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Lifting as They Climb: Black Women Buddhists and Collective Liberation
By Toni Pressley-Sanon. 2024
The lives and writings of six leading Black Buddhist women—Jan Willis, bell hooks, Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, angel Kyodo williams, Spring…
Washam, and Faith Adiele—reveal new expressions of Buddhism rooted in ancestry, love, and collective liberation.Lifting as They Climb is a love letter of freedom and self-expression from six Black women Buddhist teachers, conveyed through the voice of author Toni Pressley-Sanon, one of the innumerable people who have benefitted from their wisdom. She explores their remarkable lives and undertakes deep readings of their work, weaving them into the broader tapestry of the African diaspora and the historical struggle for Black liberation. Black women in the U.S. have adapted Buddhist practice to meet challenges ranging from the injustices of the Jim Crow South to sexual violence, social discrimination, and bias within their Buddhist communities. Using their voices through the practice of memoir and other forms of writing, they have not only realized their own liberation but carried forward the Black tradition of leading others on the path toward collective awakening.Poet-Monks: The Invention of Buddhist Poetry in Late Medieval China
By Thomas J. Mazanec. 2024
Poet-Monks focuses on the literary and religious practices of Buddhist poet-monks in Tang-dynasty China to propose an alternative historical arc…
of medieval Chinese poetry. Combining large-scale quantitative analysis with close readings of important literary texts, Thomas J. Mazanec describes how Buddhist poet-monks, who first appeared in the latter half of Tang-dynasty China, asserted a bold new vision of poetry that proclaimed the union of classical verse with Buddhist practices of repetition, incantation, and meditation.Mazanec traces the historical development of the poet-monk as a distinct actor in the Chinese literary world, arguing for the importance of religious practice in medieval literature. As they witnessed the collapse of the world around them, these monks wove together the frayed threads of their traditions to establish an elite-style Chinese Buddhist poetry. Poet-Monks shows that during the transformative period of the Tang-Song transition, Buddhist monks were at the forefront of poetic innovation.God Has a Name
By John Mark Comer. 2017
God Has a Name is a simple yet profound guide to understanding God in a new light--focusing on what God…
says about himself. This one shift has the potential to radically alter how you relate to God, not as a doctrine, but as a relational being who responds to you in an elastic, back-and-forth way. In God Has a Name, John Mark Comer takes you line by line through Exodus 34:6-8--Yahweh's self-revelation on Mount Sinai, one of the most quoted passages in the Bible. Along the way, Comer addresses some of the most profound questions he came across as he studied these noted lines in Exodus, including:Why do we feel this gap between us and God?Could it be that a lot of what we think about God is wrong? Not all wrong, but wrong enough to mess up how we relate to him?What if our "God" is really a projection of our own identity, ideas, and desires?What if the real God is different, but far better than we could ever imagine?No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, the act of learning who God is just might surprise you--and change everything.Buddha's Words for Tough Times: An Anthology
By Peter Skilling. 2024
Twenty translations from the vast corpus of Buddhist literature come alive in this full-color anthology of ancient wisdom for turbulent…
times, as a master scholar uncovers their sources and significance.Change and loss have always been part of the human condition, but in today&’s world, the pace and intensity of uncertainty has reached new extremes. The Buddha observed the truth of impermanence more than 2,500 years ago and diagnosed the source of the anxiety it engenders so incisively that his prescription still resonates and heals here and now. In Buddha&’s Words for Tough Times, Peter Skilling, one of the world&’s foremost authorities on Buddhist scripture, brings the reader face to face with the wealth of Buddhist literature, from a teaching in a single word, to a seminal collection of verses on impermanence, to narrations of the Buddha&’s teaching journeys across the Gangetic Plain. Translating from sources in Tibetan, Sanskrit, and Pali, he uncovers the complex history of the vast writings of the Buddhist canons, and his skill in revealing the meaning of twenty gems from within those riches brings them alive for English readers. We could have no better guide for this exploration, an exploration whose value is more urgent than ever.Flight of the Bön Monks: War, Persecution, and the Salvation of Tibet's Oldest Religion
By Harvey Rice, Jackie Cole. 2024
An inside account of the Chinese invasion of Tibet told through the voices of three persecuted monks• Shares the true…
story of three monks&’ heroic escape from occupied Tibet and the subsequent rebirth of the Bön religion in exile • Introduces Bön, Tibet&’s oldest religion, and a traditional way of life extinguished by foreign occupation • Reveals details of the 1950 Chinese invasion of Tibet and the exodus of thousands of Tibetans to neighboring countries Providing an inside view into the Chinese occupation of Tibet and the tenets of Bön, one of the world&’s oldest but least known religions, this book chronicles the true story of three Bön monks who heroically escaped occupied Tibet and went on to rebuild their culture through incredible resilience, determination, and passion. After taking his vows to become a Bön monk and completing a pilgrimage around 22,000-foot Mt. Kailash, the holiest mountain in Tibet, Tenzin Namdak envisions a life of quiet contemplation at Menri, Bön&’s mother monastery. Instead, he finds himself fleeing for his life across the highest and most difficult terrain on the planet. After being joined by a CIA-backed warlord, Tenzin&’s escape party is ambushed and he is severely wounded. Narrowly escaping execution by Chinese soldiers, the dying Tenzin is taken to a concentration camp, where he is afforded special consideration because of his status as a monk. He overcomes his nearly fatal wound and makes an arduous escape from Tibet over the daunting Himalayas. The other monks, life-long friends Samten Karmay and Sangye Tenzin, witness Tibet&’s capital explode in a violent insurrection against Chinese rule. Escaping to Nepal, they worry about the survival of the Bön religion and begin collecting scattered works of Bön scripture. A chance meeting with British scholar David Snellgrove brings the three monks together again and dramatically changes their lives. Snellgrove invites Sangye, Samten, and Tenzin to spend three years in London on a Rockefeller Foundation grant. There, they hone their English and forge influential relationships, enabling Tenzin to answer the pleas for help from the Bön community by founding a settlement in exile in India. Sangye is chosen as the 33rd Menri Trizen, Bön&’s highest office, and together the three monks help rebuild the nearly extinct Bön religion. Aside from the escape of the Dalai Lama, no other Tibetan escape has been so consequential for so many.It's easy to get lost in all the feels. Our emotions drive so much of what we do, say, and…
think, even if we don&’t realize it. Our response to our feelings—denying they exist, letting them lead our actions unchecked, distracting ourselves to avoid feeling them—can greatly impact our lives and those around us. Emotions are essential for everyday life, but how we navigate them in the storms of life will make or break us. In I Cry in Corners, pastor Chari Orozco takes the readers through the life of Jesus, examining the powerful emotional tests he faced and how he responded, from his terror in the Garden of Gethsemane to his righteous anger in the temple to his disappointment when those he loved best betrayed him. In each chapter, Chari gives readers both practical and spiritual wisdom to help them respond to emotions like Jesus did. How do we steward our emotions when those closest people fail us? We turn around and wash the feet of the ones we love. How do we face temptation? We refuse to get hangry, resist the devil, and remember that our value lies not in what we have but how we love. How do we steward our emotions with maturity when the hurt we&’ve suffered comes from those who claim to know and love Jesus? We do what Jesus did: choose our words wisely, keep our eyes on the joy set before us, and, if necessary, flip over some tables. Our feelings are a gift from God, and through the life and struggles of Jesus, we find a blueprint for honoring your feelings without getting lost in them. Written with a wry, straight-talking, irreverent but always faithful tone, Chari effortlessly weaves together stories of the New Testament with her own insightful, humorous, and refreshingly candid anecdotes. The resulting book is an affirmation of feeling all the feels while encouraging readers to use their emotions as a catalyst for deep spiritual growth.The Everyday Visionary: Focus Your Thoughts, Change Your Life
By Jesse Duplantis. 2008
One of the world's most humorous and dynamic ministers inspires readers to realize their potential and fulfill their dreams using…
the power of "determined" thoughts. Life is about dreaming, doing, and enjoying yourself in the process. Sometimes it might seem as if your dreams are just too wildly improbable, or there are too many obstacles standing in your way, or you've missed your window of opportunity. But if those dreams are divinely inspired, hope is far from lost. You just need to know how to visualize the path to your dream to make it a reality. Born a poor Cajun boy in south Louisiana, Jesse Duplantis was a rock musician in his early years and, after a life-changing experience with God, became one of the most candid, and popular, ministers of the Gospel today. For thirty years Jesse Duplantis has demonstrated what life can be when you focus on finding your personal path and nurturing a closer relationship with God and Jesus Christ. Jesse believes God can help anyone to succeed--no matter who you are or where you come from. Weaving visionary-style thinking with powerful life principles and stories from his own life, Jesse shares what destiny really is, how to find yours, and how to avoid letting others kill your joy. You'll also learn about the "Greatest Weaknesses" and "Destiny Killers" that have prevented people from achieving their goals. Other key topics Jesse explores include: The amazing power of human imagination: God gave it to you for a reason! The strategic power of "determined" thoughts: Learn to use them and see results. What to do if you feel it's too late for your dream: God-given dreams have no expiration dates. Why you can't have what you speak against: Use the magnetic power of words to draw in what you know is yours. How to overcome discouragement: It's okay to shut the door on negativity. The big picture: You are important to God, and your dreams and visionary-style thinking may affect future generations. As Jesse says, "Somebody is going to succeed...why not you?" You can experience real joy, ful-fillment, and success by following God's path to your dreams!A collection of the most inspiring and hope-filled words the Bible has to offer.In addition to being the founding document…
of Christianity, the Bible has long been known to contain some of the most beautiful words ever commited to the page. Much like Shakespeare, it is hard to overstate the influence this books (or, more acurately 'these books') has had purely from a literary standpoint, let alone its religious significance for millions across the globe.Countless individuals across the centuries have turned to its pages for hope in times of adversity, to look for consolation in times of grief, for hope in seemingly hopeless situations, for wisdom in uncertain times. It could be argued that these words of strength and encouragement are needed now, more than ever, as the world witnesses war once again and the threat of climate change looms, ever-present. The Little Book of Bible Verses is the perfect companion for those who find comfort in the words of scripture and wish to be encouraged by the message it brings - in good times, as well as bad."The Lord is my strength and my defence; he has become my salvation." Psalm 118:14"God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5Getting Past Guilt: Embracing God's Forgiveness
By Joe Beam. 2003
Forgiveness: The word itself fills our hearts with peace and hope; yet, countless Christians are plagued by haunting feelings of…
inadequacy and guilt. While their heads tell them they are forgiven, their hearts cry out that they are guilty. This updated version of the previously published Forgiven Forever gets right to the heart of the questions that steal the joy God intends for our lives: Where does guilt come from? Why can't I stop feeling guilty? Why can't I believe God will forgive me?The 10-Second Rule: Following Jesus Made Simple
By Clare De Graaf. 2013
&“This book is catalytic! If you long for something brief, simple, motivational, biblically sound and easy to understand—to move you…
from good intentions to transformational living, read this book. I loved it and highly recommend it.&” —Chip Ingram, President and Teaching Pastor, Living on the Edge; Author of The Genius of GenerosityLearn how to answer God&’s call to action with this &“wonderful, inspirational book that reinforces how one simple gesture, one small act of kindness, can make an enormous difference&” (Laura Schroff, New York Times bestselling author of An Invisible Thread).FINDING YOUR WAY BACK TO FAITHDo you sometimes feel as if your faith has gone flat? Does your spiritual life feel listless and boring? Perhaps you&’ve unconsciously drifted toward what Clare De Graaf calls beige Christianity. You go to church, attend a Bible study, and even volunteer, but there&’s no spark anymore—no joy in your spiritual walk. You may not understand what is happening to your faith, but you do know that you long for something more.If you want to break out of this spiritual gerbil cage and begin living the adventure Jesus intends for you, the place to begin again is living by The 10-Second Rule: Just do the next thing you&’re reasonably certain Jesus wants you to do (and do it within the next ten seconds before you change your mind!).The Rule is like a spiritual defibrillator! Just a few chapters in, you&’ll begin to experience the excitement of making yourself available to God 24-7, and impacting the lives of everyone around you, even total strangers. All over the world, Christians just like you are returning to the simple faith of Jesus and living by the 10-Second Rule. In living by the Rule, you&’ll rediscover the revolutionary power of simple obedience as Jesus taught it, the early church lived it, and before religious Christianity tamed it. Finally, a rule you&’ll love keeping!A Cup of Comfort Women of the Bible Devotional: Daily Reflections Inspired by Scripture's Most Beloved Heroines (A Cup of Comfort)
By James Stuart Bell, Susan B. Townsend. 2009
Spiritual insights for Christian mothers, daughters and sisters, inspired by the lives of biblical women—a perfect gift for female friends…
and family.The women of the Bible have been inspiring females for ages. Now these inspirational reflections have been collected in one place with this devotional. This beautifully packaged volume features twelve poignant stories for each month and a year’s worth of daily reflections. You will relate to how other women deal with life in relation to biblical women through stories, such as:Betty, who finds the wisdom she needs from Martha when she feels too busy and overwhelmed with life to take the time to talk with JesusSusan, who lost her husband to colon cancer, turns to the example of Elizabeth by sharing in the joy of others who recover from the same type of cancer, instead of harboring resentmentLove, motherhood, sadness, joy, grief—everything is explored by these contributors. The power of these biblical women will inspire you to call upon God’s love, help, and grace whenever needed.Proof of Angels: The Definitive Book on the Reality of Angels and the Surprising Role They Play in Each of Our Lives
By Ptolemy Tompkins, Tyler Beddoes. 2016
From the collaborator of the blockbuster bestseller Proof of Heaven comes the definitive book proving angels are real, all around…
us, and interacting in our lives every day.In March 2015, millions worldwide were captivated by news reports of the dramatic rescue of an eighteen month old girl, Lily Groesbeck, who’d somehow survived fourteen hours in an overturned car partially submerged in an icy-cold Utah river after her mother apparently lost control of the vehicle. A voice the four responding officers assumed was the child’s mother still trapped inside spurred them on: “Help me, help me.” Yet, once the two victims were recovered, it was clear that the voice could not have come from Lily’s mother: she’d been killed on impact.New York Times bestselling author Ptolemy Tompkins, with the help of Tyler Beddoes, one of the responding officers who helped rescue Lily, will explain this modern-day miracle and the existence of angels in our world.Proof of Angels weaves real-life stories into a rich narrative, exploring the history, nature, and significance of angels in our lives. With an introduction by Colleen Hughes, the editor-in-chief of Angels on Earth magazine, Proof of Angels proves that the barrier between the spiritual and the scientific is less certain than we often think. Not only does Tompkins offer a highly entertaining look into a universally fascinating topic, but he also delivers a fresh and deeply reassuring message: we are not alone.A collection of the most inspiring and hope-filled words the Bible has to offer.In addition to being the founding document…
of Christianity, the Bible has long been known to contain some of the most beautiful words ever commited to the page. Much like Shakespeare, it is hard to overstate the influence this books (or, more acurately 'these books') has had purely from a literary standpoint, let alone its religious significance for millions across the globe.Countless individuals across the centuries have turned to its pages for hope in times of adversity, to look for consolation in times of grief, for hope in seemingly hopeless situations, for wisdom in uncertain times. It could be argued that these words of strength and encouragement are needed now, more than ever, as the world witnesses war once again and the threat of climate change looms, ever-present. The Little Book of Bible Verses is the perfect companion for those who find comfort in the words of scripture and wish to be encouraged by the message it brings - in good times, as well as bad."The Lord is my strength and my defence; he has become my salvation." Psalm 118:14"God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5The Wait Devotional: Daily Inspirations for Finding the Love of Your Life and the Life You Love
By DeVon Franklin, Meagan Good. 2017
A daily devotional based on the New York Times bestselling The Wait, filled with inspiring readings about how having the…
patience to wait for God&’s best—instead of grasping for what you want right now—can transform your life.In The Wait, DeVon Franklin and Meagan Good, a Hollywood power couple who famously saved sex for marriage, shared the life-changing message that waiting—rather than rushing—can be the key for finding the person you&’re meant to be with.Now, their powerful message is reflected again in The Wait Devotional. Filled with scripture, prayers, and DeVon and Meagan&’s trademark conversational style, this 90-day devotional is packed with real-time advice for men and women trying to successfully navigate the ins and outs of dating, love, and relationships. You&’ll discover how waiting for everything—from sex to getting engaged—can transform your entire life by giving you greater patience, joy, peace, healing, faith, and love.Whether you&’re waiting for the right person to come along or you&’re searching for the strength to put intimacy on hold, The Wait Devotional can help you slow down and trust in God&’s perfect timing, day by day.Don't Miss the Blessing
By Jo Ann Leavell. 1980
Recalling the rich experiences from her marriage to Dr. Landrum P. Leavell II, past president emeritus of New Orleans Baptist…
Theological Seminary, Jo Ann Paris Leavell provides a guide for Christian women, particularly ministers&’ wives. She discusses such topics as family and finances, while emphasizing the importance of communication and daily worship. With optimism apparent on each page, Leavell encourages women to use their God-given gifts to shape a positive self-image and achieve their goals of spiritual growth.Everyday Enlightenment: The Twelve Gateways to Personal Growth
By Dan Millman. 1999
Healing Our Way Home: Black Buddhist Teachings on Ancestors, Joy, and Liberation
By Kaira Jewel Lingo, Valerie Brown, Marisela B. Gomez. 2024
#1 New Release in Zen Spirituality on Amazon"This powerful trinity of Black authors invites us into the living room of…
their hearts, affirming who we are with earthy straight talk, textured diversity, and wise tenderness."—Ruth KingReal talk on living joyfully and coming home to ourselves—with reflective self-care practices to help us on our interconnected journeys of liberationJoin three friends, three Black women, all teachers in the Plum Village tradition founded by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, in intimate conversation, touching on the pain and beauty of their families of origin, relationships and loneliness, intimacy and sexuality, politics, popular culture, race, self-care and healing. No subject is out of bounds in this free-flowing, wide-ranging offering of mindful wisdom to nourish our sense of belonging and connection with ancestors.Authors Valerie Brown, Marisela Gomez, MD, and Kaira Jewel Lingo share how the Dharma's timeless teachings support their work for social and racial equity and justice in their work and personal lives. The book offers insights in embodied mindfulness practice to support us in healing white supremacy, internalized racial oppression, and social and cultural conditioning, leading to a firm sense of belonging and abiding joy.During the Republican period (1912–1949) and after, many Chinese Buddhists sought inspiration from non-Chinese Buddhist traditions, showing a particular interest…
in esoteric teachings. What made these Buddhists dissatisfied with Chinese Buddhism, and what did they think other Buddhist traditions could offer? Which elements did they choose to follow, and which ones did they disregard? And how do their experiences recast the wider story of twentieth-century pan-Asian Buddhist reform movements?Based on a wide range of previously unexplored Chinese sources, this book explores how esoteric Buddhist traditions have shaped the Chinese religious landscape. Wei Wu examines cross-cultural religious transmission of ideas from Japanese and Tibetan traditions, considering the various esoteric currents within Chinese Buddhist communities and how Chinese individuals and groups engaged with newly translated ideas and practices. She argues that Chinese Buddhists’ assimilation of doctrinal, ritual, and institutional elements of Tibetan and Japanese esoteric Buddhism was not a simple replication but an active process of creating new meanings. Their visions of Buddhism in the modern world, as well as early twentieth-century discourses of nation building and religious reform, shaped the reception of esoteric traditions. By analyzing the Chinese interpretation and strategic adaptations of esoteric Buddhism, this book sheds new light on the intellectual development, ritual performances, and institutional formations of Chinese Buddhism in the twentieth century.Nagarjuna's Precious Garland: Ratnavali (Classics of Indian Buddhism)
By Sara McClintock. 2024
Discover the eloquence and insight of the philosopher Nagarjuna, held by tradition to be a second Buddha, in this concise…
instruction for a king that is considered a masterpiece of Buddhist literature.In this profound work of five hundred verses, we encounter a presentation of Buddhism that integrates both the worldly and the transcendent. The clear and sagacious advice laid out on every page serves as a road map to one&’s highest goal—whether that goal is a better life, here called the Dharma of ascendance, or the ultimate one of spiritual freedom, the Dharma of the highest good. The verses, written for an unnamed ruler, touch on questions of statecraft, but their broader themes speak to us today because they tackle the difficulty of integrating one&’s spiritual journey with the social and political demands of daily life. Nagarjuna was an Indian Buddhist teacher, probably of the second century CE, who was renowned for his astute articulation of the philosophy of the Middle Way (Madhyamaka). His thoroughgoing critique of all forms of essentialism became a touchstone for Mahayana Buddhism in India, Tibet, and throughout East Asia, and his importance for the development of the Mahayana tradition can scarcely be exaggerated. The translators here first rendered Nagarjuna&’s letter for the Dalai Lama&’s teachings on the work in Los Angeles in 1997. While that commemorative edition was translated from the Tibetan, the present volume prioritizes the surviving Sanskrit verses along with the only known Indian commentary, by the eleventh-century scholar Ajitamitra. This is the first complete translation in English of the Precious Garland that takes the Indian text and commentary as its primary authorities. In addition, the translators provide rigorous working editions of the Sanskrit and Tibetan verses they translate. This elegant and precise rendering of Nagarjuna&’s work is certain to become the touchstone translation of this celebrated Buddhist text.Personal Narrative of Occurrences During Lord Elgin's Second Embassy of China, 1860
By Baron Henry Brougham Loch. 2024
In 1860, James Bruce (1811-63), the eighth Earl of Elgin, embarked upon a second embassy to China which aimed to…
obtain ratification of the Treaty of Tientsin and finally conclude the Second Opium War on terms favourable to the British. Accompanying Elgin as his private secretary was the enterprising army officer Henry Brougham Loch (1827-1900). Originally published in 1869, Loch's first-hand account of the mission reflects sustained concern over Britain's strained trading relationship with China in the nineteenth century. Notwithstanding his views regarding the need for European influence to shape China's future success in government, his clearly written narrative illuminates contemporary diplomacy and the events surrounding the Convention of Peking in October 1860. Prior to this outcome, Loch had been captured, imprisoned and brutally tortured by Chinese officials. His chapters detailing this experience and his eventual release are especially noteworthy.-Print ed.