http://www.accesstoinsight.org/news/index.html Readings in Theravada Buddhism Copyright (c) 2005 John Bullitt Tue, 19 July 2005 07:02:05 EDT en-us http://www.accesstoinsight.org/icon/samadhi-buddha.jpg http://www.accesstoinsight.org 112 132 http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tech/download/bulk.html The Off-line Edition was last updated on Tuesday Jul 19 2005. Tue, 19 July 2005 07:02:05 EDT http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/dhammananda/marriage.html Practicing Buddhists living as married householders face countless challenges in their day-to-day lives with their partners: What responsibilities does one have to one's spouse and children? How can sexuality be reconciled with the Buddha's teachings on celibacy? What are the Buddhist views on contraception? On divorce? How can couples maintain a loving, committed, and mutually supportive relationship that stays true to the Buddha's teachings? In this book the author, who writes from a classical Theravada Buddhist perspective, uses clear and direct language to help strip away much of the confusion that often clouds these issues of vital importance to householders. Sun, 17 July 2005 15:01:26 EDT http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nyanatiloka/wheel394.html In this booklet one of the 20th century's great scholar-monks addresses some of the most fundamental but difficult issues in the correct understanding of the Buddha Dhamma. Bringing together his wide scholarship and practical experience with a gift for clear communication, Ven. Nyanatiloka explains the Four Noble Truths, Kamma and Rebirth, Dependent Origination, and Meditation. His treatment of these topics will be illuminating not only for newcomers, but also for longtime students of the Dhamma dissatisfied with the vague, wistful versions of the Teaching that have become so widespread today. [Notes adapted from the back cover.] Thu, 14 July 2005 15:01:26 EDT http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/desilva/attitude.html In this essay de Silva reviews the Buddha's teachings regarding humankind's relationship to the natural world. More than just laying the foundation for a Buddhist understanding of contemporary environmental issues, this essay also reveals the vital role that nature and wilderness played in early Buddhism. Amply footnoted with references to source passages from the suttas. [From "Buddhist Perspectives on the Ecocrisis," Klass Sandell, ed., Buddhist Publication Society "Wheel" No. 346; 1987]. Wed, 13 July 2005 15:01:26 EDT http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bogoda/bl139.html Four short essays on what it means for a layperson to live in line with the Buddha's teachings. These essays ("Buddhist Culture," "The Balanced Personality," "Knowing Oneself," and "Buddhism and Other Religions") all share a common message: through Buddhist practice it is possible to refine one's character, ennoble one's life, and become "cultured" in the highest sense of the word. [Buddhist Publication Society "Bodhi Leaves" No. 139 (1996)]. Sun, 10 July 2005 21:01:26 EDT http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/ashby/bl026.html Although dukkha (unsatisfactoriness, suffering, stress) is an inescapable part of life, we humans demonstrate a remarkable talent at finding ways to hide from it and mask its effects. In this essay the author addresses the many ways -- skillful and otherwise -- in which we can choose to respond to dukkha. [Buddhist Publication Society "Bodhi Leaves" No. 26 (1965)]. Sun, 10 July 2005 21:01:26 EDT http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/samyutta/sn-07-018-tb0.html How does the Buddha practice jhana in the forest? Wed, 07 July 2005 09:01:26 EDT http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/price/bl102.html In this delightful fictional dialogue, an earnest but perplexed newcomer to Buddhism brings his basic questions to the wise and patient monk Tissa. A good read for the newcomer or for the veteran meditator who wants a brief back-to-basics pick-me-up. [Buddhist Publication Society "Bodhi Leaves" No. 102 (1985)]. Wed, 06 July 2005 21:01:26 EDT http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/khuddaka/nd1/nd1-1-42-ao0.html In a series of verses of stunning simplicity and elegance, Sariputta describes the fleeting evanescence of the present moment. Sun, 03 July 2005 21:43:28 EDT http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/vinaya/cv-5-6-ao0.html These lesser-known verses of metta (loving kindness, good will) illustrate the Buddha's skill at adapting an existing tradition (here, protective charms against snake bites) to serve as a vehicle for a more universal teaching. [Olendzki] Sun, 03 July 2005 21:43:28 EDT http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/mahasi/wheel298.html A new transcription of a classic BPS publication. This collection of short excerpts from Mahasi Sayadaw's Dhamma talks sketches in broad strokes the essence of his teachings. Topics covered include the nature of the five aggregates (khandha), the role of virtue (sila), the relationship between concentration and insight, and how the persistent application of mindfulness towards nama-rupa (mental and physical phenomena) can eventually lead to the arising of liberating insight. Thu, 01 July 2005 11:59:39 EDT