Buddhist Studies

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THE HEART OF THE BUDDHA’S TEACHINGS

TRANSFORMING SUFFERING INTO PEACE, JOY & LIBERATION

THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS, THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH & OTHER BASIC BUDDHIST TEACHINGS

ISBN 0-965-85626-7

THICH NHAT HANH

ENTERING THE HEAR T OF THE BUDDHA

Buddha was not a god. He was a human being like you and me, and he suffered just as we do. If we go to the Buddha with our hearts open, he will look at us, his eyes filled with compassion, and say, “Because there is suffering in your heart, it is possible for you to enter my heart.”

THE HOLY TEACHINGS OF VIMALAKIRTI

A MAHAYANA SCRIPTURE

ROBERT THURMAN

ISBN 0-271-00601-3

5

CONSOLATION OF THE INVALID

Vimalakirti replied, “Manjushri, my sickness comes from ignorance and the thirst for existence and it will last as long as do the sicknesses of all living beings. Were all living beings to be free from sickness, I also would not be sick. Why? Manjushri, for the bodhisattva, the world consists only ofliving beings, and sickness is inherent in living in the world. Were all living beings free of sickness, the bodhisattva also would be free of sickness. For example, Manjushri, when the only son of a merchant is sick, both his parents become sick on account of the sickness of their son. And the parents will suffer as long as that only son does not recover from his sickness. Just so, Manjusri, the bodhisattva loves all living beings as if each were his only child. He becomes sick when they are sick and is cured when they are cured. You ask me, Manjushri, whence comes my sickness; the sicknesses of the bodhisattvas arise from great compassion.”

THE WAY OF BODHISATTVA

SHANTIDEVA

SHAMBHALA CLASSICS

ISBN 9-781590-300572