Buddhist Yoga: A Comprehensive Course

by Thomas Cleary

Book Overview

The word "yoga" has many meanings, including "meditation", "method", and "union." While the physical exercises of Hindu yoga are familiar to westerners, the subtle metaphysics and refined methods of spiritual development that characterize Buddhist Yoga are not yet well known. This volume presents a landmark translation of a classical sourcebook of Buddhist Yoga, the "Scripture Unlocking the Mysteries," a revered text of the Yogachara school of Buddhism...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1570620180
• ISBN13: 9781570620188
• Release Date: June 1995
• Publisher: Shambhala
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.1" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Yogacara metaphysics in theory and practice

This text is a translation of the Sandhinirmochana Sutra -a core text of the Vijnavada/Yogacara school- discussing the theoretical basis and practical applications and results of Buddhist meditation. It is a manual of techniques and exercises for practitioners. However, as the techniques and exercises are not spelled out as such but are embedded in the text, a certain amount of discernment is required. Also, one should bear in mind the difference between this type of yoga of inquiry and analysis and the more physical or devotional forms of yoga or one may miss the point entirely.

Yoga Means Union

This book is meant as a precursor to meditation, to be read and re-read, pondered upon and read again. Sitting on a cushion and meditating may be good to relieve stress, however true insight comes effortlessly after first perfecting ones intellectual understanding of ultimate truth and reality. Only after this perfection, which is clearly outlined in this sutra, will meditation yield results beyond mere mystic states. As stated above, the sanskrit word "yoga" means union, and this text is a translation of the Buddha's teaching which outlines the perfection of intellectually understanding the functioning of Mind and consciousness and the right frame in which to apprehend ultimate truth (ones union with ultimate truth is then free to follow). Liberation is one thing, and you may gain it in meditation, but only after perfecting your intellectual understanding can reason come to its conclusion and meditation yield concentration and contemplative results effortlessly.

Before the OM was what?

Yes. The previous reviewer is correct: this is the deepest of the deep of the Buddha's cosmic sutras. Don't waste your money on this book if you are not a meditating Buddhist.If you've found the cushion, however, taste this! This is a book for Bodhisattvas to bathe in.