Wisdom Publications

For over 30 years, Wisdom Publications has been a leading publisher of contemporary and classic books on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness. Publishing books from all major Buddhist traditions, Wisdom is a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated...

[wisdompubs]

[wisdompubs]

[wisdompubs]

[wisdompubs]

The Dalai Lama on Human Potential

On the basis of the belief that all human beings share the same divine nature, we have a very strong ground, a very powerful reason, to believe that it is possible for each of us to develop a genuine sense of equanimity toward all beings.

—The Dalai Lama, The Good Heart

Read more and get your copy here!

[wisdompubs]

Excerpt from Zen: The Authentic Gate by Koun Yamada.

“Although belief, understanding, practice, enlightenment, and personalization come together into a single whole on the Zen path, they are not unique to Zen—any authentic religion will possess them. But just what is it that we believe, understand, practice, realize, and personalize in Zen?”

[wisdompubs]

What Attaining Buddhahood is Really Like

“Attaining Buddhahood” does not imply that you become a new buddha radiating light and manifesting all the distinguishing characteristics of a tathāgata. It is more like a drunk man coming to his senses when the effect of the alcohol finally wears off.

—Muso Soseki, translated by Thomas Yuho Kirchner, in Dialogues in a Dream

Read more and get your copy here!

[wisdompubs]

Siddhartha’s Curiosity

His father, diligent in his love, spares no expense to insure that his delicate son will have all that he wishes. Wherever Siddhārtha places his head, a white parasol appears above it so that a perfect weather will always be sustained.

But every perfection pales against the child’s curiosity— whenever a speck of dust is swept away, he longs to explore its origins all the way back to the forbidden, and therefore fascinating, muddy ground.

—Anita Feng, Sid

Read more and get the book here!

[buddhist-zen]

August 1

When thoughts arise, then do all things arise.

When thoughts vanish, then do all things vanish.

[wisdompubs]

An Intelligent Life

Buddhist Psychology of Self-Transformation

Koitsu Yokoyama

“This welcome new voice in American publishing demonstrates with sparkling clarity how Buddhist wisdom can address life's most pressing questions.”—Publishers Weekly

The idea that our experiences in life are shaped by our own minds is fundamental to Buddhist philosophy. An Intelligent Life uses the principles of Buddhist philosophy to explore how best to make use of our lives in order to benefit ourselves and others. Building on the foundation of core Buddhist concepts like the ego, interdependence, and karma, Professor Yokoyama presents a uniquely practical application of Buddhist philosophy.

By understanding how intimately our own habits of mind are related to the world that we experience, we begin to see how many of our everyday actions are founded on ignorance rather than intelligence. If you steadily work to transform your everyday habits, through meditation and reflection on the true nature of your experiences, you will come to forget your ego, feel more closely related to others, and gain access to the inestimable well of happiness and health that rests within. Learning to see ourselves and the world for what they truly are, we learn how to live truly intelligent lives.

Get your copy here!

[wisdompubs]

When Did You Begin Your Practice?

Nortul Rinpoche studied my expression for a moment, then leaned toward me. 

“When you begin Buddha path?”

In a flash, I recalled the conversation with Margaret, that afternoon in the Fulbright lounge when I’d wanted to tell her about my undergraduate years reading Herman Hesse and Alan Watts and Aldous Huxley. All that acid and mescaline. Throwing open the doors of perception. Judith and I sitting zazen with Kapleau’s students. The whole long story of the spiritual quest that had brought me to graduate school and then to India. But I no sooner opened my mouth to spit it out than Nortul cut me off short, like some Zen master ringing the bell.

“Now.”

He looked at me, thoroughly deadpan.

“You begin now.”

I felt a prickly sensation all over my scalp, and I involuntarily shivered.

He continued to hold my eyes. “And when are you finish? You know?”

I shook my head. Something about the way he spoke was not right. Something about the way he looked. In fact, something about the way everything looked was suddenly not quite right.

“I tell you.”

He leaned forward across the desk, beckoning me closer, as if about to take me into confidence on a matter of extreme delicacy, something of considerable importance to the two of us, and the two of us alone. Once again I obeyed, drawing my head close to his.

He whispered in my ear, “You are finish . . . *now.*”

—from Maya by C. W. Huntington

Learn more and get the book here.

[wisdompubs]

Shantideva

How to Wake Up a Hero

By Dominique Townshend and Tenzin Norbu

“In simple, compassionate language, this insightful book offers spiritual teachings, practical advice, and an entertaining story, all at once.”—Foreword Reviews Shantideva: How to Wake Up a Hero is the retelling of Shantideva’s teachings before a surprised audience, who had thought he was useless and could only eat, sleep, and poop. Leading his listeners into a superhero training of different kind, he reveals the secret to perfect bravery and unbounded compassion and shows how anyone can develop them. You don’t need super-strength or magical powers, he says. You just need practice.

Over a dozen illustrations painted in traditional Tibetan style draw in readers to this work that will be treasured not only by Buddhist families but by anyone who aspires to become more kind and wise.

Learn more and get your copy!

[wisdompubs]

The Interdependence of Existence

All things are interrelated and interdependent; nothing exists in isolation. The entire universe is one ecosystem, similar to a spider web—if one part is touched, the entire net shimmers. As a result of interrelatedness and interdependency, every expression of energy, including our thoughts and intentions, ultimately touches and affects everything else.

—Matthew Flickstein, Journey to the Center

Read more and get the book here!

[wisdompubs]

Dogen on the Most Important Parts of Zen Practice

There are naturally two aspects of settling the matter of body and mind: going to a teacher to hear the Dharma and practicing zazen. Hearing the Dharma lets consciousness go free. Zazen must make the two matters of practice and realization like the left and right hands. If you throw away either, you cannot attain realization.

—Eihei Dōgen in Zen: The Authentic Gate

Read more and get the book here!

[wisdompubs]

The Unstable Nature of Mind

You may be able to recite by heart and brilliantly explain teachings on emptiness. But in daily life, if someone says something a little negative or a little positive, offers a little criticism or a little praise, immediately the mind becomes emotional. There is no stability; immediately there is like and dislike. If this is what happens to our mind in daily life, there is not even a particle of practice of right view.

—Lama Zopa Rinpoche, The Door to Satisfaction

Read more and get the book here!

[wisdompubs]

Ajahn Brahm Starts a Debate on Interconnectedness

Are we all connected? Learn about three different Buddhist perspectives on interconnectedness at this Wisdom Event featuring Ajahn Brahm, Taigen Dan Leighton, and Jonathan Landaw as they compare and contrast mindfulness practices in three different traditions: Theravadan, Zen, and Tibetan.

[wisdompubs]

Happy Birthday, Your Holiness!

We wish the happiest of birthdays and long life to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

[wisdompubs]