Exploring Buddhism (a Quest Book)

Exploring BuddJkism ChristniS§ Humphrey? EXPLORING BUDDHISM The Buddhist field of knowledge is now so vast that few can master all of it, and the study and application of its principles must be a m atter of choice. One may choose the magnificent m oral philosophy of Theravada. the oldest school, or the Zen training of Japan; or special themes such as the doctrine of No-self, the M ahayana em phasis on compassion or the universal law of K arm a and Rebirth. But the intense selfdiscipline needed for true spiritual experience calls for specialisation o f subject and technique. In his latest work Christm as H um phreys, the well-known author of a dozen books on Buddhism (including such popular volumes as Buddhism, The Buddhist Way o f L ife, Zen Buddhism and A Western Approach to Zen) describes his exploration in some 20 of these sub­ jects, which together form a valuable addition to W estern Buddhist literature. Some of these chapters deal with ideas not hitherto ex­ pressed— but, as the author points out, all experience is purely per­ sonal and therefore fresh to the reader's mind. This is a book for all in the West who are finding in Buddhism a tested system of truth which accords with the highest discoveries of science and psychology and also with the deepest nature of man. Cover illustration by JANE EVANS Exploring Buddhism CHRISTMAS HUMPHREYS A QUEST BOOK Published under a grant from the Kern Foundation THE THEOSOPHICAL PUBLISHING HOUSE Wheaton, 111., U.S.A. Madras, India / London, England This book is copyright under the Berne Convention. A ll rights are reserved. A part from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as perm itted under the C opy­ right A ct, 1956, no part of this publication m ay be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, electrical, chemical, mechanical, optical, photo­ copying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Enquiries should be addressed to the publishers. © Christmas Humphreys 1974 First Quest Edition published by the Theosophical Pub­ lishing House, Wheaton, Illinois, a department of The Theosophical Society in America, 1974. Humphreys, Christmas, 1901Exploring Buddhism. (A Quest book) 1. Buddha and Buddhism. I. Title. BQ4022.H85 1975 294.3 74-12206 ISBN 0-8356-0454-3 PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Contents Acknowledgements Introduction page 7 9 THE BUDDHA AND H IS EN LIG H TEN M EN T 1 2 3 4 The Buddha’s Enlightenment The Purpose of Affray Buddhism and the Esoteric Tradition The Two Concentric Circles of Buddhism in Tibet Self and No-self 15 21 23 33 42 BUDDHIST DOCTRINES 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Central Themes of Buddhism The Precipice and the Mountain The Buddhist Concept of Dharma When One is Two Karma and Rebirth When I am Dead The Head and the Heart Beauty The Arhat and the Bodhisattva Ideal Absolutely Relative Cease from Running A Beginner’s Guide to Zen Soto Zen 49 54 59 67 68 79 80 85 87 92 100 102 109 BUDDHISM COMES WEST 14 Buddhism comes West Search 15 Why Buddhism? 16 Zen comes West 117 126 127 135 ON DOING BUDDHISM 17 On Doing Buddhism 149 18 19 20 Buddhism in Daily Life Should Buddhists Meditate? Concentration and Meditation Empty the Mind Glossary Index 161 170 176 185 186 189 Acknowledgements I am deeply grateful to those who have fair-copied my original typing, often with helpful criti