Buddhism
Peace
Within the paradigm of the Nation of Gods and Earths we hold two views of ‘Buddhism’ that differs from the WESTERN mainstream:
-We hold that what is now known as Buddhism has been corrupted to become a religion focused on the person of the Buddha (which is a title) known as Siddautha. In its original form it is primarily a way of life.
-We hold that Buddhism PREDATED Hinduism. Though this is not a popular notion in the West it is a notion that is often presented in the East
With the above being said these are two great books that address each topic. The second book I had to order straight from India.
> Buddhism without Beliefs: A Contemporary Guide to Awakening
ANNOTATION
This concise and beautiful book demystifies Buddhism by explaining, without jargon or obscure terminology, what awakening is and how to practice it. What Buddha taught, says Stephen Batchelor, is not something to believe in but something to do...something that can be practiced every day.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Those with an interest in Buddhism will welcome this new book by Stephen Batchelor, former monk and author of Alone With Others and The Awakening of the West. But those who are just discovering this increasingly popular practice will have much to gain as well-for Buddhism Without Beliefs serves as a solid, straightforward introduction that demystifies Buddhism and explains simply and plainly how its practice can enrich our lives. Avoiding jargon and theory, Batchelor concentrates on the concrete, making Buddhism accessible and compelling and showing how anyone can embark on this path-regardless of their religious background.
FROM THE CRITICS
Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi
[A]n intelligent and eloquent attempt to...define the parameters for a style of "dharma practice" appropriate to the new situation....In my viewwhat we require is a clear articulation of the essential principles taught by the Buddha himself in all their breadth and profundity.The challenge...is to express these principles in a living language that addresses the deep crises of our time. —Journal of Buddhist Ethics
Publishers Weekly
Batchelor's latest concise volume explores the practical fundamentals of Buddhism and how they can be relevant to both religious and secular-minded Westerners. Batchelor makes several controversial, but thoughtfully argued, points central to his "existential, therapeutic" and agnostic interpretation of Buddhism: that Buddhism is not strictly a religion, since it does not adhere to a belief in God; that the Buddha did not consider himself a mystic or savior, but a healer; and that Buddhismis less a "belief system" than a personal "course of action" that naturally instills morality, compassion and inner peace in the practitioner. Though he is a former monk in both the Zen and Tibetan traditions, Batchelor is now associated with a nondenominational Buddhist community in England. He deliberately eschews elitist, monastic Buddhist traditions, which often make enlightenment appear all but impossible to attain. Throughout, simple meditation exercises acquaint readers with Buddhist principles that illuminate "the nature of the human dilemma and a way to its resolution."
> Buddhism : The Religion of Mohenjodaro and Harappa Cities/Swapan Kumar Biswas. 1999, 390 p.,
Contents: 1. Discovery of India. 2. Buddhism hijacked by Hinduism. 3. Indian Assura civilization before the Aryan intruders. 4. Siddhartha initiated by a former Buddha. 5. Former Buddhas and archaeological evidences. 6. The Maiden Crusade and destruction of Buddhism. 7. Revival of Buddhism by Shakya Singha Gautama. 8. Philosophy of Gautama Buddha. 9. The schools of Indian philosophy Pre Aryan. 10. Internationalisation of Buddhism by Asoka the Great. 11. Decline and fall of Buddhism in India. 12. Revival of Buddhism in modern age. Index.
"This unique work is abound with information and original thought about the roots of ethnic, cultural and religious history of the people of India. It is a book on the history of Buddhism, the religion of millenniums. Buddhism of unknown antiquity, Buddhism of the present day and Buddhism of the future world has been narrated in the book. The author has made a deep research on the religion of India during the period of Mohenjodaro-Harappa metropolis. Swami Vivekananda's point that the nomad Aryans invaded India has been very convincingly established in the book with required and sound evidences. During 1600 to 1500 B.C. the Aryans destroyed not only the opulent urban centers and highly advanced economic structure of ancient civilization of the Indian Assura race but also annihilated the religion of Pre-Vedic period, which was correspondingly rich to the material development of the contemporary society." (jacket)
Within the paradigm of the Nation of Gods and Earths we hold two views of ‘Buddhism’ that differs from the WESTERN mainstream:
-We hold that what is now known as Buddhism has been corrupted to become a religion focused on the person of the Buddha (which is a title) known as Siddautha. In its original form it is primarily a way of life.
-We hold that Buddhism PREDATED Hinduism. Though this is not a popular notion in the West it is a notion that is often presented in the East
With the above being said these are two great books that address each topic. The second book I had to order straight from India.
> Buddhism without Beliefs: A Contemporary Guide to Awakening
ANNOTATION
This concise and beautiful book demystifies Buddhism by explaining, without jargon or obscure terminology, what awakening is and how to practice it. What Buddha taught, says Stephen Batchelor, is not something to believe in but something to do...something that can be practiced every day.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Those with an interest in Buddhism will welcome this new book by Stephen Batchelor, former monk and author of Alone With Others and The Awakening of the West. But those who are just discovering this increasingly popular practice will have much to gain as well-for Buddhism Without Beliefs serves as a solid, straightforward introduction that demystifies Buddhism and explains simply and plainly how its practice can enrich our lives. Avoiding jargon and theory, Batchelor concentrates on the concrete, making Buddhism accessible and compelling and showing how anyone can embark on this path-regardless of their religious background.
FROM THE CRITICS
Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi
[A]n intelligent and eloquent attempt to...define the parameters for a style of "dharma practice" appropriate to the new situation....In my viewwhat we require is a clear articulation of the essential principles taught by the Buddha himself in all their breadth and profundity.The challenge...is to express these principles in a living language that addresses the deep crises of our time. —Journal of Buddhist Ethics
Publishers Weekly
Batchelor's latest concise volume explores the practical fundamentals of Buddhism and how they can be relevant to both religious and secular-minded Westerners. Batchelor makes several controversial, but thoughtfully argued, points central to his "existential, therapeutic" and agnostic interpretation of Buddhism: that Buddhism is not strictly a religion, since it does not adhere to a belief in God; that the Buddha did not consider himself a mystic or savior, but a healer; and that Buddhismis less a "belief system" than a personal "course of action" that naturally instills morality, compassion and inner peace in the practitioner. Though he is a former monk in both the Zen and Tibetan traditions, Batchelor is now associated with a nondenominational Buddhist community in England. He deliberately eschews elitist, monastic Buddhist traditions, which often make enlightenment appear all but impossible to attain. Throughout, simple meditation exercises acquaint readers with Buddhist principles that illuminate "the nature of the human dilemma and a way to its resolution."
> Buddhism : The Religion of Mohenjodaro and Harappa Cities/Swapan Kumar Biswas. 1999, 390 p.,
Contents: 1. Discovery of India. 2. Buddhism hijacked by Hinduism. 3. Indian Assura civilization before the Aryan intruders. 4. Siddhartha initiated by a former Buddha. 5. Former Buddhas and archaeological evidences. 6. The Maiden Crusade and destruction of Buddhism. 7. Revival of Buddhism by Shakya Singha Gautama. 8. Philosophy of Gautama Buddha. 9. The schools of Indian philosophy Pre Aryan. 10. Internationalisation of Buddhism by Asoka the Great. 11. Decline and fall of Buddhism in India. 12. Revival of Buddhism in modern age. Index.
"This unique work is abound with information and original thought about the roots of ethnic, cultural and religious history of the people of India. It is a book on the history of Buddhism, the religion of millenniums. Buddhism of unknown antiquity, Buddhism of the present day and Buddhism of the future world has been narrated in the book. The author has made a deep research on the religion of India during the period of Mohenjodaro-Harappa metropolis. Swami Vivekananda's point that the nomad Aryans invaded India has been very convincingly established in the book with required and sound evidences. During 1600 to 1500 B.C. the Aryans destroyed not only the opulent urban centers and highly advanced economic structure of ancient civilization of the Indian Assura race but also annihilated the religion of Pre-Vedic period, which was correspondingly rich to the material development of the contemporary society." (jacket)
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