Leaders Of Buddhism

Leaders of Buddhism: A Journey Through the Lineage of Enlightenment

Introduction:

Buddhism, a religion and philosophy with over 2,500 years of history, boasts a rich tapestry of influential figures who shaped its doctrines, spread its teachings, and inspired millions. From the historical Buddha himself to contemporary teachers and activists, understanding the leaders of Buddhism is key to understanding the religion's evolution and ongoing impact. This comprehensive guide delves into the key figures who have guided the Buddhist path, exploring their contributions and the lasting legacies they left behind. We'll examine their diverse approaches, the schools of thought they established, and the challenges they faced in disseminating their message across continents and cultures. Prepare to embark on a fascinating journey through the lineage of enlightenment, discovering the individuals who have profoundly shaped the Buddhist world.


I. The Historical Buddha: Siddhartha Gautama

Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, remains the central figure in Buddhism. His life, teachings, and enlightenment form the foundation of all Buddhist traditions.

Early Life and Awakening: Born into a royal family, Siddhartha experienced sheltered life until encountering suffering, leading him to renounce his privileged existence and embark on a spiritual quest. His rigorous meditation and self-discipline culminated in his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, marking the beginning of his teaching career.
The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path: The Buddha's core teachings, summarized in the Four Noble Truths (suffering exists, suffering has a cause, suffering can cease, and there is a path to the cessation of suffering), offer a framework for understanding the nature of reality and achieving liberation. The Eightfold Path outlines the practical steps to follow towards this goal.
The Spread of Early Buddhism: After his enlightenment, the Buddha spent decades teaching and establishing the Sangha, a community of monks and nuns dedicated to the practice and propagation of his teachings. His teachings spread throughout India, laying the groundwork for the various Buddhist schools that would emerge later.


II. Key Figures in the Development of Early Buddhist Schools:

The immediate followers of the Buddha and subsequent generations played a crucial role in codifying and interpreting his teachings, leading to the development of various schools of Buddhism.

Mahakasyapa: Often considered the first patriarch of Buddhism, Mahakasyapa was a close disciple of the Buddha, receiving the mantle of transmitting the Dharma (Buddhist teachings).
Ananda: Ananda, the Buddha's cousin and attendant, possessed an exceptional memory and played a crucial role in preserving and transmitting the Buddha's teachings after his passing. The early Buddhist canon is largely attributed to his efforts.
Nagarjuna: A pivotal figure in Mahayana Buddhism, Nagarjuna (c. 150 – 250 CE) significantly advanced Buddhist philosophy, particularly through his work on Madhyamaka (Middle Way) philosophy, which emphasized emptiness (sunyata) as the fundamental nature of reality.
Asanga and Vasubandhu: These brothers were highly influential figures in Yogacara (Mind-Only) school of Mahayana Buddhism, emphasizing the importance of mental cultivation and the transformative power of consciousness.


III. The Rise of Mahayana and its Key Leaders:

Mahayana Buddhism, meaning "Great Vehicle," emerged as a distinct school emphasizing the Bodhisattva ideal—the aspiration to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.

Bodhidharma: Often credited with transmitting Buddhism to China, Bodhidharma is a legendary figure whose teachings emphasized meditation (Zen) and self-cultivation. His legacy profoundly impacted the development of Chan Buddhism (Zen Buddhism in Japan).
Hui Neng: The sixth patriarch of Chan Buddhism in China, Hui Neng (638-713 CE) emphasized the importance of direct experience and intuitive understanding over scriptural study. His teachings emphasized simplicity and accessibility in the pursuit of enlightenment.


IV. The Spread of Buddhism to Tibet and its Leading Lamas:

Tibetan Buddhism, a unique branch of Mahayana, flourished in Tibet, incorporating elements of tantric practices and developing a rich monastic tradition.

Padmasambhava: Known as Guru Rinpoche ("Precious Teacher"), Padmasambhava (8th century CE) is credited with introducing Buddhism to Tibet. His teachings and practices greatly influenced the development of Tibetan Buddhism.
Tsongkhapa: Founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism (the school of the Dalai Lamas), Tsongkhapa (1357-1419 CE) emphasized a rigorous monastic discipline and a systematic approach to Buddhist study.


V. Contemporary Buddhist Leaders and their Impact:

In the modern era, several influential Buddhist leaders have adapted Buddhist teachings to contemporary challenges and spread the message of peace and compassion globally.

The Dalai Lama: The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is a globally recognized spiritual leader who advocates for peace, compassion, and interfaith dialogue. His teachings have reached a vast audience through books, lectures, and public appearances.
Thich Nhat Hanh: A Vietnamese Zen master, Thich Nhat Hanh (1926-2022) championed engaged Buddhism, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness in daily life and applying Buddhist principles to social justice issues.
Ajahn Chah: A highly influential Thai forest monk, Ajahn Chah (1918-1992) emphasized the importance of simplicity, mindfulness, and direct experience in the Buddhist path.


VI. Conclusion:

The lineage of Buddhist leaders extends across centuries and continents, encompassing a diverse array of individuals who have shaped the trajectory of this ancient religion. From the historical Buddha's foundational teachings to the contemporary efforts of global leaders, the constant thread remains the pursuit of enlightenment and the alleviation of suffering. By studying these key figures and their contributions, we gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and complexity of Buddhism and its enduring relevance in the modern world.


Article Outline:

Introduction: Briefly introduce the topic of leaders in Buddhism and the scope of the article.
Chapter 1: The Historical Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama): Detail his life, teachings, and impact on the development of Buddhism.
Chapter 2: Key Figures in Early Buddhist Schools: Discuss significant figures who helped to codify and interpret the Buddha's teachings.
Chapter 3: The Rise of Mahayana Buddhism and its Leaders: Explore the emergence of Mahayana and the prominent figures who shaped its development.
Chapter 4: The Spread of Buddhism to Tibet and its Lamas: Examine the development of Tibetan Buddhism and its influential leaders.
Chapter 5: Contemporary Buddhist Leaders and their Impact: Highlight the roles of influential modern-day Buddhist leaders.
Conclusion: Summarize the key takeaways and the lasting impact of these influential leaders.


(The body of the article above fulfills the outline provided.)


FAQs:

1. Who is considered the founder of Buddhism? Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, is considered the founder.
2. What are the main branches of Buddhism? Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana are the main branches.
3. What is the difference between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism? Theravada emphasizes individual enlightenment, while Mahayana emphasizes the Bodhisattva ideal of working for the enlightenment of all beings.
4. Who was Bodhidharma, and what is his significance? A legendary figure credited with transmitting Buddhism to China, laying the foundation for Zen Buddhism.
5. What is the role of the Dalai Lama? The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and a prominent advocate for peace and compassion.
6. Who was Thich Nhat Hanh? A Vietnamese Zen master known for his teachings on mindfulness and engaged Buddhism.
7. What is the significance of Nagarjuna in Buddhist philosophy? He developed Madhyamaka (Middle Way) philosophy, emphasizing the concept of emptiness (sunyata).
8. What are the key teachings of the Buddha? The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path form the core of Buddhist teachings.
9. How has Buddhism adapted to modern society? Contemporary leaders have adapted Buddhist principles to address modern challenges, emphasizing mindfulness, social justice, and interfaith dialogue.


Related Articles:

1. The Four Noble Truths: Understanding Buddhist Core Teachings: Explains the central tenets of Buddhist philosophy.
2. The Eightfold Path: A Practical Guide to Buddhist Practice: Details the steps involved in achieving enlightenment.
3. Understanding the Concept of Karma in Buddhism: Explores the law of cause and effect in Buddhist thought.
4. Meditation Techniques in Buddhism: A Comprehensive Guide: Explores various meditation methods used in Buddhist practice.
5. The Life and Teachings of the Dalai Lama: A biography focusing on the 14th Dalai Lama's life and work.
6. The History and Development of Zen Buddhism: Traces the history and evolution of Zen Buddhism.
7. Tibetan Buddhism: A Deep Dive into its Traditions and Practices: Explores the unique aspects of Tibetan Buddhism.
8. Mindfulness in Daily Life: Applying Buddhist Principles to Modern Challenges: Explains how to incorporate mindfulness into daily life.
9. Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist Principles and Social Action: Explores the intersection of Buddhist teachings and social justice.


  leaders of buddhism: Servant Leadership, Social Entrepreneurship and the Will to Serve Luk Bouckaert, Steven C. van den Heuvel, 2019-11-28 This book brings together a number of important essays on the intersection of servant leadership and social entrepreneurship, examining them through a shared focus on ‘the will to serve’. This combination bears out the insight that inspiring social and economic leaders are able to transform a conflictual human settlement into a collaborative and caring human community. The book seeks to answer the question of whether we can induce from their ‘way of doing things’ a model of civic entrepreneurship and leadership that can inspire people in profit, non-profit and public organizations. It also examines the extent to which the will to serve is compatible with the will to maximize profit or the will to gain economic, political or religious power. Furthermore, it asks how far different spiritual traditions create different models and examples of servant leadership and social entrepreneurship. This book will be of interest to researchers working in the fields of business ethics, business spirituality and corporate social responsibility.
  leaders of buddhism: The Noble Eightfold Path Bhikkhu Bodhi, 2010-12-01 The Buddha's teachings center around two basic principles. One is the Four Noble Truths, in which the Buddha diagnoses the problem of suffering and indicates the treatment necessary to remedy this problem. The other is the Noble Eightfold Path, the practical discipline he prescribes to uproot and eliminate the deep underlying causes of suffering. The present book offers, in simple and clear language, a concise yet thorough explanation of the Eightfold Path. Basing himself solidly upon the Buddha's own words, the author examines each factor of the path to determine exactly what it implies in the way of practical training. Finally, in the concluding chapter, he shows how all eight factors of the path function in unison to bring about the realization of the Buddhist goal: enlightenment and liberation.
  leaders of buddhism: The Buddha and Buddhism Kerena Marchant, 2005-01-01 An introduction to the life of the Indian Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who founded Buddhism in about 531 B.C. and became known as Buddha.
  leaders of buddhism: Compassionate Leadership Rasmus Hougaard, Jacqueline Carter, 2022-01-18 Leadership is hard. How can you balance compassion for your people with effectiveness in getting the job done? A global pandemic, economic volatility, natural disasters, civil and political unrest. From New York to Barcelona to Hong Kong, it can feel as if the world as we know it is coming apart. Through it all, our human spirit is being tested. Now more than ever, it's imperative for leaders to demonstrate compassion. But in hard times like these, leaders need to make hard decisions—deliver negative feedback, make difficult choices that disappoint people, and in some cases lay people off. How do you do the hard things that come with the responsibility of leadership while remaining a good human being and bringing out the best in others? Most people think we have to make a binary choice between being a good human being and being a tough, effective leader. But this is a false dichotomy. Being human and doing what needs to be done are not mutually exclusive. In truth, doing hard things and making difficult decisions is often the most compassionate thing to do. As founder and CEO of Potential Project, Rasmus Hougaard and his longtime coauthor, Jacqueline Carter, show in this powerful, practical book, you must always balance caring for your people with leadership wisdom and effectiveness. Using data from thousands of leaders, employees, and companies in nearly a hundred countries, the authors find that when leaders bring the right balance of compassion and wisdom to the job, they foster much higher levels of employee engagement, performance, loyalty, and well-being in their people. With rich examples from Netflix, IKEA, Unilever, and many other global companies, as well as practical tools and advice for leaders and managers at any level, Compassionate Leadership is your indispensable guide to doing the hard work of leadership in a human way.
  leaders of buddhism: The Leader's Way His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Laurens van den Muyzenberg, 2009-07-21 Born out of a decade of discussion between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and international management consultant Laurens van den Muyzenberg, The Leader’s Way is the unique meeting of two worlds: the global business landscape and Buddhism. At first sight, these seem to be an unlikely pairing. After a closer look, however, the best business practices and Buddhist principles in fact have much in common; both are concerned with making rational, holistic decisions and turning them into responsible, effective action. Indeed, the teachings of Buddhism have much to offer business leaders. The world today faces many unique challenges: the worst global recession in over seventy-five years, with millions out of jobs and entire economies in a tailspin; billions of people living in abject poverty; the imminent threat of an environmental meltdown. Even prosperous businesses and leaders feel insecure about the future. A new kind of leadership is needed–one that sees events as they really are and understands the interconnectedness, impermanence, and interdependence of individuals, companies, and the global economic system. Through fascinating insights and day-to-day examples, His Holiness the Dalai Lama offers practical tools and advice on how to lead in our twenty-first-century world. Drawing on the wise teachings of Buddhism, he says, we can become better, more informed leaders as individuals, achieve more progressive leadership in our organizations, and help address some of the world’s most pressing problems. Moreover, we can improve the quality of life for all by promoting responsible, ethical, and profitable business practices. That is the leader’s way. A rewarding, surprising view into the life and thoughts of one of the world’s most inspiring leaders, The Leader’s Way provides a powerful manifesto for leading change at every level–in our lives, our organizations, and the wider world.
  leaders of buddhism: Black and Buddhist Cheryl A. Giles, Pamela Ayo Yetunde, 2020-12-08 Gold Nautilus Book Award Winner Leading African American Buddhist teachers offer lessons on racism, resilience, spiritual freedom, and the possibility of a truly representative American Buddhism. With contributions by Acharya Gaylon Ferguson, Cheryl A. Giles, Gyōzan Royce Andrew Johnson, Ruth King, Kamilah Majied, Lama Rod Owens, Lama Dawa Tarchin Phillips, Sebene Selassie, and Pamela Ayo Yetunde. What does it mean to be Black and Buddhist? In this powerful collection of writings, African American teachers from all the major Buddhist traditions tell their stories of how race and Buddhist practice have intersected in their lives. The resulting explorations display not only the promise of Buddhist teachings to empower those facing racial discrimination but also the way that Black Buddhist voices are enriching the Dharma for all practitioners. As the first anthology comprised solely of writings by African-descended Buddhist practitioners, this book is an important contribution to the development of the Dharma in the West.
  leaders of buddhism: Jizo Bodhisattva Jan Chozen Bays, Heng Sure, 2015-11-10 In Jizo Bodhisattva, Zen teacher and practicing pediatrician Jan Chozen Bays explores the development of traditional Buddhist practices related to Jizo, as well as the growing interest in Jizo practice in modern American Zen Buddhism. She also shows how you can incorporate this rich tradition into your own life, through meditations, mantras and chanting. In traditional Buddhist belief, a bodhisattva is an enlightened being who has forsaken entry into nirvana until all beings are saved. Jizo, one of the four great bodhisattvas of Mahayana Buddhism, is know as the Bodhisattva of the Greatest Vows. He is regarded as the protector of travelers—whether their journeys in the physical world, or in the spiritual reams. Jizo also has special significance for pregnant women and parents whose children have died.
  leaders of buddhism: Business and the Buddha Lloyd M. Field, 2007-11-28 All businesses want to do well, but can they also do good? Lloyd Field says yes, and moreover, no business can afford to focus simply on doing well. Increasingly, public assessment of a business's worth must take into account its consideration of shared human values. That doesn't mean a business can't or should not compete; it means that investing in efforts to build a better society can, on many levels, be an asset. In this book, Field lays out the guidelines for putting social responsibility, both corporate and individual, into practice without sacrificing profits. Drawing from traditional Buddhist teachings, Field shows how, with attention to ethics, skillful means, and corporate responsibility, entrepreneurs and decision-makers can achieve new levels of happiness and security both inside the company and out, while acting as a powerful force for positive global change.
  leaders of buddhism: The Competitive Buddha Jerry Lynch , 2021-06-29 Buddha Can Improve Your Sports Performance and Life “No other person has had more influence on my thirty-six years of coaching than Jerry Lynch.”—Missy Foote, Head women's lacrosse coach, Middlebury College #1 New Release in Coaching Hockey, Tennis The Competitive Buddha is about mastery, leadership, spirituality, and the Kobe Bryant Mamba Mentality. Discover how people from all parts of the world have brought together the Buddha and athletics for greater fun, enjoyment, and pleasure during their performances. Connect spirituality to sports. Learn what you need to keep, what you need to discard, and what you need to add to your mental, emotional, and spiritual skill set as an athlete, coach, leader, parent, CEO, or any other performer in life. Understand how Buddhism can help you to be better prepared for sports and life, and how sports and life can teach you about Buddhism. On the court, field, and beyond. Dr. Lynch is an avid runner and biker and he has coached athletes at the high school and AAU level. He earned his doctorate in psychology at Penn State University and has done extensive post-doctoral work in the area of philosophy, Taoist and Buddhist thought, comparative religions, leadership development, and performance enhancement. Dr. Jerry Lynch demonstrates how certain timeless core Buddha values inspire you to embrace and navigate unchartered waters and understand the Buddha-mind and the Kobe Bryant Mamba Mentality. Become a master coach of your own life. When it comes to leadership and coaching, The Competitive Buddha teaches how the best coaches today use the ancient methods for our modern times. Learn specific strategies and techniques for implementing this special way to guide and lead. The Competitive Buddha teaches: • Leadership Skills • How to use Buddhism as an approach to competition • How to master athletics and life Readers who enjoyed Win the Day, Mamba Mentality, or Relentless Optimism will love The Competitive Buddha.
  leaders of buddhism: Engaged Buddhism in the West Christopher S. Queen, 2012-11-12 Engaged Buddhism is founded on the belief that genuine spiritual practice requires an active involvement in society. Engaged Buddhism in the West illuminates the evolution of this new chapter in the Buddhist tradition - including its history, leadership, and teachings - and addresses issues such as violence and peace, race and gender, homelessness, prisons, and the environment. Eighteen new studies explore the activism of renowned leaders and organizations, such as Thich Nhat Hanh, Bernard Glassman, Joanna Macy, the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, and the Free Tibet Movement, and the emergence of a new Buddhism in North America, Europe, South Africa, and Australia.
  leaders of buddhism: Spiritual Advice for Buddhists and Christians Dalai Lama XIV Bstan-?dzin-rgya-mtsho, 1998-06-01 In the words of the Dalai Lama, the purpose of religion is not to build churches and elaborate temples, but to cultivate positive human qualities such as tolerance, generosity and love. This text contains the four talks given by the Dalai Lama when he attended a meeting of Buddhist and Christian monks at Gethsemani Abbey, Kentucky. The Dalai Lama shares his understanding of four major themes explored in the meeting: the practice of prayer and meditation in the spiritual life; the stages in the process of spiritual development; the role of the teacher and the community in the spiritual life; and the spiritual goals of personal and and societal transformation. In each talk the Dalai Lama expresses the basic principles of Tibetan Buddhism and shows how they are applicable to daily practice for all spiritual seekers, regardless of their religious affiliation.
  leaders of buddhism: Engaged Buddhism Christopher S. Queen, Sallie B. King, 1996-01-01 This is the first comprehensive coverage of socially and politically engaged Buddhism in Asia, presenting the historical development and institutional forms of engaged Buddhism in the light of traditional Buddhist conceptions of morality, interdependence, and liberation.
  leaders of buddhism: The Leader's Way Dalai Lama XIV Bstan-ʼdzin-rgya-mtsho, Laurens van den Muyzenberg, 2008 A very special book which applies a unique, holistic view to the world of business and leadership by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
  leaders of buddhism: The Little Book of Buddhism Dalai Lama, 2019 This jewel of a book offers the core teachings on Buddhism applicable in daily life from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This is a classic timeless collection of advice and teachings about the importance of love and compassion, individual responsibility and awareness of the problems in everyday life.
  leaders of buddhism: Setting Out on the Great Way Paul Maxwell Harrison, 2018 Setting Out on the Great Way brings together different perspectives on the origins and early history of Mahāyāna Buddhism and delves into selected aspects of its formative period. As the variety of the religion which conquered East Asia and also provided the matrix for the later development of Buddhist Tantra or Vajrayāna, Mahāyāna is regarded as one of the most significant forms of Buddhism, and its beginnings have long been the focus of intense scholarly attention and debate. The essays in this volume address the latest findings in the field, including contributions by younger researchers vigorously critiquing the reappraisal of the Mahāyāna carried out by scholars in the last decades of the 20th century and the different understanding of the movement which they produced. As the study of Buddhism as a whole reorients itself to embrace new methods and paradigms, while at the same time coming to terms with exciting new manuscript discoveries, our picture of the Mahāyāna continues to change. This volume presents the latest developments in this ongoing re-evaluation of one of Buddhism's most important historical expressions.
  leaders of buddhism: Tibetan Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction Matthew Kapstein, 2014 What does Tibetan Buddhism teach? Just what is the position of the Dalai Lama, and how will his succession be assured? This Very Short Introduction offers a brief account responding to these questions and more, in terms that are easily accessible to those who are curious to learn the most essential features of Tibetan Buddhist history, teachings, and practice.
  leaders of buddhism: Tibetan Buddhists in the Making of Modern China Gray Tuttle, 2005 Gray Tuttle reveals the surprising role Buddhism and Buddhist leaders played in the development of the modern Chinese state and in fostering relations between Tibet and China from the Republican period (1912-1949) to the early years of Communist rule. Tuttle offers new insights on the impact of modern ideas of nationalism, race, and religion in East Asia. He draws on previously unexamined archival and governmental materials, as well as personal memoirs of Chinese politicians and Buddhist monks, and ephemera from religious ceremonies.
  leaders of buddhism: Socially Engaged Buddhism Sallie B. King, 2009-01-19 Socially Engaged Buddhism is an introduction to the contemporary movement of Buddhists, East and West, who actively engage with the problems of the world—social, political, economic, and environmental—on the basis of Buddhist ideas, values, and spirituality. Sallie B. King, one of North America’s foremost experts on the subject, identifies in accessible language the philosophical and ethical thinking behind the movement and examines how key principles such as karma, the Four Noble Truths, interdependence, nonharmfulness, and nonjudgmentalism relate to social engagement. Many people believe that Buddhists focus exclusively on spiritual attainment. Professor King examines why Engaged Buddhists involve themselves with the problems of the world and how they reconcile this involvement with the Buddhist teaching of nonattachment from worldly things. Engaged Buddhists, she answers, point out that because the root of human suffering is in the mind, not the world, the pursuit of enlightenment does not require a turning away from the world. Working to reduce suffering in humans, living things, and the planet is integral to spiritual practice and leads to selflessness and compassion. Socially Engaged Buddhism is a sustained reflection on social action as a form of spirituality expressed in acts of compassion, grassroots empowerment, nonjudgmentalism, and nonviolence. It offers an inspiring example of how one might work for solutions to the troubles that threaten the peace and well being of our planet and its people.
  leaders of buddhism: The Dalai Lama's Little Book of Buddhism His Holiness the Dalai Lama, 2015-06-01 This little book contains the core teaching on Buddhism by the Dalai Lama. It includes thought-provoking quotations about the importance of love and compassion, and the need for individual responsibility, fuses ancient wisdom with an awareness of the problems of everyday life. In addition to containing the essence of Buddhism, this book offers practical wisdom for daily life. The goal of this small gift book is to improve the reader's state of mind and to discover the deep peace that exists within. Here are pithy reflections on the need to rid oneself of preoccupations with mundane concerns and to find refuge in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
  leaders of buddhism: Buddhism and Politics in Thailand Arnaud Dubus, 2018
  leaders of buddhism: Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior Chögyam Trungpa, 2009-12-01 The classic guide to enlightened living that first presented the Buddhist path of the warrior to a Western audience There is a basic human wisdom that can help solve the world’s problems. It doesn’t belong to any one culture or region or religious tradition—though it can be found in many of them throughout history. It’s what Chögyam Trungpa called the sacred path of the warrior. The sacred warrior conquers the world not through violence or aggression, but through gentleness, courage, and self-knowledge. The warrior discovers the basic goodness of human life and radiates that goodness out into the world for the peace and sanity of others. Interpreting the warrior's journey in contemporary terms, Trungpa shows that, in discovering the basic goodness of human life, the warrior learns to radiate that goodness out into the world for the peace and sanity of others. That’s what the Shambhala teachings are all about—and this is the book that has been presenting them to a wide and appreciative audience for more than twenty years.
  leaders of buddhism: Buddhism in America Richard Hughes Seager, 2012-07-03 Over the past half century in America, Buddhism has grown from a transplanted philosophy to a full-fledged religious movement, rich in its own practices, leaders, adherents, and institutions. Long favored as an essential guide to this history, Buddhism in America covers the three major groups that shape the tradition—an emerging Asian immigrant population, native-born converts, and old-line Asian American Buddhists—and their distinct, yet spiritually connected efforts to remake Buddhism in a Western context. This edition updates existing text and adds three new essays on contemporary developments in American Buddhism, particularly the aging of the baby boom population and its effect on American Buddhism's modern character. New material includes revised information on the full range of communities profiled in the first edition; an added study of a second generation of young, Euro-American leaders and teachers; an accessible look at the increasing importance of meditation and neurobiological research; and a provocative consideration of the mindfulness movement in American culture. The volume maintains its detailed account of South and East Asian influences on American Buddhist practices, as well as instances of interreligious dialogue, socially activist Buddhism, and complex gender roles within the community. Introductory chapters describe Buddhism's arrival in America with the nineteenth-century transcendentalists and rapid spread with the Beat poets of the 1950s. The volume now concludes with a frank assessment of the challenges and prospects of American Buddhism in the twenty-first century.
  leaders of buddhism: Women in Buddhism Diana Y. Paul, Frances Wilson, 1985-04-23 In seeking to explore the interrelationships between, and mutual influence of, varieties of sexual stereotypes and religious views of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, Women in Buddhism succeeds in drawing our attention to matters of philosophical importance. Paul examines the 'image' of women which arise in a number of Buddhist texts associated with Mahayana and finds that, while ideally the tradition purports to be egalitarian, in actual practice it often betrayed a strong misogynist prejudice. Sanskrit and Chinese texts are organized by theme and type, progressing from those which treat the traditionally orthodox and negative to those which set forth a positive consideration of soteriological paths for women. . . . In Women in Buddhism, Diana Paul may be forcing our consideration of the problem of female enlightenment. Thus the main purport and accomplishment of her scholarship is revolutionary.—Philosophy East and West
  leaders of buddhism: Progressive & Religious Robert Patrick Jones, 2008 In recent years, Americans have become frustrated with the troubled relationship between religion and politics: an exclusive claim on faith and values from the right and a radical divorce of faith from politics on the left. Now a new group of religious leaders is re-envisioning religion in public life and blazing a trail that goes beyond partisan politics to work for a more just and inclusive society. Progressive & Religious draws on nearly one hundred in-depth interviews with Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Buddhist leaders to tell the story of this dynamic, emerging movement. Robert P. Jones explains how progressive religious leaders are tapping the deep connections between religion and social justice to work on issues like poverty and workers' rights, the environment, health care, pluralism, and human rights.--BOOK JACKET.
  leaders of buddhism: The World of Tibetan Buddhism Dalai Lama XIV Bstan-ʼdzin-rgya-mtsho, 1995-03-03 A lucid and profound yet eminently readable introduction to [Tibetan Buddhism].--Library Journal
  leaders of buddhism: Tibetan Buddhism and Modern Physics Vic Mansfield, 2009-07-27 Tibetan Buddhism and Modern Physics: Toward a Union of Love and Knowledge addresses the complex issues of dialogue and collaboration between Buddhism and science, revealing connections and differences between the two. While assuming no technical background in Buddhism or physics, this book strongly responds to the Dalai Lama’s “heartfelt plea” for genuine collaboration between science and Buddhism. The Dalai Lama has written a foreword to the book and the Office of His Holiness will translate it into both Chinese and Tibetan. In a clear and engaging way, this book shows how the principle of emptiness, the philosophic heart of Tibetan Buddhism, connects intimately to quantum nonlocality and other foundational features of quantum mechanics. Detailed connections between emptiness, modern relativity, and the nature of time are also explored. For Tibetan Buddhists, the profound interconnectedness implied by emptiness demands the practice of universal compassion. Because of the powerful connections between emptiness and modern physics, the book argues that the interconnected worldview of modern physics also encourages universal compassion. Along with these harmonies, the book explores a significant conflict between quantum mechanics and Tibetan Buddhism concerning the role of causality. The book concludes with a response to the question: How does this expedition through the heart of modern physics and Tibetan Buddhism—from quantum mechanics, relativity, and cosmology, to emptiness, compassion, and disintegratedness—apply to today's painfully polarized world? Despite differences and questions raised, the book's central message is that there is a solid basis for uniting these worldviews. From this basis, the message of universal compassion can accompany the spread of the scientific worldview, stimulating compassionate action in the light of deep understanding—a true union of love and knowledge. Tibetan Buddhism and Modern Physics will appeal to a broad audience that includes general readers and undergraduate and graduate students in science and religion courses.
  leaders of buddhism: The Politics of Buddhist Organizations in Taiwan, 1989-2003 André Laliberté, 2013-08-21 Laliberté looks at a relatively unexplored aspect of modern Taiwan: the influence of religion on politics. This book offers a detailed survey of three of the most important Buddhist organizations in Taiwan: the Buddhist Association of the Republic of China (BAROC), the Buddha Light Mountain (or Foguanshan) monastic order, and the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Association (or Ciji). It examines their contrasting approaches to three issues: state supervision of religion, the first presidential election of 1996, and the establishment of the National Health Insurance. This study analyzes the factors that explain the diverse paths the three organizations have taken in the politics of Taiwan. Based on an in-depth examination of Buddhist leaders' behaviour, The Politics of Buddhist Organizations in Taiwan compels us to question conventional views about the allegedly passive aspect of religious tradition, deference to authority in societies influenced by Confucian culture and the adverse legacy of authoritarian regimes.
  leaders of buddhism: The Buddha Pill Miguel Farias, Dr. Catherine Wikholm, 2019-02-19 Millions of people meditate daily but can meditative practices really make us ‘better’ people? In The Buddha Pill, pioneering psychologists Dr Miguel Farias and Catherine Wikholm put meditation and mindfulness under the microscope. Separating fact from fiction, they reveal what scientific research – including their groundbreaking study on yoga and meditation with prisoners – tells us about the benefits and limitations of these techniques for improving our lives. As well as illuminating the potential, the authors argue that these practices may have unexpected consequences, and that peace and happiness may not always be the end result. Offering a compelling examination of research on transcendental meditation to recent brain-imaging studies on the effects of mindfulness and yoga, and with fascinating contributions from spiritual teachers and therapists, Farias and Wikholm weave together a unique story about the science and the delusions of personal change.
  leaders of buddhism: Buddhist Visions of the Good Life for All Sallie B. King, 2021-05-30 This book highlights what Buddhism has to offer for living well here and now—for individuals, society as a whole, all sentient beings and the planet itself. From the perspectives of a variety of Buddhist thinkers, the book evaluates what a good life is like, what is desirable for human society, and ways in which we should live in and with the natural world. By examining this-worldly Buddhist philosophy and movements in India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, the Tibetan diaspora, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and the United States, the book assesses what Buddhists offer for the building of a good society. It explores the proposals and programs made by progressive and widely influential lay and monastic thinkers and activists, as well as the works of movement leaders such as Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, for the social, economic, political and environmental systems in their various countries. Demonstrating that Buddhism is not solely a path for the realization of nirvana but also a way of living well here and now, this book will be of interest to researchers working on contemporary and modern Buddhism, Buddhism and society, Asian religion and Engaged Buddhism.
  leaders of buddhism: The Buddhist World of Southeast Asia Donald K. Swearer, 2012-02-01 An unparalleled portrait, Donald K. Swearer's Buddhist World of Southeast Asia has been a key source for all those interested in the Theravada homelands since the work's publication in 1995. Expanded and updated, the second edition offers this wide ranging account for readers at the beginning of the twenty-first century. Swearer shows Theravada Buddhism in Southeast Asia to be a dynamic, complex system of thought and practice embedded in the cultures, societies, and histories of Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka. The work focuses on three distinct yet interrelated aspects of this milieu. The first is the popular tradition of life models personified in myths and legends, rites of passage, festival celebrations, and ritual occasions. The second deals with Buddhism and the state, illustrating how King Asoka serves as the paradigmatic Buddhist monarch, discussing the relationship of cosmology and kingship, and detailing the rise of charismatic Buddhist political leaders in the postcolonial period. The third is the modern transformation of Buddhism: the changing roles of monks and laity, modern reform movements, the role of women, and Buddhism in the West.
  leaders of buddhism: Engaged Buddhist Reader Arnold Kotler, 1999-04-01 The Engaged Buddhist Reader is a collection of the most prominent voices of engaged Buddhism.
  leaders of buddhism: Buddhism Don Nardo, 2009 Dating back about 4,000 years, Judaism is the worlds oldest monotheistic religion, meaning its followers worship only one god. It began at a time when people worshiped many gods. The worlds Jews have maintained their strong traditions and intense faith, even under severe oppression. Learn more about the rich history and traditions of Judaism and how the religion fits into todays world in Judaism, part of the World Religions series.
  leaders of buddhism: An Introduction to Buddhism The Dalai Lama, 2018-07-17 His Holiness the Dalai Lama presents the perfect introduction to traditional Tibetan Buddhist thought and practice, covering the Four Noble Truths and two essential texts. There is no one more suited to introduce beginners—and remind seasoned practitioners—of the fundamentals of Tibetan Buddhism than His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Speaking to an audience of Western students, the Dalai Lama shows us how to apply basic Buddhist principles to our day-to-day lives. Starting with the very foundation of Buddhism, the Four Noble Truths, he provides the framework for understanding the Buddha’s first teachings on suffering, happiness, and peace. He follows with commentary on two of Buddhism’s most profound texts: The Eight Verses on Training the Mind and Atisha’s Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment, often referring to the former as one of his main sources of inspiration for the practice of compassion. With clear, accessible language and the familiar sense of humor that infuses nearly all of his work, the Dalai Lama invites us all to develop innermost awareness, a proper understanding of the nature of reality, and heartfelt compassion for all beings. This book was previously published under the title Lighting the Way.
  leaders of buddhism: Dakini Power Michaela Haas, 2013-04-09 Pema Chödrön, Joan Halifax, and ten other female Tibetan Buddhist teachers share inspiring personal stories, revealing how we can embody Buddhist wisdom and overcome everyday challenges What drives a young London librarian to board a ship to India, meditate in a remote cave by herself for twelve years, and then build a flourishing nunnery in the Himalayas? How does a surfer girl from Malibu become the head of the main international organization for Buddhist women? Why does the daughter of a music executive in Santa Monica dream so vividly of peacocks one night that she chases these images to Nepal, where she finds the love of her life in an unconventional young Tibetan master? The women featured in Dakini Power—contemporary teachers of Tibetan Buddhism, both Asians and Westerners, who teach in the West—have been universally recognized as accomplished practitioners and brilliant teachers whose life stories demonstrate their immense determination and bravery. Meeting them in this book, readers will be inspired to let go of old fears, explore new paths, and lead the lives they envision. Featured here are: Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche (This Precious Life) Dagmola Sakya (Princess in the Land of Snows) Jetsun Tenzin Palmo/Diane Perry (Into the Heart of Life) Pema Chödrön/Deirdre Blomfield-Brown (When Things Fall Apart; Start Where You Are) Khandro Tsering Chödron (late aunt of Sogyal Rinpoche, author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying) Thubten Chodron/Cherry Greene (Buddhism for Beginners; Taming the Mind) Karma Lekshe Tsomo/Patricia Zenn (Buddhism Through American Women ’s Eyes) Chagdud Khadro/Jane Dedman (P ’howa Commentary; Life in Relation to Death) Sangye Khandro/Nanci Gay Gustafson (Meditation, Transformation, and Dream Yoga) Roshi Joan Halifax (Being with Dying) Lama Tsultrim Allione/Joan Rousmanière Ewing (Women of Wisdom; Feeding Your Demons) Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel (The Power of an Open Question)
  leaders of buddhism: McMindfulness Ronald Purser, 2019-07-09 A lively and razor-sharp critique of mindfulness as it has been enthusiastically co-opted by corporations, public schools, and the US military. Mindfulness is now all the rage. From celebrity endorsements to monks, neuroscientists and meditation coaches rubbing shoulders with CEOs at the World Economic Forum in Davos, it is clear that mindfulness has gone mainstream. Some have even called it a revolution. But what if, instead of changing the world, mindfulness has become a banal form of capitalist spirituality that mindlessly avoids social and political transformation, reinforcing the neoliberal status quo? In McMindfulness, Ronald Purser debunks the so-called mindfulness revolution, exposing how corporations, schools, governments and the military have co-opted it as technique for social control and self-pacification. A lively and razor-sharp critique, Purser busts the myths its salesmen rely on, challenging the narrative that stress is self-imposed and mindfulness is the cure-all. If we are to harness the truly revolutionary potential of mindfulness, we have to cast off its neoliberal shackles, liberating mindfulness for a collective awakening.
  leaders of buddhism: Lineages of the Literary Nicole Willock, 2021-04-27 Winner, 2024 E. Gene Smith Inner Asia Book Prize, Association for Asian Studies Honorable Mention, 2023 Joseph Levenson Prize Post-1900, Association for Asian Studies In the aftermath of the cataclysmic Maoist period, three Tibetan Buddhist scholars living and working in the People’s Republic of China became intellectual heroes. Renowned as the “Three Polymaths,” Tséten Zhabdrung (1910–1985), Mugé Samten (1914–1993), and Dungkar Lozang Trinlé (1927–1997) earned this symbolic title for their efforts to keep the lamp of the Dharma lit even in the darkest hour of Tibetan history. Lineages of the Literary reveals how the Three Polymaths negotiated the political tides of the twentieth century, shedding new light on Sino-Tibetan relations and Buddhism during this turbulent era. Nicole Willock explores their contributions to reviving Tibetan Buddhism, expanding Tibetan literary arts, and pioneering Tibetan studies as an academic discipline. Her sophisticated reading of Tibetan-language sources vivifies the capacious literary world of the Three Polymaths, including autobiography, Buddhist philosophy, poetic theory, and historiography. Whereas prevailing state-centric accounts place Tibetan religious figures in China in one of two roles, collaborator or resistance fighter, Willock shows how the Three Polymaths offer an alternative model of agency. She illuminates how they by turns safeguarded, taught, and celebrated Tibetan Buddhist knowledge, practices, and institutions after their near destruction during the Cultural Revolution. An interdisciplinary work spanning religious studies, history, literary studies, and social theory, Lineages of the Literary offers new insight into the categories of religion and the secular, the role of Tibetan Buddhist leaders in modern China, and the contested ground of Tibet.
  leaders of buddhism: Confession of a Buddhist Atheist Stephen Batchelor, 2010-03-02 Does Buddhism require faith? Can an atheist or agnostic follow the Buddha’s teachings without believing in reincarnation or organized religion? This is one man’s confession. In his classic Buddhism Without Beliefs, Stephen Batchelor offered a profound, secular approach to the teachings of the Buddha that struck an emotional chord with Western readers. Now, with the same brilliance and boldness of thought, he paints a groundbreaking portrait of the historical Buddha—told from the author’s unique perspective as a former Buddhist monk and modern seeker. Drawing from the original Pali Canon, the seminal collection of Buddhist discourses compiled after the Buddha’s death by his followers, Batchelor shows us the Buddha as a flesh-and-blood man who looked at life in a radically new way. Batchelor also reveals the everyday challenges and doubts of his own devotional journey—from meeting the Dalai Lama in India, to training as a Zen monk in Korea, to finding his path as a lay teacher of Buddhism living in France. Both controversial and deeply personal, Stephen Batchelor’s refreshingly doctrine-free, life-informed account is essential reading for anyone interested in Buddhism.
  leaders of buddhism: Theravada Buddhism Asanga Tilakaratne, 2012-09-30 This book brings to life the age-old religious tradition of Theravada (literally, “view of the elders”) Buddhism as it is found in ancient texts and understood and practiced today in South and Southeast Asia. Following a brief introduction to the life of the historical Buddha and the beginning of his mission, the book examines the Triple Gem (the Buddha, his teachings, and the community of monastic followers) and the basic teachings of the Buddha in the earliest available Pali sources. Basic Buddhist concepts such as dependent co-origination, the four noble truths, the three trainings, and karma and its result are discussed in non-technical language, along with the Buddha’s message on social wellbeing. The author goes on to chronicle his own involvement as an observer-participant in “the Theravada world,” where he was born and raised. His is a rare first-hand account of living Theravada Buddhism not only in its traditional habitats, but also in the world at large at the dawn of the twenty-first century. He concludes with a discussion on what is happening to Theravada today across the globe, covering issues such as diaspora Buddhism, women’s Buddhism, and engaged Buddhism. The book’s accessible language and clear explication of Theravada doctrine and texts make this an ideal introduction for the student and general reader.
  leaders of buddhism: The Buddha Party John Powers, 2017 The Buddha Party tells the story of how the People's Republic of China employs propaganda to define Tibetan Buddhist belief and sway opinion within the country and abroad. The narrative they create is at odds with historical facts and deliberately misleading but, John Powers argues, it is widely believed by Han Chinese. Most of China's leaders appear to deeply believe the official line regarding Tibet, which resonates with Han notions of themselves as China's most advanced nationality and as a benevolent race that liberates and culturally uplifts minority peoples. This in turn profoundly affects how the leadership interacts with their counterparts in other countries. Powers's study focuses in particular on the government's patriotic education campaign-an initiative that forces monks and nuns to participate in propaganda sessions and repeat official dogma. Powers contextualizes this within a larger campaign to transform China's religions into patriotic systems that endorse Communist Party policies. This book offers a powerful, comprehensive examination of this ongoing phenomenon, how it works and how Tibetans resist it.
  leaders of buddhism: Buddhism and Violence International Association of Buddhist Studies. Conference, Hui Ho Chiew, Philip Pierce, 2006 Contributed articles presented at the 13th Conference of the International Association of Buddhist Studies held in Bangkok, Dec. 2002.