Vision of Buddhism: The Space Under the Tree

Description

Destined to become a classic in its field, The Vision of Buddhism constitutes a dramatic departure from most Western treatments of Buddhism. Holding that the usual historical approach is not only irrelevant to Buddhism, but also destructive of its distinctive world view. Corless takes a nonlinear approach, one more faithful to the Buddhist tradition itself. Most Western treatments of Buddhism are historical, tracing in detail the chronology of Buddhism’s emergence and growth and its division into dozens of competing schools. This lucid and elegant introduction to Buddhism takes a non-historical approach, one that is more faithful to the Buddhist tradition itself. Author Roger Corless presents and explains Buddhist teachings and practices in light of events in the life of Buddha. He examines the mythologized version of Buddha’s life and the differing descriptions of Buddha’s life given by his followers. In the major section of the book he considers the matter of greatest importance to modern readers–how the Buddha’s life, in all its descriptions, may be repeated by each individual practitioner. The Vision of Buddhism Table of Contents Acknowledgments Introduction PART ONE: THE SEED: The Life of Buddha The Legends The Story of the Twelve Acts of the Buddha PART TWO: THE SPACE: Transparent Reality Abhidharma Madhyamika Yogachara Madhyamika (Ritornello) The Space PART THREE: THE TREE AND ITS FRUITS: Buddhism Chapter 1: The Birth of Buddhas (Acts 1, 2, and 3 of the Buddha) Introduction Synchronic Origin of Buddhas Diachronic Origin of Buddhas: General Question: Synchronic or Diachronic? Diachronic Origin of Buddhas: Special Chapter 2: The Value of Worldly Skills (Act 4 of the Buddha) The Buddhist Ruler Political Buddhism Social Buddhism The Martial Arts Buddhism and Art Chapter 3: Buddhism in Family Life (Act 5 of the Buddha) Symbiosis of Monastics and Laypersons Accumulation of Merit Distribution of Merit Chapter 4: The Monastic Life (Act 6 of the Buddha) The Origin and Development of Buddhist Monasticism Monastic Initiation Monastic Rules Monastic Routine Appendix to Chapter 4: The Monastic Robes Chapter 5: Controversies with Non-Buddhists (Act 7 of the Buddha) Criticism of Theism and Atheism The Buddhist Response Establishing the Truth of Buddhism Chapter 6: The Center (Act 8 of the Buddha) Cosmology: The Centered World Meditation: The Centered Mind The Need for the Samgha Appendix to Chapter 6: The Triple World Chapter 7: Removing Obstacles (Act 9 of the Buddha) Mara and External Obstacles Mara and Internal Obstacles Removing Confused Perception Chapter 8: The Pinnacle (Act 10 of the Buddha) Psychic Powers and Magic Breaking the Cycle Chapter 9: Teaching (Act 11 of the Buddha) The First Sermon Transmission of Teachings Skillful Means Teaching by Silence Chapter 10: Complete Openness (Act 12 of the Buddha) Nirvana Disappearance Reappearance Spontaneous Joy The Nature of Liberation APPENDIX: The Story of the Dharma Unity and Diversity Buddhism and Culture Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism in the West Select Glossary Index Figures Fig. 1: The Origin of Buddhas Fig. 2: The Realm of Indra’ss Net Fig. 3: The Trikaya Fig. 4: Head and Feet of a Buddha Fig. 5: The Symbiosis of Lay Persons and Monastics Fig. 6: The Perfections and the Pure Abidings Fig. 7: Schematized Monastic Schedules Fig. 8: A Single World-System Fig. 9: The Wheel of Existence Fig. 10: Schematic Representation of the Triple World Fig. 11: Ignorance and Wisdom according to Yogachara Fig. 12: Stupa Development