NAGARJUNA IN CONTEXT: Mahayana Buddhism & Early Indian Culture by Joseph Walser
Nagarjuna, one of India's greatest philosophers, is the most influential thinker in the Mahayana Buddhist tradition. While his philosophy has been the subject of numerous studies and translations, Joseph Walser provides the first examination of Nagarjuna's life and writings within the social, religious, and institutional contexts of the early history of Buddhism.
METAPHYSICS AND MYSTICISM IN MAHAYANA BUDDHISM: An Analytical Study of the Ratnagotravibhago - Mahayanottaratantra Sastram by C.D. Sebastian
Canonical and classical Mahayana literature falls into two classes viz., Prajnaparamita and the Tathagatagarbha classes. The Ratnagotravibhago Mahayanottara- tantra Sastra, popularly known as the Uttaratantra, is the foremost example of the Tathagata-garbha literature. In this volume the author makes an exegetical and analytic study of the same text, and brings out the metaphysical and mystical bearings of Mahayana Buddhism. The teaching of the Uttaratantra is a perfect blend of philosophy, religion, spiritual discipline, mysticism and metaphysics - a blend that is characteristic of Buddhism. Tathagata-garbha is an important Mahayana principle, which explains that all living beings possess the essence of Buddha-hood (Sarva- sattvas-tathatagata-garbhah). Tatha- gata-garbha theory is a teaching that gives great optimism for all living beings in the pursuit of Bodhi (Enlightenment) or Buddhatva (Buddhahood). This theory enshrines in it a sublime concept that all the sentient beings are potential Buddhas or all will attain Buddha-hood. Owing to the presence of Tathagata-garbha in all, one perceives the equality of oneself with others, and works for the well-being of all living beings, as one's entire life motif.
The Salistamba Sutra, a Mahayana text of great antiquity, has perished in its original Sanskrit form. It is, however, extensively quoted in Sanskrit commentarial literature which does survive in the original. Moreover, the Salistamba survives in several Chinese versions and in Tibetan, including a seventh-century manuscript which represents one of the earliest extant examples of the Tibetan language.
UNITING WISDOM AND COMPASSION: Illuminating The Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva by Chokyi Dragpa, trans. by Heidi Koppl, intro. by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche
Uniting Wisdom and Compassion is a unique presentation of the Buddhist Path by Chokyi Dragpa, the foremost gelug disciple of the famed nineteenth-century Tibetan master Patrul Rinpoche. Its quotations and direct instructions from realized sages of the past reinforce one another, subtly penetrating the mind and preparing it for meditation.
One of the most popular Asian classics for roughly two thousand years, the Vimalakirti Sutra stands out among the sacred texts of Mahayana Buddhism for its conciseness, its vivid and humorous episodes, its dramatic narratives, and its eloquent exposition of the key doctrine of emptiness or nondualism.
THE CONCEPT OF BODHICITTA IN SHANTIDEVA'S BODHICARYAVATARA by Francis Brassard
"This is a thorough and careful exploration of the psychology and soteriology of Shantideva's Bodhicaryavatara, with occasional reference to its only surviving Indian commentary (by Prajnakaramati)."-- Paul Griffiths
This book explores an important concept within the Buddhist Mahayana tradition, bodhicitta. This term appears frequently in Sanskrit literature relating to the spiritual practices of the bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism and has been variously translated as "thought of enlightenment" or "desire of enlightenment."
THE LARGE SUTRA ON PERFECT WISDOM with the Divisions of the Abhisamayalankara trans. & ed. by Edward Conze
A full translation of the 100,000 line perfection of wisdom sutra. Buddha Shakyamuni explains the evolution of beings into bodhisattvas and buddhas. A major portion of the traditional training offered in Tibetan monasteries is based on this text.
Entering the Path of Enlightenment: The Bodhicaryavatara of the Buddhist Poet Shantideva by Santideva / Matics, M.L.
Entering the Path of Enlightenment contains the first complete English translation of the Sanskrit Bodhicaryavatara of the Buddhist poet Shantideva. In this beautiful and moving classic of Mahayana Buddhism, Santideva, a monk living in Nalanda in the early eighth century A.D., describes the Bodhisattva Vow, the promise of heroic beings to strive for Nirvana, but to postpone full entrance into the Realm of Absolute until every other sentient creature also attains the bliss of Enlightenment. This classic of mahayana Buddhism has often been compared to both the Dhammapada of Hinayana Buddhism and The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis.
For the sake of the student and laymen as well as the specialist and scholar, the book is divided into three parts: a guide, the translation, and the appendices. The guide, which comprises more than half the book, explains and interprets the bodhicaryavatara, placing it in the framework of developing Buddhist thought, and discusses the rise of Madhyamika Buddhism, of which Santideva was a disciple. The appendices contain abbreviations used in the text; notes and references for the guide and translation; a bibliography of primary and secondary sources; and an extensive glossary of selected terms from the guide and the translation.
SUNYATA: The Essence of Mahayana Spirituality by Moti Lal Pandit
An attempt has been made to explain as to what were the essential cuases that led to the rise of the Mahayana, and, upon its emergence, how it tried to fulfill the religious aspirations and hopes of its adherents by removing such barriers as would prevent the ordinary people from enjoying the salvific peace of the Dharma which the Buddha, upon the attainment of enlightenment, had proclaimed to the masses of India. The Mahayanists carrid out successfully the salvific mission of the Buddha by giving equal opportunity to both the religious and the laity insofar as the ultimate soteriological goal of liberation from bondage was concerned.
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