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The Dhammapada for Awakening: A Commentary on Buddha s Practical Wisdom
Bringing a refreshing and timely perspective to ancient wisdom and showing seekers of inner peace how they can effectively lead a spiritual life in the modern world, The Dhammapada for Awakening: A Commentary on the Buddha's Practical Wisdom by Abbot George Burke (Swami Nirmalananda Giri) is the first of a series of new books from Light of the Spirit Monastery in Cedar Crest, New Mexico.
The Dhammapada for Awakening explores the Buddha's answers to the urgent questions, such as "How can I find find lasting peace, happiness and fulfillment that seems so elusive?" and "What can I do to avoid many of the miseries big and small that afflict all of us?".
Drawing on the proven wisdom of different ancient traditions, and the contemporary masters of spiritual life, as well as his own studies and first-hand knowledge of the mystical traditions of East and West, to Abbot George illumines the practical wisdom of Buddha in the Dhammapada - and more importantly, and make thatmakes that teaching relevant to present day spiritual seekers.
The Dhammapada is the first collection of Gautama Buddha's practical teachings for those seeking Nirvana, compiled only three months after his passing away by his enlightened disciples, who named it Dhammapada: The Way of Dharma. It is a distillation of forty-five years of the Buddha's teaching.
Abbot George says of the Dhammapada, "Over and over in the teachings of Buddha we find that he is giving us only that which can be applied in our daily lives in order to fit ourselves for freedom from all that binds us."
In The Dhammapada for Awakening the reader will learn:
• An esoteric understanding of the mind and how to deal with it.
• How we create our destinies by our thoughts and actions, and how we can use that knowledge to shape a better present and future for ourselves.
• What are the obstacles to reaching our full potential, and how we can avoid them.
Whether a person is Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, simply spiritual, or merely discontent with the status quo of their lives, the universal spiritual principles in The Dhammapada for Awakening will prove helpful in empowering seekers to tread the path to Freedom, that they may become finders.
The Dhammapada for Awakening explores the Buddha's answers to the urgent questions, such as "How can I find find lasting peace, happiness and fulfillment that seems so elusive?" and "What can I do to avoid many of the miseries big and small that afflict all of us?".
Drawing on the proven wisdom of different ancient traditions, and the contemporary masters of spiritual life, as well as his own studies and first-hand knowledge of the mystical traditions of East and West, to Abbot George illumines the practical wisdom of Buddha in the Dhammapada - and more importantly, and make thatmakes that teaching relevant to present day spiritual seekers.
The Dhammapada is the first collection of Gautama Buddha's practical teachings for those seeking Nirvana, compiled only three months after his passing away by his enlightened disciples, who named it Dhammapada: The Way of Dharma. It is a distillation of forty-five years of the Buddha's teaching.
Abbot George says of the Dhammapada, "Over and over in the teachings of Buddha we find that he is giving us only that which can be applied in our daily lives in order to fit ourselves for freedom from all that binds us."
In The Dhammapada for Awakening the reader will learn:
• An esoteric understanding of the mind and how to deal with it.
• How we create our destinies by our thoughts and actions, and how we can use that knowledge to shape a better present and future for ourselves.
• What are the obstacles to reaching our full potential, and how we can avoid them.
Whether a person is Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, simply spiritual, or merely discontent with the status quo of their lives, the universal spiritual principles in The Dhammapada for Awakening will prove helpful in empowering seekers to tread the path to Freedom, that they may become finders.
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 6, 2014
28 people are currently reading
345 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 24, 2014
In this compelling book, Abbot George Burke brings his considerable knowledge and background in Christian teachings and the Vedic tradition to convey a practical understanding of the teachings of the Buddha.
Having come originally from a Christian background and adopting Vedanta as my path, I appreciate the parallels and comparisons he draws to the Bhagavad Gita and the Holy Bible. Not surprisingly there are many similar or even identical teachings with the Bhagavad Gita since Buddha himself grew up and studied with the sadhus and sages in India.
To illustrate some of the teachings and make them more real to us Abbot Burke uses examples drawn from his personal experience.
The Dhammapada for Awakening is aptly titled. The author gives us the full impact of these teachings, as the Buddha intended, and does not gloss anything over. To illustrate, here’s an excerpt:
“Occasions of hatred are certainly never settled by hatred. They are settled by freedom from hatred. This is the eternal law.” (Dhammapada 5).
[Abbott Burke’s comment]…That is the nature of the world. It is the violent ward of the lunatic asylum we call the universe. Everyone here is either an active or a recovering homicidal maniac. This is the truth.
This is a book you’ll want to take your time to read and keep as reference to reread. Highly recommended for earnest spiritual aspirants, especially those who may need a prod to keep them moving forward.
Having come originally from a Christian background and adopting Vedanta as my path, I appreciate the parallels and comparisons he draws to the Bhagavad Gita and the Holy Bible. Not surprisingly there are many similar or even identical teachings with the Bhagavad Gita since Buddha himself grew up and studied with the sadhus and sages in India.
To illustrate some of the teachings and make them more real to us Abbot Burke uses examples drawn from his personal experience.
The Dhammapada for Awakening is aptly titled. The author gives us the full impact of these teachings, as the Buddha intended, and does not gloss anything over. To illustrate, here’s an excerpt:
“Occasions of hatred are certainly never settled by hatred. They are settled by freedom from hatred. This is the eternal law.” (Dhammapada 5).
[Abbott Burke’s comment]…That is the nature of the world. It is the violent ward of the lunatic asylum we call the universe. Everyone here is either an active or a recovering homicidal maniac. This is the truth.
This is a book you’ll want to take your time to read and keep as reference to reread. Highly recommended for earnest spiritual aspirants, especially those who may need a prod to keep them moving forward.
August 24, 2020
This book was incredibly detailed yet really easy to digest.
There was A LOT of information to take in with this book. I'm new to Buddhism - only really been studying and developing my knowledge for 6 months or so. This book is great for newbies to the world of Buddhism and the teachings of the Buddha as it's so brilliantly written. It is one of the best books I have read on the Buddhism way of life.
It is written in a way that is easy to understand, but I did have to read this relatively slowly to take it all in.
I like the way the it was broken down into chapters reflecting different aspects - so I think it would be a good book to dip in and out of and use for reference as and when you need it.
I also like the fact that it has a glossary at the end - a lot of words within Buddhism are traditional sanskrit and so the glossary was very helpful.
The only thing I would have liked to have included was how to pronounce those sanskrit traditional words. Its all well and good to understand what they mean, but it would have been even better if it could have been explained how they are said/pronounced.
Overall I did enjoy this book, there is a lot to take in, and I did have to go through slowly because of that fact. However, it is written in a way that is easy to understand and is incredibly engaging. Perfect for a beginner to the faith like me!
There was A LOT of information to take in with this book. I'm new to Buddhism - only really been studying and developing my knowledge for 6 months or so. This book is great for newbies to the world of Buddhism and the teachings of the Buddha as it's so brilliantly written. It is one of the best books I have read on the Buddhism way of life.
It is written in a way that is easy to understand, but I did have to read this relatively slowly to take it all in.
I like the way the it was broken down into chapters reflecting different aspects - so I think it would be a good book to dip in and out of and use for reference as and when you need it.
I also like the fact that it has a glossary at the end - a lot of words within Buddhism are traditional sanskrit and so the glossary was very helpful.
The only thing I would have liked to have included was how to pronounce those sanskrit traditional words. Its all well and good to understand what they mean, but it would have been even better if it could have been explained how they are said/pronounced.
Overall I did enjoy this book, there is a lot to take in, and I did have to go through slowly because of that fact. However, it is written in a way that is easy to understand and is incredibly engaging. Perfect for a beginner to the faith like me!
July 11, 2014
This book is truly helpful for spiritual aspirants, helping them stand on their own feet by teaching the principles of independence and responsibility. With examples from modern practitioners of inner life, the author makes the reader understand that the principles written about still apply, and can still be effective.
I find the author's commentary on Buddha's teaching to be thoroughly practical, rather than academic. For those who wish to wish to lead a spiritual life that produces results, this book is a real help.
I find the author's commentary on Buddha's teaching to be thoroughly practical, rather than academic. For those who wish to wish to lead a spiritual life that produces results, this book is a real help.
August 16, 2020
This book is interesting as it mixes the authors personal experiences and other religions to explain the Bhagavad Gita (referencing and drawing parallels with the Bible). Having read the book I feel it will probably be a book I will dip in and out of again when searching for wisdom.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews