Exploring Buddhism

Christmas Humphreys

• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Year: 2012
• Print ISBN: 9780415531115
• eBook ISBN: 9781136228773
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Eastern Philosophy

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 matter of choice. One may choose the magnificent moral philosophy of Theravada, the oldest school, or the Zen training of Japan; or special themes such as the doctrine of No-self, the Mahayana emphasis on compassion or the universal law of Karma and Rebirth. But the intense self-discipline needed for true spiritual experience calls for specialization of subject and technique.

In this reissue, first published in 1974, Christmas Humphreys takes us on a personal journey through Buddhism, offering insights into the many different paths, doctrines and approaches to Buddhism. This collection of twenty essays ranges from history to doctrine, and from the rise of Buddhism in the West through to the finer points of its everyday practice. It is a truly valuable piece of Western Buddhist literature and its reissue will be welcomed be scholars of Buddhism and interested laypeople alike.

Exploring Buddhism

Christmas Humphreys

Published in association with The Buddhist Society Trust

First published in 1974
by George Allen & Unwin Ltd

This edition first published in 2012 by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN

Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business

© 1974 Christmas Humphreys

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

Publisher’s Note

The publisher has gone to great lengths to ensure the quality of this reprint but points out that some imperfections in the original copies may be apparent.

Disclaimer

The publisher has made every effort to trace copyright holders and welcomes correspondence from those they have been unable to contact.

A Library of Congress record exists under ISBN: 0042940796

ISBN 13: 978-0-415-52676-0 (hbk)

Exploring Buddhism

CHRISTMAS HUMPHREYS

London

GEORGE ALLEN & UNWIN LTD

Ruskin House Museum Street

First published in 1974

This book is copyright under the Berne Convention. All rights are reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, 1956, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, electrical, chemical, mechanical, optical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Enquiries should be addressed to the publishers.

© Christmas Humphreys 1974

ISBN 0 04 294079 6 Hardback

ISBN 0 04 294080 4 Paperback

Printed in Great Britain
by Willmer Brothers Limited
Birkenhead

Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

THE BUDDHA AND HIS ENLIGHTENMENT

1The Buddha’s Enlightenment

The Purpose of Affray

2Buddhism and the Esoteric Tradition

3The Two Concentric Circles of Buddhism in Tibet

4Self and No-self

BUDDHIST DOCTRINES

5Central Themes of Buddhism

6The Precipice and the Mountain

7The Buddhist Concept of Dharma

When One is Two

8Karma and Rebirth

When I am Dead

9The Head and the Heart

Beauty

10The Arhat and the Bodhisattva Ideal

11Absolutely Relative

Cease from Running

12A Beginner’s Guide to Zen

13Soto Zen

BUDDHISM COMES WEST

14Buddhism comes West

Search

15Why Buddhism?

16Zen comes West

ON DOING BUDDHISM

17On Doing Buddhism

18Buddhism in Daily Life

19Should Buddhists Meditate?

20Concentration and Meditation

Empty the Mind

Glossary

Index

Table of contents

• Cover
• Exploring Buddhism
• Full Title 1
• Copyright 1
• Full Title 2
• Copyright 2
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• THE BUDDHA AND HIS ENLIGHTENMENT
• BUDDHIST DOCTRINES
• BUDDHISM COMES WEST
• ON DOING BUDDHISM
• Glossary
• Index