Indestructible Truth The Living Spirituality of Tibetan Buddhism

by Ray, Reginald A.

• ISBN13: 9781570629105
• ISBN10: 1570629102
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-07-23
• Publisher: Shambhala

Summary

Indestructible Truthis one of the most thorough introductions to the Tibetan Buddhist world view ever published; at the same time it is also one of the most accessible. The author presents complex and sophisticated teachings and practices in nontechnical language, using engaging stories and personal anecdotes to illustrate his points.Indestructible Truthpresents Tibetan Buddhism in its traditional form but also shows how the Tibetan traditions are applicable to the problems and challenges of modern life in the West. InIndestructible Truth,Tibetan Buddhism is introduced not as an exotic religion, but rather as an expression of human spirituality that is having a profound impact on the modern world. In addition, it presents the point of view of meditation and the practice of the spiritual life, paying special attention to contemplative practice and meditation as taught in the Kagyu and Nyingma schools.

Author Biography

Reginald A. Ray is Professor of Buddhist Studies at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, and a member of the graduate faculty of the Religious Studies Department at the University of Colorado. An acharya (senior teacher) in the lineage of Ch÷gyam Trungpa, he is also Teacher in Residence at Shambhala Mountain Center in Colorado. He has written extensively on the history, philosophy, and practice of Indian and Tibetan Buddhism.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	ix
Introduction	1	(6)
Tibet: People and Place	7	(8)
Part One The Sacred Environment	15	(50)
The Cosmos and Its Inhabitants	17	(30)
Living in the Sacred Cosmos	47	(18)
Part Two Tibet's Story	65	(162)
The Indian Wellspring	67	(22)
Foundations: The Early Spreading	89	(14)
Nyingma: The Ancient School	103	(27)
The Later Spreading: Kadam and Sakya	130	(22)
The Later Spreading: Kagyu	152	(37)
Modern Traditions: Geluk	189	(18)
Modern Traditions: The Ri-me (Nonsectarian) Movement	207	(20)
Part Three Core Teachings	227	(134)
Hinayana: The View	241	(39)
Hinayana: The Practice and Result	280	(31)
Mahayana: The View	311	(20)
Mahayana: The Practice and Result	331	(30)
Part Four Buddhist Philosophy: The Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma	361	(88)
The First Turning: Abhidharma	367	(25)
The Second Turning: Madhyamaka	392	(27)
The Third Turning: Buddha-Nature	419	(30)
Conclusion	449	(6)
Chronology of Tibetan Buddhist History	455	(6)
Notes	461	(10)
Bibliography	471	(6)
Credits	477	(2)
Index	479