Overview
Ratnaguna presents a commentary on the three Pure Land Sutras - the Shorter and Longer Sukhavati-vyuha Sutras and the Amitayur-Dhyana Sutra. Looking at them as a practising Buddhist inspired by the Sutras, he shows how they describe Sukhavati and Amitabha/Amitayus, Sukhavati's relationship with faith and practice, explain how they came about (a 'mythical history'), and tell us how we can be reborn there. The Sutras all discuss the aspiration to be reborn in Sukhavati but can also be understood metaphorically - rebirth taking place in this very life, and Sukhavati being a description of the Enlightened Mind. The Sutras put forward a path of faith and grace, as well as effort and practice. Using a practical and imaginative approach, Ratnaguna explores the main themes from the texts, including the '3-fold Goodness' or '3 acts of merit' necessary to be reborn into Sukhavati, and the 13 meditations given by the Buddha. This book will appeal to both practising Buddhists and anyone interested in Buddhism from a practical point of view.Includes translations of the three Pure Land sutras by Sraddhapa.
Full Product Details
Author: Ratnaguna Hennessey ,
Shraddhapa Welsh
Publisher: Windhorse Publications
Imprint: Windhorse Publications
Dimensions:
Width: 15.50cm
, Height: 2.30cm
, Length: 23.10cm
Weight: 0.590kg
ISBN: 9781909314566
ISBN 10: 1909314560
Pages: 392
Publication Date: 04 March 2016
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.
Reviews
'Ratnaguna beautifully explores these ancient texts, bringing out their significance for us today. Great Faith, Great Wisdom is a ground breaking work and it will appeal not only to Buddhists, particularly Mahayana Buddhists, but also to artists, poets, archetypal psychologists and historians of art.' - Urgyen Sangharakshita, founder of the Triratna Buddhist Community
'Ratnaguna beautifully explores these ancient texts, bringing out their significance for us today. Great Faith, Great Wisdom is a ground breaking work and it will appeal not only to Buddhists, particularly Mahayana Buddhists, but also to artists, poets, archetypal psychologists and historians of art. -Urgyen Sangharakshita, founder of the Triratna Buddhist Community
Author Information
Ratnaguna is a member of the Triratna Buddhist Order and has been practising Buddhism for 35 years. He was a founder of the Manchester Buddhist Centre. He now lives in Salford, where he is a director of Breathworks - a social enterprise organization that helps people who live with chronic pain and other long-term health conditions. He also teaches at the Manchester Buddhist Centre and leads seminars and workshops at other Buddhist centres in the UK and abroad. He is the author of The Art of Reflection, published by Windhorse Publications.Sraddhapa is also a member of the Triratna Buddhist Order. He lives and works in Norway and teaches at the Oslo Buddhist Centre.
