Contemplating Reality A Practitioner's Guide to the View in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism

by KARR, ANDY

• ISBN13: 9781590304297
• ISBN10: 1590304292
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-04-10
• Publisher: Shambhala

Summary

This book is for intermediate and advanced Buddhist practitioners who wish to deepen their understanding by joining practice with study of traditional ideas. It introduces the reader to contemplations that investigate a series of views of reality as they evolved in the Buddhist tradition. These views are explained in plain English, with contemporary metaphors and examples to bring out their meaning for modern Buddhists. Quotations from both historical and living meditation masters and scholars are presented as examples of key principles. Topics include EgolessnessAppearances and realityMethods of investigationEnlightenmentTenets of different schools through the centuriesThe root of compassionThe origin of thoughts Guided exercises encourage the reader to trust in experiential understanding through deep contemplation of complex concepts. The book is structured as a guide for the reader's journey. For more information on the author, Andy Karr, visit his blog at http://contemplatingreality.blogspot.com/. For more information about this book, please visit www.contemplatingreality.org.

Author Biography

Andy Karr is a senior teacher of advanced Buddhist courses within two international practice communities in the United States and Europe. Through studying with various Tibetan Buddhist masters, he has managed to combine meditation, deep study of Buddhist philosophy, and teaching Buddhism with a career in investment banking.

Table of Contents

Ropes and snakes	p. 3
Making the journey	p. 16
Starting to contemplate	p. 27
Selflessness 101	p. 32
Vaibhashika : taking things apart	p. 41
Sautrantika : what really comes to mind?	p. 53
A poetic interlude	p. 63
Mahayana 101	p. 67
Chittamatra : there is only mind	p. 82
Three natures	p. 97
The middle	p. 107
Another interlude	p. 116
Svatantrikas and Prasangikas	p. 119
Great reasonings of the middle way	p. 128
No arising	p. 136
Further reasonings	p. 146
The analysis of the automobile	p. 155
Shentong Madhyamaka	p. 168
Last interlude	p. 181
Meditation	p. 183
Action	p. 191
Biographical sketches of the early Indian masters
The stages of meditation on emptiness
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.