Appearing and Empty (9) (The Library of Wisdom and Compassion)

"In this last of three volumes on emptiness, the Dalai Lama takes us through the Sautr ntika, Yog c ra, and Sv tantrika views on the ultimate nature of reality and the Pr sa gikas' thorough responses to these, so that we gain the correct view of emptiness-the selflessness of both persons and phenomena. This view entails negating inherent existence while also being able to establish conventional existence: emptiness does not mean nothingness. We then learn how to meditate on the correct view by cultivating pristine wisdom that is the union of serenity and insight as taught in the P li, Chinese, and Tibetan traditions. Such meditation, when combined with the altruistic intention of bodhicitta, leads to the complete eradication of all defilements thatobscure our minds. This volume also introduces us to the tath gatagarbha-the buddha essence-and how it is understood in both Tibet and China. Is it permanent? Does everyone have it? In addition, the discussion of sudden and gradual awakening in Zen (Chan) Buddhism and in Tibetan Buddhism is fascinating"--… (more)