The Everything Buddhism Book: A Complete Introduction to the History, Traditions, and Beliefs of Buddhism, Past and Present, Paperback

"My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness." --Dalai Lama

That's easy for the Dalai Lama to say--but for the rest of us, understanding this mysterious, multilayered faith can be very difficult. With this updated and revised edition of the classic Buddhist primer, you can delve into the profound principles of nonviolence, mindfulness, and self-awareness.

From Tibetan Buddhism to Zen, you'll explore the traditions of all branches of Buddhism, including:

• The life of Buddha and his continuing influence throughout the world
• A revealing survey of the definitive Buddhist texts
• What the Sutras say about education, marriage, sex, and death
• Faith-fueled social protest movements in Tibet, Burma, and elsewhere
• Buddhist art, poetry, architecture, calligraphy, and landscaping
• The proven physiological effects of meditation and other Buddhist practices
• The growing impact of Buddhism on modern American culture

In this guide, you'll discover the deceptively simple truths of this enigmatic religion. Most important, you learn how to apply the tenets of Buddhism to your daily life--and achieve clarity and inner peace in the process.

About the Author

Arnold Kozak, PhD took the Bodhisattva vows from His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1985 and is on the teaching faculty of the Barre (MA) Center for Buddhist Studies and the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, MA. Dr. Kozak is a licensed psychologist, and mindfulness is integral to his clinical practice. He founded the Exquisite Mind (http: //exquisitemind.com) in 2002, which includes a psychotherapy practice and studio space for teaching meditation. In addition to conducting mindfulness-based psychotherapy for individual patients, he conducts stress reduction workshops, consults with corporations, and teaches continuing education workshops for mental health professionals and physicians. He has practiced Vipassana meditation on a daily basis for twenty-one years, and is the author of Wild Chickens and Petty Tyrants: 108 Metaphors for Mindfulness.