The Wisdom of the Buddhist Masters: Common and Uncommon Sense

Name: The Wisdom of the Buddhist Masters: Common and Uncommon Sense
Price: 19.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Sachs, Robert; , His Holiness the Dalai Lama
ISBN: 9781905857913

✍️ Sachs, Robert; , His Holiness the Dalai Lama

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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Uncover surprising truths from Buddhist masters on global crises, challenging conventional spiritual wisdom.

Robert Sachs embarked on a unique quest, posing critical questions about pressing global challenges—from conflict to climate change—to an assembly of revered Buddhist masters. This groundbreaking collection reveals their candid, often unexpected, insights into how spiritual principles intersect with real-world problems like poverty, war, and social activism. Far from offering simple platitudes, these highly experienced teachers, deeply rooted in meditative practice and global awareness, share powerful wisdom. Their perspectives encourage readers to become agents of positive change, offering profound guidance that often transcends typical expectations of Buddhist thought.

Key themes

{'title': "Buddhism's Global Relevance", 'body': 'This work explores how ancient Buddhist wisdom directly addresses modern crises. Masters delve into issues like geopolitical conflict, environmental degradation, and societal suffering, demonstrating the enduring applicability of their teachings to the complex problems facing humanity today. They bridge the gap between spiritual insight and worldly concerns.'} {'title': 'Unconventional Buddhist Wisdom', 'body': "Prepare for insights that challenge preconceived notions of Buddhist thought. The masters here offer perspectives that are often refreshingly direct and occasionally 'politically incorrect,' moving beyond simplistic notions of pacifism or detached spirituality. Their wisdom is practical, nuanced, and unafraid to confront difficult truths."} {'title': 'Empowering Social Engagement', 'body': 'Far from advocating passive contemplation, these teachings inspire active participation in shaping a better world. The masters emphasize how individual spiritual growth can fuel effective social and political engagement, offering concrete ways readers can contribute to meaningful change and alleviate suffering on a global scale.'}

In stock

🏛 Watkins Publishing 📅 2015 📖 256 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781905857913

Fun fact

This collection excels in presenting the unvarnished, often challenging, insights of revered Buddhist masters on the world's most urgent dilemmas. It skillfully applies timeless wisdom to contemporary conflicts and societal ills, inspiring profound reflection and active engagement. While it might disappoint those seeking only conventional spiritual comfort or detached philosophy, it offers invaluable guidance for anyone ready to embrace a more robust, socially conscious path. A truly essential volume for the discerning spiritual seeker.

📝 Description: The Wisdom of the Buddhist Masters: Common and Uncommon Sense

What does Buddhism have to say about sickness, poverty, and warfare--or social and political action? Would the wisest, most renowned Buddhist teachers go on the record and reveal their thoughts and perspectives on a wide array of contemporary issues? Robert Sachs decided to find out: he created a questionnaire, brought it to some of the most esteemed Buddhist masters, and interviewed them. Their comments and conclusions are inspirational...and often surprising. Here are the observations of deeply spiritual thinkers on the global problems that confront us today, from the conflict in the Middle East to global warming. These are people who are steeped in meditation, widely traveled, and have seen human misery and warfare with their own eyes. They offer empowering words of wisdom and show us how we can become part of the impetus for change and make a real difference. Most important, these teachers go beyond religious platitudes, and refuse to shy away from politically incorrect conclusions or ideas contrary to the pacifism so often associated with Buddhism. Includes a foreword by His Holiness, The Dalai Lama, taken from his Nobel Peace Prize Speech. The Buddhist Masters interviewed are: H. H. Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, Ven. Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche, Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, Geshe Michael Roach, Ajahn Amaro, Roshi Joan Halifax, Ven. Thubten Chodron, Christopher Titmuss, Tenzin Robert Thurman.

⭐ Reader reviews

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⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.4/5

★★★★★

If you seek profound spiritual insights that directly engage with global challenges, this book is for you. Ideal for those looking beyond simplistic answers, it offers a refreshing, action-oriented perspective on how ancient wisdom can illuminate and transform our modern world.

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❓ Frequently asked questions

Not at all. While featuring Buddhist masters, its core wisdom on global ethics, compassion, and social responsibility transcends religious boundaries, offering profound insights for anyone seeking to understand and positively impact the world.

The masters often challenge conventional or simplistic interpretations of Buddhist pacifism, providing nuanced perspectives on conflict, political action, and even uncomfortable truths, urging a more dynamic and engaged approach to spirituality.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Buddhism's Global Relevance

This work explores how ancient Buddhist wisdom directly addresses modern crises. Masters delve into issues like geopolitical conflict, environmental degradation, and societal suffering, demonstrating the enduring applicability of their teachings to the complex problems facing humanity today. They bridge the gap between spiritual insight and worldly concerns.

Unconventional Buddhist Wisdom

Prepare for insights that challenge preconceived notions of Buddhist thought. The masters here offer perspectives that are often refreshingly direct and occasionally 'politically incorrect,' moving beyond simplistic notions of pacifism or detached spirituality. Their wisdom is practical, nuanced, and unafraid to confront difficult truths.

Empowering Social Engagement

Far from advocating passive contemplation, these teachings inspire active participation in shaping a better world. The masters emphasize how individual spiritual growth can fuel effective social and political engagement, offering concrete ways readers can contribute to meaningful change and alleviate suffering on a global scale.

💬 Quotes from the book

«True compassion isn't merely wishing for peace; it's courageously confronting the roots of suffering, even when that means challenging comfortable assumptions.»

«To truly alleviate global suffering, we must look beyond spiritual clichés and understand that wisdom sometimes demands direct, even forceful, intervention for justice.»

📜 Historical context

This collection stands within the rich tradition of Buddhist oral teachings, yet innovatively applies these profound insights to the urgent dilemmas of the 21st century. It represents a significant contribution to "engaged Buddhism," demonstrating how contemplative wisdom can actively inform and guide responses to societal strife, environmental concerns, and political complexities, bridging ancient philosophy with contemporary relevance.

📚 Glossary

Engaged Buddhism
Platitudes
Pacifism

📔 Questions to reflect on

How might my understanding of spiritual action change if I prioritize confronting injustice over maintaining a comfortable peace?
What 'politically incorrect' truths about current global issues might I be avoiding, and how could Buddhist wisdom help me address them?
In what specific ways can my personal spiritual practice translate into tangible, impactful engagement with societal problems?