Faces of Compassion: Classic Bodhisattva Archetypes and Their Modern Expression ― An Introduction to Mahayana Buddhism

by Taigen Dan Leighton, Joan Halifax (Foreword)

2013 Nautilus Book Award — Gold Medal in Religion/Spirituality — Eastern

Faces of Compassion introduces us to enlightened beings, the bodhisattvas of Buddhist lore. They're not otherworldly gods with superhuman qualities but shining examples of our own highest potential. Archetypes of wisdom and compassion, the bodhisattvas of Buddhism are powerful and compelling images of awakening. Scholar and Zen teacher Taigen Dan Leighton engagingly explores the imagery and lore of the seven most important of these archetypal figures, bringing them alive as psychological and spiritual wellsprings.

Emphasizing the universality of spiritual ideas, Leighton finds aspects of bodhisattvas expressed in a variety of familiar modern personages - from Muhammad Ali to Mahatma Gandhi, from Bob Dylan to Henry Thoreau, and from Gertrude Stein to Mother Teresa. This edition contains a revised and expanded introduction that frames the book as a exciting and broad-scoped view of Mahayana Buddhism. It's updated throughout to make it of more use to scholars and a perfect companion to survey courses of world religions or a 200-level course on Buddhism.

Genres: Buddhism, Religion, Zen, Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published March 25, 2003

Reviews

[Jon Ciliberto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Religious art’s purpose is, obviously, religious. Faces of Compassion, by Zen teacher Taigen Dan Leighton approaches iconography from this direction, and moves from the often distanced, scientific approach to images commonly found in volumes on Buddhist art to engaging directly the religious efficacy of observing and using images. Images in Buddhist art are a means, not an end. His approach is fresh, and of great usefulness to modern readers: by seeking for archetypes in real, familiar, modern day individuals, he provides those seeking models for a compassionate live ready and understandable guides. Full review at http://buddhistartnews.wordpress.com/...

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good intro to Mahayana buddhist concept of the bodhisattva, a big component in that religious theory. Leighton tries too hard to make it relevant by introducing current figures who he thinks embodies such activity...i found it a stretch but worth a consideration.