Simple Buddhism : a guide to enlightened living

101 Pages·2015·1.57 MB·English

by  Simpkins, Alexander C, D, Annellen Simpkins Ph

SIMPLE
BUDDHISM
A Guide to Enlightened Living
SIMPLE
BUDDHISM
A Guide to Enlightened Living
C. Alexander Simpkins Ph.D. • Annellen Simpkins Ph.D.
Tuttle Publishing
Boston • Rutland, Vermont • Tokyo
First published in 2000 by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd, with editorial offices
at 364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759 U.S.A.
Copyright © 2000 by C. Alexander Simpkins and Annellen Simpkins All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written
permission from Tuttle Publishing.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN—PUBLICATION DATA
WILL BE FOUND AT THE END OF THIS BOOK.
ISBN: 978-1-4629-1735-8 (ebook) Distributed by USA
Tuttle Publishing USA
364 Innovation Drive
North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
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Printed in the United States of America
We dedicate this book to our parents, Carmen and Nathaniel Simpkins and Naomi and Herbert Minkin, and
to our children, Alura L. Simpkins and C. Alexander Simpkins Jr., and to all the true bodhisattvas whose
compassionate actions have helped improve our world.
Carmen Z. Simpkins’ abstract expressionist paintings suggest mood, movement, and mysticism. Simpkins
has been painting for seventy-five years. Her first solo show took place in Camden, Maine, in 1962 at the
Broadlawn Gallery. She has exhibited throughout the world, and her works are in private collections in
Europe and America. She continues to display her work at her galleries in Sebastian, Florida and Clinton,
South Carolina.
CONTENT
Introduction
PART I: BUDDHISM IN TIME
1: The Founder Plants the Seeds
2: Buddhism Takes Root
3: The Blossom of Mahayana
4: Branching Out
5: Flowers from Buddha’s Garden
PART II: BUDDHIST THEMES
6: The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path
7: Buddhist Psychology: Awakening from the Dream
8: Nirvana: A New Experience
9: The Bodhisattva Way: Life Is Good
PART III: LIVING BUDDHISM
10: Meditation: Beginning with Your Own Mind
11: Paradise Now: Action Is Thought
12: Mindful Work
13: Enlightenment Through Art
14: Psychotherapy: The Path that Heals
Conclusion
Time Line
Bibliography
INTRODUCTION
Buddhism is a philosophy that offers a different way to be happy. Everyday life
can be filled with frustration and difficulties. And while we may experience
pleasures and satisfactions at times, they rarely last. Buddhism helps people
overcome this human condition to find true happiness. Called enlightenment by
Buddhists, this happiness is a transformation that takes place within, and is
followed by deep calm, clarity of perception, and a feeling of compassion for
others. Everyone has the ability to change, because, according to Buddhism,
enlightenment is already there, it’s just lying dormant and unrecognized.
Buddhism offers a clear method to follow, which it calls the Middle Path.
This path brings wisdom and understanding of the source of problems, enabling
us to gain control of our thoughts and actions. When this happens, we can
recognize things just as they are and understand how we are a part of the whole.
When we step out of the shadows of illusion, there is nothing in the way of
positive accomplishments or of being who we are. From this new perspective,
we can endure and transcend—and live an enlightened life.
ABOUT SIMPLE BUDDHISM
This book is designed to help you understand and use Buddhism as a means
of inner transformation. The book is divided into three parts. Part I gives the
background and development of Buddhism, to introduce you to the ideas. Part II
explains key themes, guiding you along the path to becoming wiser and more
compassionate. Part III shows how to meditate the Buddhist way and then how
to apply these abilities to everyday life.
You may choose to apply personally relevant Buddhist concepts to your life,
or you may decide to follow the path more deeply and comprehensively. Start
with where you are. However you decide to integrate Buddhism into your life,
let it open your potential to become the best person you can be.
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
Meditate regularly and think carefully about the ideas presented here—this is
the basis for discovering Buddhism for yourself. Deep contemplation will help
you understand Buddhist concepts better.
Buddhism is not just a set of concepts or a theory to learn; it is something
you must discover for yourself through your own experience. We encourage you
to do the exercises. Read through the directions once or twice, then set the book
aside and try them. Give yourself time to reflect on the new ideas and skills as
you find ways to integrate them into your life. Be patient with the process: The
journey of self-discovery may have its ups and downs, but with an open attitude,
you will discover your own enlightenment!
PART I
Buddhism in Time
A vision awakens us
From the depths of ancient history
Buddha’s enlightenment
Dispels the shadows of mystery
—C. Alexander Simpkins
Buddhist philosophy spans twenty-five centuries, with millions of adherents
throughout the world. The journey began in a shadowy past, before recorded
history, when a legendary man named Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, through
dedicated effort and commitment to all human beings, made a wondrous
discovery: that life can be good, and so can we. As you follow the evolution, the
veil over these shadowy beginnings lifts, revealing a brightly lit pathway of
inner discovery, open for all to walk.

CHAPTER 1
The Founder Plants the Seeds
Be a lamp unto yourself.
—Buddha
EARLY YEARS
Buddhism can be traced back to one man, known to the world as the Buddha,
“The Awakened One” (563-483 B.C.). He began his evolution as Siddhartha
Gautama, a member of the Sakya clan of a small republic in northern India.