Light on Enlightenment : Revolutionary Teachings on the Inner Life

by Titmuss, Christopher

• ISBN13: 9781570625145
• ISBN10: 157062514X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 1999-12-01
• Publisher: Shambhala

Summary

This lucidly written guide is a practical introduction to the Buddha's teachings. Christopher Titmuss demonstrates how these teachings can affect our everyday lives, drawing on the experiences of real people. Each section concludes with questions to ask ourselves. Suggestions for practical exercises and tasks are included.

Author Biography

Christopher Titmuss teaches insight meditation retreats worldwide, including at the Insight Meditation Center in Barre, Massachusetts. He is a former Buddhist monk and a founding member of the International Board of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. He lives in England.

Table of Contents

THE BUDDHA'S CHARTER FOR INQUIRY	xi
INTRODUCTION	1	(7)
THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS	8	(17)
Introduction	8	(1)
Suffering	9	(6)
Desire -- A Cause of Suffering	15	(3)
Liberation from Suffering	18	(3)
The Path	21	(4)
THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH	25	(30)
Introduction	25	(1)
Right Understanding	26	(4)
Right Intention	30	(3)
Right Speech	33	(4)
Right Action	37	(3)
Right Livelihood	40	(4)
Right Effort	44	(3)
Right Mindfulness	47	(4)
Right Samadhi	51	(4)
THE TRIPLE GEM	55	(12)
Introduction	55	(1)
The Buddha	56	(4)
The Dharma	60	(3)
The Sangha	63	(4)
EIGHT WORLDLY CONDITIONS	67	(15)
Introduction	67	(1)
Profit and Loss	68	(3)
Success and Failure	71	(3)
Praise and Blame	74	(4)
Pleasure and Pain	78	(4)
THE THREEFOLD TRAINING	82	(12)
Introduction	82	(1)
Morality	83	(3)
Samadhi	86	(4)
Wisdom	90	(4)
FIVE AGGREGATES OF A HUMAN BEING	94	(17)
Introduction	94	(1)
Material Form	95	(3)
Feelings	98	(3)
Perceptions	101	(4)
Mental Formations, Thoughts	105	(2)
Consciousness	107	(4)
FIVE HINDRANCES	111	(16)
Introduction	111	(1)
Sense Desire	112	(2)
Anger	114	(3)
Boredom and Apathy	117	(3)
Restlessness and Worry	120	(3)
Doubt	123	(4)
THREE CHARACTERISTICS OF EXISTENCE	127	(13)
Introduction	127	(1)
Impermanence	128	(4)
Suffering	132	(3)
Not-self	135	(5)
FOUR FOUNDATIONS OF AWARENESS	140	(16)
Introduction	140	(1)
Body	141	(4)
Feelings	145	(3)
Mental States	148	(3)
The Dharma	151	(5)
FIVE PRECEPTS	156	(18)
Introduction	156	(1)
Not Killing	157	(4)
Not Stealing	161	(3)
Not Engaging in Sexual Harm	164	(3)
Not Lying	167	(4)
Not Heedlessly Engaging in Alcohol or Drugs	171	(3)
FOUR DIVINE ABIDINGS	174	(14)
Introduction	174	(1)
Loving Kindness	175	(3)
Compassion	178	(3)
Appreciative Joy	181	(3)
Equanimity	184	(4)
FOUR ABSORPTIONS	188	(10)
Introduction	188	(1)
Inner Happiness	189	(3)
Sublime Joy	192	(2)
Equanimity	194	(2)
Neither Pleasure nor Pain	196	(2)
FOUR FORMLESS REALMS	198	(10)
Introduction	198	(1)
Realm of Infinite Space	199	(2)
Realm of Infinite Consciousness	201	(2)
Realm of Infinite Nothingness	203	(2)
Realm of Neither Perception nor Non-perception	205	(3)
FOUR NOBLE ONES	208	(11)
Introduction	208	(1)
Stream-enterer	209	(3)
Once-returner	212	(2)
Non-returner	214	(1)
Arahant	215	(4)
Gaia House	219