When we meet with one of the Bodhisattvas—whether in a painting or sculpture or visualized in meditation—we are brought face to face with a being that embodies Enlightenment. An encounter with such a figure is likely to move us far more deeply than a list of the qualities of someone who is enlightened.Bodhisattvas; or “Enlightenment Beings;†are dedicated to one thing: helping ordinary people on the path towards Enlightenment. The bodhisattvas know that they do not live alone; they are not apart from the rest of life. Seeking Enlightenment for themselves alone can never satisfy bodhisattvas as they witness the suffering that is all around. Their vision is to work endlessly in the service of living beings; helping them achieve Enlightenment.This guide introduces a panoply of these figures; superheroes all; brilliant and beautiful; from the vast array that exists in the Buddhist tradition. Meet Tara; the rescuer; Manjusri; the Bodhisattva of Wisdom; Avalokiteshvara; the Bodhisattva of Compassion; and others. Meeting them; we are touched by their qualities; seeing them in our mind’s eye; we can be transformed.This is fascinating reading that is written with a lightness of touch that really brings it to life.A much published and well-respected Buddhist author; meditator; and teacher; Vessantara is a senior member of the Western Buddhist Order. He holds a particular love for Tibetan Buddhism and the associated visualization practices; and he is also well-known as an effective storyteller.
#775051 in Books Nilgiri Press 1999-11-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.24 x .73 x 6.00l; 1.18 #File Name: 1888314001280 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A BOOK FOR OUR TIMES! READ IT!By BibliophiledwNot to worry! I read this book years ago and since repurchased it. The Truth about this man is there for all to read. What he accomplished was unbelievably amazing in that his turn towards non-violence; together with his compelling leadership; changed an entire centuries-old enculturated behavior of fierce warriors into a 100;000 strong non-violent army of Peacemakers and Uniters. His admiration of Gandhi and his then lifetime friendship with him was nothing short of life changing for himself and all his people. He deserves the title King of Kings or Badshah Khan. He also SHOULD have received the Nobel Peace Prize because what he achieved was nothing short of extraordinary. It would be my deepest hope that all those in the world as it now is who have taken to "hating Muslims" would be required to read this book. We; in our arrogance; always tend to forget that their are Radicals in Every Single Religion. The things that have been done in the name of "Christianity" are horrific! We; as a species; need to open our minds and hearts to realize we are ALL ONE with One Creator. Most Faiths are monotheistic. The irony is that only we argue about the name we call Him while He could care less. It is our ACTIONS that matter and; as the old saying goes: "You don't throw out the baby with the bath water." There will ALWAYS be individuals in every religion; in every political party; in every culture; in every race; that are nothing short of nasty in their hate-spewing. That has NEVER meant that Every Single Person in that same "group" is! When are we; as a species; going to get real about this small fact and proceed with understanding; empathy; and love? We're at a point in time right now where we can rise up as Peacemakers and truly love one another; or we can continue on this slippery slope to yet another War which will be the last for this Planet and all Life upon it. Together as brothers and sisters; We CAN do this! Turn away from the hate and greed mongers and those who govern by engendering Fear in "the Other;" and instead realize and remember that "an enemy" is someone whose story you have not heard. Every one of us wants the same few things: A way to support ourselves and our families; safe shelter; nutritious food; clean drinking/cooking/bathing water; and education for our children. We have these things in common with ALL humanity. The difference is in the "How." Greed and Warmongers want them; too; but they want Yours along with what they already have as Theirs. We are not standing up to the right people; they are not those "over there;" but those close to home. Nonviolence; Peace for ALL Life; Empathy; Compassion; Forgiveness; Love; and Freedom - these are innate Rights. We were ALL born Free by the One who owns the Store! We were not born as puppets or robots. We were given Free Will. Enslavement in any form was and has been done by our own kind. Let us use our Free Will to unite and come together with all the more we have in common remembering that dividing and subtracting is the propaganda that war and greedmongers do in order to enslave and/or support their wars. Let us begin to behave at the level of evolution we have all liked to think we already possessed; but haven't.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. An Outstanding Read!By Donna MiesbachI cannot say enough about this outstanding piece of work by Easwaran. This moving story about how Abdullah Ghaffer Khan was able to show his people how love and service are far more powerful than the rule of violence and revenge that had long been their custom offers hope to our troubled world today. Gandhi has long been a powerful influence in my life; but I did not know until a couple of years ago about the bond between Khan and Gandhi and how they worked in tandem to support the principle of nonviolence; nor was I aware of the extreme price they paid for remaining loyal to the principles they so much believed in. There is much to learn from their shining examples.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A forgotten hero! Highly recommendedBy Farid M. TavusI have bought this book for myself and two other friends as present. I must say this book had huge influence on all of us. Its about a forgotten hero; someone who spend most of his life behind bars and exile for his people; someone who created the worlds first nonviolent army from one the worlds most violent people who are known from blood revenge is beyond what we could possible think. Highly recommended for everybody who wants to know about the outside and known heroes than we see portraits on the walls
