"A provocative essay challenging the idea of Buddhist exceptionalism, from one of the world's most widely respected philosophers and writers on Buddhism and science. Buddhism has become a uniquely favored religion in our modern age. A burgeoning number of books extol the scientifically proven benefits of meditation and mindfulness for everything ranging from business to romance. There are conferences, courses, and celebrities promoting the notion that Buddhism is spirituality for the rational; compatible with cutting-edge science; indeed, "a science of the mind." In this provocative book, Evan Thompson argues that this representation of Buddhism is false. In lucid and entertaining prose, Thompson dives deep into both Western and Buddhist philosophy to explain how the goals of science and religion are fundamentally different. Efforts to seek their unification are wrongheaded and promote mistaken ideas of both. He suggests cosmopolitanism instead, a worldview with deep roots in both Eastern and Western traditions. Smart, sympathetic, and intellectually ambitious, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in Buddhism's place in our world today."--Provided by publisher.

Snowboarding to Nirvana: A Novel by Frederick Lenz The continuation of the national phenomena Surfing the Himalayas takes the crack American snowboarder down the mountain again, this time around with the greater spiritual enlightenment he gains through experience (the greatest teacher of all). As our snowboarder continues his lessons of enlightenment with Master Fwap, he also encounters earthly love in the form of a beautiful and wise Danish woman. A paradox ensues and a mystery is set forth, the mystery of "the missing dimension." This mystery must be understood and solved before our snowboarder can comprehend the next levels of Buddhistic lessons. Along the way, a wise, mysterious oracle of Nepal introduces our hero to Tibetan tantric texts that become crucial in the solving of his riddle.

Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature takes up centrally important premises of Buddhism: the unsatisfactoriness (duhkha) of cyclic existence (samsara), the determination to be free of cyclic existence, and the mind as the basis for both the extreme duhkha of samsara and the bliss of nirvana. This volume shows us how to purify our minds and cultivate awakened qualities. Knowledge of buddha nature reveals and reconciles the paradox of how the mind can be the basis for both the extreme duhkha of samsara (the unpurified mind) and the bliss and fulfillment of nirvana (the purified mind). To illustrate this, Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature first takes readers through Buddhist thought on the self, the Four Noble Truths, and their sixteen attributes. Then, the Dalai Lama explains afflictions, their arising and antidotes, followed by an examination of karma and cyclic existence and, finally, a deep and thorough elucidation of buddha nature. This is the third volume in the Dalai Lama’s definitive and comprehensive series on the stages of the Buddhist path, The Library of Wisdom and Compassion. Volume 1, Approaching the Buddhist Path, contained introductory material that sets the context for Buddhist practice. Volume 2, The Foundation of Buddhist Practice, describes the important teachings that help us establish a flourishing Dharma practice. Samsara, Nirvana, and Buddha Nature can be read as the logical next step in this series or enjoyed on its own.

Can A Common Man With Family Responsibilities Achieve Nirvana Or Buddhahood? What Should Be The Spiritual Limit Of Ambition For A Busy Professional? Are There Different Kinds Of Negative Emotions? How Do You Stay Positive When Confronted With Environmental And Human Injustice? His Holiness The Dalai Lama Answers These And A Host Of Other Questions In This Companion Volume To The Transformed Mind: Reflections On Truth, Love And Happiness, Successfully Published Around The World In 1999. Interpreting The Ancient Wisdom Of Lord Buddha For Today'S Generation, He Speaks To Us About The Paths To Self-Realization And The Need To Overcome Negative Emotions In Order To Develop One'S Inner Consciousness. Wise, Compassionate And Always Pragmatic, He Offers Advice On The Many Issues That Confront The Ordinary Human Being: How To Free Yourself From Emotional Afflictions And Petty Cravings, How To Transform Anxiety And Depression Into Contentment, How To Initiate And Keep Alive Inter-Faith Dialogue In The Troubled Times We Live In. Undeniably One Of The Best Books Of Its Kind, Many Ways To Nirvana Gives Us An Insight Into The Dalai Lama'S Philosophy And Guides Us Along The Path To True Liberation.

An introduction to the Buddhist concept of nirvana, offering its own interpretations of key texts and translations for non-specialist readers.

Most Nirvana songs are well known and this collection includes all of their commercially released titles, plus a selection of their B-side singles and a handful of rare tracks to round out the collection.