EASTERN PHILOSOPHY ARCHIVES
Our Eastern Philosophy archives focus almost exclusively on the traditions of Buddhism and Hinduism. The difficulty level of each text provided below is identified by the following codes: B [Beginner]: appropriate for those with no background in philosophy; I [Intermediate]: requires a minimal background in philosophy or the history of ideas; A [Advanced]: most suitable for those with some background in philosophy.
SRI AUROBINDO
Primary Sources
BUDDHISM, PALI CANON
Primary Sources
The Buddha, "The Fire Sermon" [Trans. A.J. Grunthaler] New Translation [B]
Secondary Sources
BUDDHISM, MAHAYANA
Primary Sources
Secondary Sources
BUDDHISM, CH'AN | ZEN
Primary Sources
Secondary Sources
GANDHI
Primary Sources
Secondary Sources
RAMAKRISHNA
UPANISHADS
Primary Sources
Chandogya Upanishad - In the Temple of the City of Brahman New Translation [B]
Chandogya Upanishad - You Are That New Translation [B]
Kena Upanishad - Brahman as Totality New Translation [B]
Mundaka Upanishad - The Unsteady Vessels of Rites New Translation [B]
Secondary Sources
THE VEDAS & BRAHMANISM
Primary Sources
Rig Veda 10.129 - Nasadiya: Creation Hymn of the Rig Veda New Translation [B]
Secondary Sources
VIVEKANANDA
Primary Sources
VEDANTA
Primary Sources
Adi Shankara, "Six Stanzas on Nirvana" New Translation [B]
Secondary Sources
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Zen Entry Points
A general Introduction to Zen history, teachings, and practices, Zen Entry Points, by Sensei Paul Schubert, has been written to provide the background necessary for meditators to work though the uncertainties that they will inevitably face in their practice. This is a text that will be of interest to both the newcomer to Zen as well as those long-time meditators looking to deepen their understanding of Zen. ISBN: 9798565859355 |
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Awakening Wisdom: The Buddha
Awakening Wisdom is designed to provide readers with a clear and concise introduction to the essential teachings of the Buddha as they were recorded in the texts of the Pali Canon and other early Buddhist works. Although written primarily for newcomers to the field of Buddhism, this anthology will also be of interest to practicing Buddhists who may never have had the opportunity to read original Buddhist sources. ISBN: 9781539858737 |
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Science of the Breath
Swami Ramacharaka (aka William Walker Atkinson) was a pioneer of the New Thought Movement in the early 20th century. In Science of the Breath, Atkinson explores yogic deep breathing practices in a way that has rarely been improved upon since the work was first published over 100 years ago. This edition also includes a selection on pranayama, the science of breath control, from Swami Vivekananda's Raja Yoga, ISBN: 9781507634073 |
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Outlines of Mahayana Buddhism
In Outlines of Buddhism, D.T. Suzuki takes on the formidable task of providing comprehensive introduction to the thought of the Mahayana school of Buddhism. Drawing analogies with Western philosophy and literature, the text offers readers a lucid and engaging introduction to the major themes in Mahayana thought. Although Mahayana doctrines can often be difficult to understand, Suzuki writes in a way that is totally accessible to newcomers to Buddhist thought. ISBN: 9781530907816 |
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Hindu Mysticism
Hindu Mysticism provides an engaging introduction to the various mystical traditions that evolved over the centuries in India, including the sacrificial (Vedic), Upanishadic, Yogic, Buddhist, Classical Bhakti (Devotional) and Popular Bhakti. ISBN: 9781542444439 |
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The Four Yogas
This volume includes the complete texts of Swami Vivekananda’s Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga. Taken together, these works present a synthesis of the most prominent yogic traditions of India, revealing both the richness and complexity of Hindu spirituality as well as its continued relevance in the 21st century. ISBN: 9781543273755 |
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Hinduism: Teachings, Sources, and Practices
Hinduism: Teachings, Sources, and Practices has been designed to provide a general overview of Hindu thought specifically for Western audiences. Focusing on the four traditional yogic paths-Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Raja Yoga-this text illuminates the diversity of Hindu thought as it developed over the past 4000 years, while at the same time offering time-tested spiritual practices that can enrich the lives of those of us living in the 21st century. ISBN: 9781547215720 |
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Buddhism: Teachings, Sources, and Practices
An exploration of the development of Buddhism in Asia, Buddhism: Teaching, Sources, and Practices is an anthology that has been written for those with little or no background in Buddhist history or philosophy. Beginning with the teachings of the historic Buddha himself (Siddhatha Gotoma), the text explores the evolution of Buddhist thought during the centuries following the Buddha’s death as it manifested itself in the traditions of Theravada Buddhism, Indian Mahayana Buddhism, Ch’an/Zen Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism. ISBN: 9781981282968 |
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Siddhartha
Originally published in 1922, Siddhartha has become a timeless spiritual classic whose message is as resonant today as it was when it was first written. It is the story of a young Brahmin living at the time of the Buddha, who leaves his family on a search for self-realization. Siddhartha’s journey takes him down various pathways—asceticism, Buddhism, sensualism, materialism, and family life—in order to grasp the ultimate truth that one must find the source of wisdom in oneself. ISBN: 9798654273727 |
WORTH READING - BOOKS FROM OUR SOPHIA PROJECT PARTNERS
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Just Grab the Dust Rag: Confessions of a Deluded Zen Student
Filled with an abundance of humanity and humor, Brenda Shoshanna's account of her years of Zen practice in New York and Japan provides an engaging and often insightful look at the state of contemporary Zen Buddhism in the United States. Those seeking to understand why any sane person would want to undertake the often arduous meditative practices associated with Zen will find their answer in this book, which uses Brenda's own journey to show the relevance of Zen teaching in the 21st century. ISBN: 978-1499309034 |