In this book the core of the Buddha's teaching is comprehensively cast in modern models of thought - borrowed from science and philosophy - and informed by contemporary concerns. It sets out the basic instructions for the life-changing way of the Buddha (the so-called 'Noble Eightfold Path') wholly in the context of contemporary and everyday life, personal experience, human relationships, work, environmental concern and the human wish for peace. The reader, who may be completely new to Buddhism, is accompanied along the Path with practical exercises that are fully explained. The Path begins with an introductory overview and then proceeds through Right Speech, Right Acting, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Concentration, Right Mindfulness, Right Understanding and Right Resolve, and concludes with a short chapter on the relevance of the Path to the current global crisis. The reader is mentored throughout by practical meditational and contemplative exercises, with tables, diagrams, analogies and stories. Gradually the reader who has followed this handbook with commitment will feel the benefits of growing peacefulness, wisdom and compassion.
Geoffrey Hunt is Buddhist Chaplain at the University of Surrey and Visiting Professor in Buddhist Ethics at the same university. In 2002 he founded, and continues to lead, the lay movement New Buddha Way www.newbuddhaway.org.
Table of ContentsPrelimsList of Figures, Tables, Exercises, Metaphors and Parables vii-viiiAcknowledgements ix-xForeword xi, by Amaro BhikkhuPreface xiii-xviiiIntroduction 1-11Part One: Ethics1. Right Speech: What I Say 15-242. Right Acting: What I Do 25-323. Right Livelihood: How I Live & Work 33-40Part Two: Meditation4. Right Effort: Directing the Mind 43-605. Right Concentration: Breathing 61-686. Right Concentration: Objects 69-747. Right Mindfulness: Refining Attention 75-848. Right Mindfulness: Anchor & Buoy Model 85-999. Right Mindfulness: Full Awareness 100-10710. Right Mindfulness: Insight 108-119Part Three: Wisdom11. Right Understanding: Ignorance & Nibbāna 123-13212. Right Understanding: The Horizons Model 133-14413. Right Understanding: The Mirror Model 145-15414. Right Understanding: The Reflections Model 155-16915. Right Understanding: Self & Waveform Model 170-17816. Right Understanding: The Emergence Model 179-19517. Right Understanding: Self-Evaluation 196-20318. Right Resolve: A Change of Heart 204-21219. Right Resolve: Silence 213-220Conclusion: A Global Awakening? 221-224AppendicesAppendix 1: Posture 225-233Appendix 2: Glossary of Neologisms 234-235End MatterReferences and Notes 236-241Bibliography 242-243Index 244-247