Preface:
I had been in Singapore just a few
days when a young man appeared at my door. "Can I
ask you some questions about Buddhism?" he queried.
We sat down and began to talk. Some of his questions were
similar to the ones that westerners who were just meeting
Buddhism would ask. Yet others were peculiar to Asians
who had grown up in societies where Buddhism and the old
folk religions were often mixed up, at least in the minds
of the lay people. As I began teaching in Singapore, I
noticed over and over again that the same questions were
being asked. Especially the young people, who were intelligent
and educated, were earnestly seeking to understand Buddhism
and its relationship to modern life.
Soon thereafter, another man came
to see me, and in the course of our discussion he said,
"We need to hear about Buddha's teachings in everyday
English, a clear explanation without a lot of Pali and
Sanskrit terms that we do not understand. Why not print
a book with some of your talks? I would be happy to help
you."
The idea to write this small book
thus came from these two people - Lee Siew Cheung and
Robert Gwee. My motivation has been to benefit others,
although my knowledge is limited and my writing style
poor. Any mistakes are due entirely to my own ignorance.
My deepest respect and gratitude
is offered to the Buddhas and to my spiritual masters,
especially His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tsenzhab Serkong
Rinpoche and Zopa Rinpoche.
Contents:
- The Essence of Buddhism &
The Buddhist Traditions
- The Buddha
- Idols & Offerings
- Prayer & Dedicating Positive
Potential
- Rebirth vs Creation
- Karma: The Functioning of Cause
& Effect
- Impermanence & Suffering
- Death
- Attachment, Detachment & Desire
- Women & The Dharma
- Monks, Nuns & Lay Devotees
- Meditation
- Steps Along the Path
- Selflessness
- Vajrayana
