very valuable and beneficial Daily Practice.
Try it out and see what a difference it can make for you.
- http://www.buddhasvillage.com/BuddhasVillage/teachings/lzbenefits.htm

Meditation On Buddha Shakyamuni - a simple daily routine.
"OM MUNI MUNI MAHA MUNI YE SOHA"
- http://www.fpmt-osel.org/meditate/buddha.htm

SUTRA OF KSITIGARBHA BODHISATTVA - Helpful Sutra Study and Text on-line.
- http://www.sinc.sunysb.edu/Clubs/buddhism/ksitigarbha/content.html

"Not until the hells are emptied will I become a Buddha;
Not until all beings are saved will I certify to Bodhi."
- Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva

Any way a few sites to play with and investigate Buddhism through as to "How To Practice?" - a.a.

 

- Texts On-Line -

The Noble Eightfold Path - The Way to End Suffering. This is a great site for not only getting to read this important text of understanding Suffering and forming a Practice; it is a library site of so many other texts important to Buddhism and specifically to Theravadan Buddhism.
- http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/bps/misc/waytoend.html

Bodhi Leaves
- Here are some selections from the
Buddhist Publication Society's series of Bodhi Leaves booklets
offering personal reflections on the Buddha's teachings.
- http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/bps/leaves/index.html

The Sutra of The Three Heaps - TRISKANDHADHARMA
The Bodhisattva's Confession of Moral Downfalls
Purification Sadhana: purifying the creation of negative karma.
Visualisation of the Thiry-five Buddhas of Confession
- http://www.thubtenchodron.org/PrayersAndPractices/35Buddhas.pdf

The Dhammapada - on-line translation by Thomas Byrom
"We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts we make the world...."
- http://www.angelfire.com/ca/SHALOM/dhammapada.html

The Lotus Sutra | On-Line
- Included here 2 complete translations of the Lotus Sutra
and a Commentary of the Lotus Sutra.
- http://lotus.nichirenshu.org/lotus/sutra/english/hokke-idx.htm

The Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Law
- Translated By H. Kern (1884)
This text is one of the most famous scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism.
The Lotus Sutra - The work presented here is the second and most popular sutra of the three.
- http://reluctant-messenger.com/lotus_sutra.htm

Index to the Three Pure Land Sutras - Teachings by the Buddha on the PureLand and Amitabha (Amitayus) Buddha with in his vows. Easy to read and very visual. Discussing life, death and practice of another of the 84,000 paths to liberation and enlightenment the Buddha taught.
"Namu Amida Butsu"
- http://web.mit.edu/stclair/www/amida.html

The Flower of Dharma Turns the Flower of Dharma - Zen Master Dogen's take on the Lotus Sutra, written in 1241, called Hokke-ten-Hokke or "The Flower of Dharma Turns the Flower of Dharma"
-http://campross.crosswinds.net/library/Hokke-ten-Hokke.html

The Dhammapada - This is a collection of the sayings of Buddha concerning some every day topics. Gives a person a feel for what the Buddha was getting at and felt was important to focus upon. A Translation by Thanissaro Bhikkhu - A Theravadan Buddhism site.
- http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/khuddaka/dhp/

Treasury of Truth | online
Treasury of Truth .pdf - Dhammapada Text and Commentary. An indepth study of the text version of the "Illustrated Dhammapada" A Translation by Ven. Sarada Maha Thero - A Theravadan Buddhism - an On-Line Book and in .pdf
- http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/dhammapadatxt1.pdf
- http://www.buddhanet.net/dhammapada/

The Tannisho - A Pure Land Buddhism site discussing the teachings exchanged between an ancient teacher and his student concerning the use of the Vows of Amida Buddha. Specifically this is a Shin Buddhist Tradition Site.
- http://www.livingdharma.org/Tannisho/TannishoContents.html

The Collected Works of Shinran - A Pure Land Buddhism site discussing the teachings based on the Teacher Shinran and how to use the Vows of Amida Buddha with in your life. Soon the whole collection can be seen On-Line in this book form. Specifically this is a Shin Buddhist Tradition Site.
- http://www.shinranworks.com/

Amida Buddha: The Infinite - A Pure Land Buddhism site containing an On-Line book discussing the Practice of the Nembutsu.
- http://www.nembutsu.info/atibanner.htm

Buddha of Infinite Light - An introduction to the life of Amitabha Buddha and his 48 Vows toward us and our enlightenment - Oya sama
- http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/amida.shtml

Introduction to Teachings of Theravada Buddhism - The following are links to the Teachings of Theravada Buddhism and some introductions to and summaries of the Buddha’s Teachings.
- http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bullitt/theravada.html

The Gospel of Buddha - Compiled from ancient records by Paul Carus, 1894
- http://reluctant-messenger.com/gospel_buddha/

The Word of the Buddha - by Nyanatiloka
- http://www.enabling.org/ia/vipassana/Archive/N/Nyanatiloka/WOB/wobTOC.htm

MANUAL OF ZEN BUDDHISM - by DAISETZ TEITARO SUZUKI
A Manual for both the new Buddhist
and the experienced practitioner.
An excellent guide to the essence of Zen and Mahayana Buddhism. I was surprised to find the whole Manual on-line, just press the "Next" at the top of the URL page to turn the page.
- http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/mzb/mzb00.htm

The Diamond Sutra - The Diamond of Perfect Wisdom Sutra
The complete English Translation from the Chinese by Kumarajiva in pdf form for reading on-line and printing
- http://www.hsuyun.org/common/downloads/Diamond2.pdf

The Heart Sutra - The Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra
The complete English Translation from the Chinese by Hsoan-tsang in pdf form for reading on-line and printing
- http://www2.fodian.net/old/English/HeartT0251-e.pdf

The Great Parinirvana Sutra - Nirvana Sutra,containing insight into Buddha's Nature.
The Text an English Translation from the Chinese by Dharmaksema
- http://www.nirvanasutra.org.uk/

The Lotus Sutra - This is another Important Sutra in Pure Land Buddhism, introducing the Practice of repeating the name of the expedient promises found in the Lotus Sutra from the Buddha.
- Namu Myoho Renge Kyo -
- http://lotus.nichirenshu.org/lotus/sutra/english/watson/indxwatson.htm

Handbook for Mankind - A nice site for those investigating Buddhism or just wanting to know more. I really like this talk given in a On-Line Book form. It is a talk given by a Theravadin Buddhist Tradition Teacher and a friend of mine told me about this book, when given it by a Theravadin Teacher for an Introduction to Buddhism. Very simple!
- http://www.buddhanet.net/budasa.htm

A Primer of Shin Buddhism - From Australia a "How to" book on Buddhism and Shin Buddhism in general
- http://www.nembutsu.info/primshin.htm

Genjo Koan - Genjo Koan: Actualizing the Fundamental Point - Here is the place; here the way unfolds. - by Eihei Dogen - Zen Master
- http://www.sfzc.com/Pages/Library/genjokoa.html

The Novice Buddhist - Introduction to Buddhism - very basic from a Tibetan Tradition approach
- http://www.angelfire.com/rings/novice-buddest/

e-Buddhist Library - Explore Dhamma Articles around the world
- http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Runway/5787/index.htm

The Zen Teachings of Bodhidharma - Translated by Red Pine 1987
EXCERPTS.....
"Outline of Practice"
"The Wake-up Sermon"
"The Breakthrough Sermon"
Very very simple to the point teachings about the Path.
ISBN: 0865473994
- http://www.asianwisdom.com/zen_teachings_of_bodhidharma.htm

Pure Land of the Patriarchs | Dream Roamings - Teachings of Han-shan Te-ch'ing
- http://www.ymba.org/han/hanfrm.htm
Three Verses by Han-shan Te-ch'ing
Who is Han-shan Te-ch'ing?
Buddhism and Taoism | Han-shan Te-ch'ing
Journey to Dream Land
Master Han Shan

Reciting mantras or contemplating mind
Are merely herbs for polishing a mirror.
When the dust is removed,
They are also wiped away.

- Han Shan Te Ch’ing 1546-1623

The Jodoron - A Pure Land Buddhism site discussing the teachings of ancient Buddhist Teacher and now a Buddha: Vasubandhu. He discusses here again the practice of the Vows of the Buddha of Infinite Light: Buddha Amitabha. A nice text from the Journal of Pure land Buddhism by David Matsumoto. I liked it and this text gave me ideas to work with in my Practice.
- http://mahajana.net/texts/kopia_lokalna/jodoron_d_matsumoto.html

Odaimoku - Nichiren Shonin, Odaimoku and Gohonzon: history, reasons for and benefit of practice.

 
Back to Origins

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Books of Interest

The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living
By The Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler, M.D.
ISBN: 1-57322-111-2

When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times
By Pema Chodron
ISBN: 1-57062-160-8

The Threefold Lotus Sutra
Translated by Bunno Kato
Kosei Publishing Co.
ISBN: 4-333-00208-7

and

A Guide to the Threefold Lotus Sutra
by Nikkyo Niwano
Kosei Publishing Co.
ISBN: 433301025X

The Dhammapada
Edited by Anne Bancroft
ISBN: 1-85230-921-0

Words of My Perfect Teacher
by Patrul Rinpoche
ISBN: 1570624127

and

A Guide to the Words of My Perfect Teacher
by Khenpo Ngawang Pelzang
ISBN: 1590300734

Fundamentals of Buddhism

The Life of the Buddha and The Four Noble Truths

Buddhism in Practice | Refuge

Pure Land Pure Mind

Pure Land of the Patriarchs | Practice Teaching

The Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment | Yuanjue jing

The Four Noble Truths

Buddhism of Wisdom & Faith

A Brief Overview of the Bardo | "Or a story about death...."

The Diamond Sutra

Sutra of the Medicine Buddha

Good Question, Good Answer

The Sutra of Hui Neng | OnLine | The Altar Sutra

Short Buddhist Texts

Eight Lectures | Buddhism in Practice

Manual of Zen Buddhism

Mind Seal of the Buddhas | .pdf

Mind-Seal of the Buddhas | on-line

Kannon Gyo .pdf

The Four Noble Truths
By Lobsang Gyatso
ISBN: 1-55939-027-1

The Four Noble Truths
By The Dalai Lama
ISBN: 0722535503

The Six Perfections
Commentary by Geshe Sonam Rinchen
ISBN: 1-55939-089-1

Gently Whispered
Oral Teachings by Kalu Rinpoche
Nature of the Mind | Excerpts from "Gently Whispered"
ISBN: 0-88268-153-2

Luminous Mind: The Way of Buddha
By Kalu Rinpoche
ISBN: 0-86171-118-1

The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha: A New Translation of the Majjhima Nikaya
Translated by Bhikkhu Nanamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi
ISBN: 0-86171-072-X

The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya
By Maurice Walshe
ISBN: 0-86171-103-3

Tara the Feminine Divine
By Bokar Rinpoche
ISBN: 1-93016-400-9

Tannisho:
A Shin Buddhist Classic
Translated by Taitetsu Unno
ISBN: 0-938474-18-9

The Buddhism of Tibet
combined volume comprising
The Buddhism of Tibet
and the Key to the Middle Way
by Tenzin Gyatso, The Fourteenth Dalai Lama
and The Precious Garland
and the Song of the Four Mindfulnesses
by Nagarjuna and the Seventh Dalai Lama
The Wisdom of Tibet Series
Motilal Banarsidass - Publisher
ISBN: 81-208-037502

Awakening the Mind,
Lightening the Heart
by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
The Path to Enlightenment Series
HarperCollins - Publisher
ISBN: 0-06-061688-1

Four Foundations
of Buddhist Practice
Namo Buddha Publications
www.rinpoche.com
by Thrangu Rinpoche
ISBN: 0-9628026-2-x

Training the Mind
and Cultivating Loving-Kindness
by Chogyam Trungpa
Shambhala - Publisher
ISBN: 0-87773-954-4

The Jewel Ornament of Liberation:
The Wish-Fulfilling Gem of the Noble Teachings
by Gampopa
Khenpo Konchog Gyaltshen
Ani K. Trinlay Chodron
Snow Lion Publications
ISBN: 1559390921

The Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa
a guide book of devotions
a manual of Buddhist Yoga
insight into Tibetan Buddhism
by GARMA C.C. CHANG
Shambhala - Publisher
ISBN: 1570624763

The Teaching of Buddha - Numata Center: BDK Publications "The Teaching of Buddha" book is a collection of writings on the essence of Buddhism, selected and edited from the vast Buddhist canon, presented in a concise, easy-to-read, and nonsectarian format. It also includes a brief history of Buddhism, a listing of the source texts, a glossary of Sanskrit terms, and an index.

Just a few titles to look at when you visit your local book store to have a coffee on a nice Sunday afternoon. These have information specific to thoughts, precepts and attitudes found within Buddhism. They are all nice books to get started with and you will not find them confusing or too heavy. I also like them because they provide information I can apply now to what I am doing. Any way I hope you find what you are looking for and can use. I hope you will find some answers here.

 
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Namu Myoho Renge Kyo

"I know who is practising the Way and who is not.
Therefore, I expound various teachings
To all living beings
According to their capacities.

I am always thinking:
'How shall I cause all living beings
To enter into the unsurpassed Way
And quickly become Buddhas?'"
"The Lotus Sutra": Chapter 16 p. 249
ISBN:4890451072

"The ThreeFold Lotus Sutra"
Innumerable Meanings
The Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Law
And
Meditation on the Bodhisattva Universal Virtue
translated by Bunno Kato, Yoshiro Tamura, and Kojiro Miyasaka
Kosie Publishing Co.
ISBN: 4 333 00208 7

"A Guide to the ThreeFold Lotus Sutra"
by Nikkyo Niwano
Kosie Publishing Co.
ISBN: 4 333 01025 x

"Buddhism For Today"
A Modern
Interpretation
of the
Threefold Lotus Sutra
by Nikkyo Niwano
Kosie Publishing Co.
ISBN: 4 333 00270 2

"The Lotus Sutra Life and Soul
of Buddhism"
A Modern Introduction to
The Lotus Sutra
Giving a Better Understanding
of the Buddha's Teachings
by Nikkyo Niwano
Hindoe Printing Co.
and
Kosie Publishing Co.
ISBN: no number listed
copyright 1970 - Tokyo 1971
in English
Out Of Print - do a used book search

"Fire In The Lotus"
The Dynamic
Buddhism
of
Nichiren
by Daniel B. Montgomery
Mandala - A Division of HarperCollins
ISBN: 1 85274 091 4
a book that explains
the History and Practices
of the Lotus Sutra
Out Of Print - do a used book search

"Namu Myoho Renge Kyo"
Adoration to the Scripture
of the Lotus
of the Perfect Truth

 

 

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OM TARA TUTTARE TURE SOHA

Tara's Practice: Who is Tara?

The Arya Tara Page

Tara Sadhana | a Virtual Tara Shrine

Arya Tara: Mother of all Buddhas

Homage to Tara

Tara The Liberator

Tara | medicinebuddha.org

Tara

Tara the Feminine Divine
By Bokar Rinpoche
ISBN: 1-93016-400-9

 

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"Taking Refuge"

I go for Refuge to the Buddha,
I go for Refuge to the Dharma,
I go for Refuge to the Sangha,
May I become Buddha for the Benefit of All.

May all Beings as expansive as space, have Happiness and all the causes for Happiness.
May all Beings as expansive as space, not have Suffering nor any of the causes of Suffering.
May all Beings as expansive as space, have only Happiness and no longer have the accompanying Suffering.
May all Beings find Equanimity, Free from the Three Poisons of Hatred, Ignorance and Attachment!

I Dedicate this Wish for all Beings, as Merit toward Their Liberation and Enlightenment.
So that I and We can become Buddhas for the Benefit of All!

 

Seven - Limb Prayer
Reverently I prostrate with my body, speech and mind
And present clouds of every type of offering, actual and mentally transformed.
I confess all my negative actions accumulated since beginningless time
And rejoice in the virtues of all holy and ordinary beings.
Please remain until cyclic existence ends,
And turn the wheel of Dharma for sentient beings.
I dedicate the virtues created by myself and others to the great enlightenment.

 

"Om Ah Hung Vajra Guru Pema Siddhi Hung"

"Namu Myoho Renge Kyo"

"Om Tara Tuttare Ture Soha"

"OM MANI PADME HUM"

"OM MUNI MUNI MAHA MUNI YE SOHA"

"Tayatha Om Bekendze Bekendze
Maha Bekendze Radza
Samudgate Soha"

"Namu Amida Butsu"

 

In the night the bells of the mountain temple
Are swung by the wind from the pines.
From my bed of stone by the wintry lamp
I can hear the flowering rain of Buddha.
- Wang Wen-lu

 

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"one person is all people, all people are one person, one practice is all practices, all practices are one practice"
- Ryonin (1073 - 1132)

 

OM MANI PADME HUM