Simple Buddhism: A Guide to Enlightened Living PDF
Preview Simple Buddhism: A Guide to Enlightened Living
SIMPLE BUDDHISM A Guide to Enlightened Living SIMPLE BUDDHISM A Guide to Enlightened Living C. Alexander Simpkins Ph.D. • Annellen Simpkins Ph.D. Tuttle Publishing Boston • Rutland, Vermont • Tokyo First published in 2000 by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd, with editorial offices at 364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759 U.S.A. Copyright © 2000 by C. Alexander Simpkins and Annellen Simpkins All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from Tuttle Publishing. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN—PUBLICATION DATA WILL BE FOUND AT THE END OF THIS BOOK. ISBN: 978-1-4629-1735-8 (ebook) Distributed by USA Tuttle Publishing USA 364 Innovation Drive North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436 Tel 1 (802) 773 8930 Fax 1 (802) 773 6993 06 05 04 03 02 01 00 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Printed in the United States of America We dedicate this book to our parents, Carmen and Nathaniel Simpkins and Naomi and Herbert Minkin, and to our children, Alura L. Simpkins and C. Alexander Simpkins Jr., and to all the true bodhisattvas whose compassionate actions have helped improve our world. Carmen Z. Simpkins’ abstract expressionist paintings suggest mood, movement, and mysticism. Simpkins has been painting for seventy-five years. Her first solo show took place in Camden, Maine, in 1962 at the Broadlawn Gallery. She has exhibited throughout the world, and her works are in private collections in Europe and America. She continues to display her work at her galleries in Sebastian, Florida and Clinton, South Carolina. CONTENT Introduction PART I: BUDDHISM IN TIME 1: The Founder Plants the Seeds 2: Buddhism Takes Root 3: The Blossom of Mahayana 4: Branching Out 5: Flowers from Buddha’s Garden PART II: BUDDHIST THEMES 6: The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path 7: Buddhist Psychology: Awakening from the Dream 8: Nirvana: A New Experience 9: The Bodhisattva Way: Life Is Good PART III: LIVING BUDDHISM 10: Meditation: Beginning with Your Own Mind 11: Paradise Now: Action Is Thought 12: Mindful Work 13: Enlightenment Through Art 14: Psychotherapy: The Path that Heals Conclusion Time Line Bibliography INTRODUCTION Buddhism is a philosophy that offers a different way to be happy. Everyday life can be filled with frustration and difficulties. And while we may experience pleasures and satisfactions at times, they rarely last. Buddhism helps people overcome this human condition to find true happiness. Called enlightenment by Buddhists, this happiness is a transformation that takes place within, and is followed by deep calm, clarity of perception, and a feeling of compassion for others. Everyone has the ability to change, because, according to Buddhism, enlightenment is already there, it’s just lying dormant and unrecognized. Buddhism offers a clear method to follow, which it calls the Middle Path. This path brings wisdom and understanding of the source of problems, enabling us to gain control of our thoughts and actions. When this happens, we can recognize things just as they are and understand how we are a part of the whole. When we step out of the shadows of illusion, there is nothing in the way of positive accomplishments or of being who we are. From this new perspective, we can endure and transcend—and live an enlightened life. ABOUT SIMPLE BUDDHISM This book is designed to help you understand and use Buddhism as a means of inner transformation. The book is divided into three parts. Part I gives the background and development of Buddhism, to introduce you to the ideas. Part II explains key themes, guiding you along the path to becoming wiser and more compassionate. Part III shows how to meditate the Buddhist way and then how to apply these abilities to everyday life. You may choose to apply personally relevant Buddhist concepts to your life, or you may decide to follow the path more deeply and comprehensively. Start with where you are. However you decide to integrate Buddhism into your life, let it open your potential to become the best person you can be. HOW TO USE THIS BOOK Meditate regularly and think carefully about the ideas presented here—this is the basis for discovering Buddhism for yourself. Deep contemplation will help you understand Buddhist concepts better. Buddhism is not just a set of concepts or a theory to learn; it is something you must discover for yourself through your own experience. We encourage you to do the exercises. Read through the directions once or twice, then set the book aside and try them. Give yourself time to reflect on the new ideas and skills as you find ways to integrate them into your life. Be patient with the process: The journey of self-discovery may have its ups and downs, but with an open attitude, you will discover your own enlightenment! PART I Buddhism in Time A vision awakens us From the depths of ancient history Buddha’s enlightenment Dispels the shadows of mystery —C. Alexander Simpkins Buddhist philosophy spans twenty-five centuries, with millions of adherents throughout the world. The journey began in a shadowy past, before recorded history, when a legendary man named Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, through dedicated effort and commitment to all human beings, made a wondrous discovery: that life can be good, and so can we. As you follow the evolution, the veil over these shadowy beginnings lifts, revealing a brightly lit pathway of inner discovery, open for all to walk. CHAPTER 1 The Founder Plants the Seeds Be a lamp unto yourself. —Buddha EARLY YEARS Buddhism can be traced back to one man, known to the world as the Buddha, “The Awakened One” (563-483 B.C.). He began his evolution as Siddhartha Gautama, a member of the Sakya clan of a small republic in northern India.
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