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​The Sophia Project

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.

BHAGAVAD GITA

Primary Sources

Bhagavad Gita - Topically edited version   New Translation    [B]

SRI AUROBINDO

Primary Sources

Sri Aurobindo, "Yoga and Human Evolution" [B]
Sri Aurobindo, "Fate and Free Will"  [B]
Sri Aurobindo, "The Strength of Stillness" [B]
Sri Aurobindo, "The Nature of the Supermind"  [B]
Sri Aurobindo, "On Ideals and Progress" [B]

BUDDHISM, PALI CANON

Primary Sources

The Buddha, "The Twin Verses" [Dhammapada 1-20]  [B]
The Buddha, "On Craving [Dhammapada 334-359]  [B]
The Buddha, "The Fire Sermon" [Trans. A.J. Grunthaler]  New Translation [B]
The Buddha, "Kalama Sutta  [Trans., Soma Thera] [B]
The Buddha, "Ambalatthikarahulovada Sutta" [Trans. Thanissaro Bhikkhu] [I]
The Buddha, "Vitakkasanthana Sutta  [Trans. Thanissaro Bhikkhu] [I]
The Buddha, "Kakacupama Sutta" [Trans. Thanissaro Bhikkhu] [I]
The Buddha, "Satipatthana Sutta"  [Trans. Thanissaro Bhikkhu]  [I]
The Buddha, "Sandaka Sutta"  [Trans. Sister Upalavanna] [I]
"Questions That Do Not Tend to Edify"  [Lesser Mâlunkyâputta S.] [B]
"There is No Self"  [Malindapanha]  [I]

Secondary Sources

Bikkhu Bodi, "The Living Message of the Dhammapada"  [B]
Donald Cornelius, "The Four Foundations of Mindfulness - Part 1"  [B]
Charles Eliot, "Life of the Buddha"  [Hinduism and Buddhism] [B]
Charles Eliot, "The Teachings of the Buddha" [Hinduism and Buddhism] [B]
Sanath Nanayakkara, "The Kalama Sutta: How Free is Freedom of Thought"  [I]
Michael S. Russo, "Beyond Gods and Reason: Buddhist Experiential Ethics" [B]

BUDDHISM, MAHAYANA

Primary Sources

"Diamond Sutra"  [Buddhist Bible]  [I]
"Heart Sutra"  [Buddhist Bible] [I]
"Heart Sutra" (Shorter Version)  [Manual of Zen Buddhism]  [I]
"Lankavatara Sutra"  [Buddhist Bible] [I]
Nagarjuna, "Treatise on the Middle Way"  [selection] [I]

Secondary Sources

D.T. Suzuki, "Overview of Buddhist Thought"  [Outlines of Mahâyâna Buddhism]  [B]
OD.T. Suzuki, "Overview of Mahâyânism"  [Outlines of Mahâyâna Buddhism]  [B]

BUDDHISM, CH'AN | ZEN

Primary Sources

Seng-tsan (3rd Patriarch), "Verses on the Faith-Mind"  [Manual of Zen Buddhism]  [I]
Dai-o Kokushi, "Admonition"  [Manual of Zen Buddhism]  [B]
Dai-o Kokushi, "On Zen"  [Manual of Zen Buddhism]  [I]
Hakuin, "Song of Meditation"  [Manual of Zen Buddhism]  [I]
Hui-Neng (6th Patriarch), "Autobiography of Hui-Neng"  [Platform Sutra 1]  [I]
Hui-Neng (6th Patriarch), "Discourse on Prajna"  [Platform Sutra 3]  [I]
Kaku-an Shien, "Ten Ox-herding Images"  [Manual of Zen Buddhism] [I]

Secondary Sources

Dwight Goddard, "History of Ch'an Buddhism"  [B]
Scott Mandelker, "Lin-chi and the True Man Without Rank" [I]

GANDHI

Primary Sources

Mohandas K. Gandhi, "The Meaning and Practice of Ahimsa"  [B]
Mohandas K. Gandhi, "On Non-Possession"  [B]
Mohandas K. Gandhi, "The Moral Basis of Vegetarianism" [B]

Secondary Sources

Michael S. Russo, "A Brief Life of Mahatma Gandhi" [B]

PATANJALI

Primary Sources

Patanjali, "Yoga Sutras" [complete with comm. by Robert Johnson]  [I]

RAMAKRISHNA

Ramakrishna, "Finding God in the World"  [Gospel of Ramakrishna]  [I]
Ramakrishna, "The Path of Devotion" [Gospel of Ramakrishna] [I]
Ramakrishna, "Knowledge and Devotion"  [Gospel of Ramakrishna] [I]
Ramakrishna, "On the Realization of God"  [Gospel of Ramakrishna] [I]
Ramakrishna, "What a Vision!"  [Gospel of Ramakrishna] [I]

UPANISHADS

Primary Sources

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad - The Creation of the World  [I]
Chandogya Upanishad - In the Temple of the City of Brahman   New Translation   [B]
Chandogya Upanishad - You Are That   New Translation   [B]
Chandogya Upanishad - The Story of Svetaketu  [I]
Isha Upanishad - The Inner Divinity  [I]
Isha Upanishad - Text with Commentary by Swami Paramananda [I]
Katha Upanishad - The Deathless Self [I]
Kena Upanishad - Text with Commentary by Swami Paramananda  [I]
Kena Upanishad - Brahman as Totality  New Translation  [B]
Mundaka Upanishad - The Unsteady Vessels of Rites  New Translation  [B]

Secondary Sources

Charles Johnson, "The Meaning of OM in the Upanishads"  [B]

THE VEDAS & BRAHMANISM

Primary Sources

Rig Veda - "Selections from the Rig Veda"  [I]
Rig Veda 10.129 - Nasadiya: Creation Hymn of the Rig Veda  New Translation  [B] 
Rig Veda 10.90 - The Primeval Sacrifice (Purusha Sakta)  [B]

Secondary Sources

Maurice Bloomefield, "The Creation Hymn of the Vedas"  [B]
Anthony Macdonell, "Introduction to the Rig Veda" [B]

VIVEKANANDA

Primary Sources

Swami Vivekananda, "The Four Yogas"  [B]
Swami Vivekananda, "The Path of Devotion"  [B]
Swami Vivekananda, "Why We Disagree"  [B]
Swami Vivekananda, "Karma Yoga" [complete]   [B]
Swami Vivekananda, "Karma Yoga" [selection"  [B]
Swami Vivekananda, "What is Religion?"  [B]
Swami Vivekananda, "Unity: The Goal of Religion"  [B]
Swami Vivekananda, "The Idea of a Universal Religion"  [B]
Swami Vivekananda, "Raja Yoga" [selections]  [B]
Swami Vivekananda, "Discourse on Jnana Yoga" [B]
Swami Vivekananda, "Six Lessons on Raja Yoga"  [B]

VEDANTA

Primary Sources

Ashtavakra Gita 1-2 - The Practice of Self-Affirmation  New Translation  [B]
Adi Shankara, "The Awakening to the Self" [Atma Bodha]  [I]
Adi Shankara, "The Essence of the Teaching" [Vakya Sudha]  [I]
Adi Shankara, "Six Stanzas on Nirvana"  New Translation  [B]

Secondary Sources

Charles Johnson, "Shankara's Thought"  [B]

MISCELLANEOUS

Charles Eliot, "Meditation in Hinduism and Buddhism"  [B]
Michael S. Russo, Roads to the Enchanted Kingdom" [B]
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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

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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

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© SophiaOmni, 1999, updated December 2018.
  • Welcome
  • Our Mission
  • Philosophy Archives
    • Introduction to Philosophy
    • Classical Philosophy
    • Medieval Philosophy
    • Modern Philosophy
    • 19-20 c. Philosophy
    • Eastern Philosophy
    • Ethics
    • Topical Arrangement
    • Philosophy Resources
  • SophiaOmni Press
  • Contact Us