In today’s Buddhist sphere, numerous claims have been made on what the Buddha has taught. However, were they truly spoken by the Buddha? The Buddha-Dharma: Pure and Simple series is an exploration of over 300 topics, where Venerable Master Hsing Yun clarifies the Buddha’s teachings in a way that is accessible and relevant to modern readers. Erroneous Buddhist views should be corrected, the true meaning of the Dharma must be preserved in order to hold true to the original intents of the Buddha. Starting with the question "Who am I?" Venerable Master explains what it means to be a true Buddhist practitioner by describing the roles and responsibilities of a Buddhist in upholding and passing down the legacy of the Buddha.

In today’s Buddhist sphere, numerous claims have been made on what the Buddha has taught. However, were they truly spoken by the Buddha? The Buddha-Dharma: Pure and Simple series is an exploration of over 300 topics, where Venerable Master Hsing Yun clarifies the Buddha’s teachings in a way that is accessible and relevant to modern readers. Erroneous Buddhist views should be corrected, the true meaning of the Dharma must be preserved in order to hold true to the original intents of the Buddha. This second installment contains 50 articles on the topics of doctrine and practice, strengthening our right view with a detailed explanation of fundamental Buddhist concepts, as well as practical guidance on how to bring the Dharma into our daily lives.

In today’s Buddhist sphere, numerous claims have been made on what the Buddha has taught. However, were they truly spoken by the Buddha? The Buddha-Dharma: Pure and Simple series is an exploration of over 300 topics, where Venerable Master Hsing Yun clarifies the Buddha’s teachings in a way that is accessible and relevant to modern readers. Erroneous Buddhist views should be corrected, the true meaning of the Dharma must be preserved in order to hold true to the original intents of the Buddha. This first installment contains 52 articles on the topics of faith and doctrine, laying the foundation for readers to learn and practice in the Buddha’s footsteps. Moreover, it also serves as an inspiration for practitioners to strive for Buddhahood and believe that “I am a Buddha.”

In today’s Buddhist sphere, numerous claims have been made on what the Buddha has taught. However, were they truly spoken by the Buddha? The Buddha-Dharma: Pure and Simple series is an exploration of over 300 topics, where Venerable Master Hsing Yun clarifies the Buddha’s teachings in a way that is accessible and relevant to modern readers. Erroneous Buddhist views should be corrected, the true meaning of the Dharma must be preserved in order to hold true to the original intents of the Buddha. All Buddhist practice begins with right view, for it is the compass that points toward the true path of cultivation. This fourth installment continues laying the groundwork of this foundation by addressing age-old misconceptions. Covering a wide range of social issues from the perspective of the Buddha-Dharma, Venerable Master offers readers a practical but profound approach to Buddhist practice in daily life.

In today’s Buddhist sphere, numerous claims have been made on what the Buddha has taught. However, were they truly spoken by the Buddha? The Buddha-Dharma: Pure and Simple series is an exploration of over 300 topics, where Venerable Master Hsing Yun clarifies the Buddha’s teachings in a way that is accessible and relevant to modern readers. Erroneous Buddhist views should be corrected, the true meaning of the Dharma must be preserved in order to hold true to the original intents of the Buddha. All Buddhist practice begins with right view, for it is the compass that points toward the true path of cultivation. This fourth installment continues laying the groundwork of this foundation by addressing age-old misconceptions. Covering a wide range of social issues from the perspective of the Buddha-Dharma, Venerable Master offers readers a practical but profound approach to Buddhist practice in daily life.

"This is the clearest and most precise exposition of Buddhism I have ever read. If you're looking for enlightenment rather than just scholarly knowledge, you'd better read this." --Robert Pirsig, author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance In Buddhism Plain and Simple, Zen priest and longtime teacher Steve Hagen presents the heart of Buddhist teachings, pared down to its essence and explained in simple, everyday language. This best-selling book is the perfect guide to Buddhism for beginners; the text has served international readers at all levels of study and practice since it was originally published over a decade ago. More than 300,000 copies in various formats have sold to date, and now it's available in this brand new edition with a high-quality binding and paper, as well as elegant decorative illustrations scattered throughout. Practiced by more than 1.2 million Americans and 2-3 million Europeans, Buddhism has become one of the West's largest religions. Whether you're simply interested in learning more about Buddhist philosophy, or hope to begin practicing but don't know where to start, Buddhism Plain and Simple will help you on your way. "This is a book about awareness. Not awareness of something in particular, but awareness itself--being awake, alert and in touch with what is actually happening. It's about examining and exploring the most basic questions of life. It's about relying on the immediate experience of this present moment. It's about freedom of mind. It's not about belief, doctrine, formula, or tradition." --from the Introduction

Upasika Kee was a uniquely powerful spiritual teacher. Evocative of the great Ajahn Chah, her teachings are earthy, refreshingly direct, and hard-hitting. In the twentieth century, she grew to become one of the most famous teachers in Thailand--male or female--all the more remarkable because, rarer still, she was not a monastic but a layperson. Her relentless honesty, along with her encouraging voice, is one reason so many contemporary Buddhist teachers recall Upasika Kee so fondly, and so often. With this book, readers seeking something reminiscent of the classic Mindfulness in Plain English can receive instruction on meditation practice as they become acquainted with the legacy of a renowned Buddhist figure. Pure and Simple, the first widely-available collection of her writings, will be gratefully received not only by those who knew Upasika Kee, but by anyone who encounters her for the first time in its pages.

This inspiring and enlightening collection of 70 Buddhist stories told by Dharma Master Cheng Yen exemplifies how the karmic law of cause and effect plays out in people's lives--unwholesome karma is created by deeply rooted negative habitual tendencies, eventually leading to undesirable consequences. By learning the Dharma, however, people will understand the truths of suffering and will come to realize the manifold blessings in their lives. They will be further inspired to tread the Bodhisattva Path and to practice the Six Paramitas. It is only by doing so that they can return to their original, intrinsic, and pure Buddha-nature, which is inherent in all living beings. People are sentient beings with an intrinsic Buddha-nature, but when they are influenced by their environment, inauspicious causes and conditions cause them accumulate complex and negative habitual tendencies, which can cause them to turn away from their Buddha-nature. In order for them to return to their pure and wholesome nature, they must follow the right method. This means that they must walk the Bodhisattva-path, putting the teachings into practice and trusting in the karmic law of cause and effect. By liberating themselves from suffering and working to eliminate negative habitual tendencies, the purity of their Buddha-nature can shine forth again. 'The sutras are a path; this path is a road for us to walk on.' Ordinary people traveling on life's journey do not realize that one ignorant thought can create subtle afflictions. If we do not clearly recognize karma and its nature, habitual tendencies in thoughts and actions can become deeply rooted and give rise to more karma. Going from the worldly path to the path of the Bodhisattva, we abide by the Four Great Vows in our hearts and practice the Four Infinite Minds and the Six Paramitas in our actions. Only then can we penetrate the essence of the sutras and thus return to our pure nature. Only then will we realize that the mind, the Buddha, and sentient beings are no different in their nature. Everyone has Buddha-nature, and everyone is innately capable of attaining the same virtue as the Buddha!'

This book is part of a collection of sayings by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. The master compiled over one thousand verses from his lectures, speeches, diary entries and Dharma talks. These sayings are dedicated to the society of today, to serve as mottoes for us in dealing with our daily affairs and interaction with each other.