Contemplating reality : a practitioner's guide to the view in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism

by Andy Karr

Other authorsDzogchen Ponlop (Foreword)
Paperback, 2007

Publication

Imprint: Boston, Massachusetts : Shambhala Publications, 2007. Responsibility: Andy Karr with a foreword by Dzogchen Ponlop. Physical: Text : 1 volume : xv, 246 pages ; 22 cm. Features: Includes appendices, index, notes.

Call number

GT-B-Tb / Karr

Barcode

BK-08594

ISBN

9781590304297

CSS Library Notes

Description: This book is for intermediate and advanced Buddhist practitioners who wish to deepen their understanding by joining practice with study of traditional ideas. It introduces the reader to contemplations that investigate a series of views of reality as they evolved in the Buddhist tradition. These views are explained in plain English, with contemporary metaphors and examples to bring out their meaning for modern Buddhists. Quotations from both historical and living meditation masters and scholars are presented as examples of key principles. Topics include:

Egolessness
Appearances and reality
Methods of investigation
Enlightenment
Tenets of different schools through the centuries
The root of compassion
The origin of thoughts

Guided exercises encourage the reader to trust in experiential understanding through deep contemplation of complex concepts. The book is structured as a guide for the reader’s journey. -- from publisher

FY2023 /

Physical description

xv, 246 p.; 22 cm

Description

This book is for intermediate and advanced Buddhist practitioners who wish to deepen their understanding by joining practice with study of traditional ideas. It introduces the reader to contemplations that investigate a series of views of reality as they evolved in the Buddhist tradition. These views are explained in plain English, with contemporary metaphors and examples to bring out their meaning for modern Buddhists. Quotations from both historical and living meditation masters and scholars are presented as examples of key principles. Topics include Egolessness, Appearances and reality, Methods of investigation, Enlightenment, Tenets of different schools through the centuries, The root of compassion, The origin of thoughtsGuided exercises encourage the reader to trust in experiential understanding through deep contemplation of complex concepts. The book is structured as a guide for the reader's journey.… (more)

Language

Original language

English

User reviews

LibraryThing member kukulaj
Emptiness is surely at the heart of Buddhist philosophy. Different schools present emptiness in different ways. Karr presents the views of a variety of these schools, from the Vaibhasika to the Shentong. He follows quite closely the program of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche's book Progressive
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Stages of Mediation on Emptiness.

Another useful aspect of this book is the explanation of how this kind of conceptual reflection meshes with meditation. Karr does a good job of explaining how working with concepts can enable one to become free of entrapment in concepts.

This book is probably too specialized to be a good introduction to Buddhism. But even as a second book it could work. Karr carefully introduces the terms and concepts along the way. This is an excellent introduction to emptiness.
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Rating

½ (3 ratings; 4.5)
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