This is a new release of the original 1931 edition.

This is a new release of the original 1931 edition.

“Like a shadow that does not depart” is the exciting biography of Ananda, Buddha’s attendant during the last 25 years of his life. In an age before writing, Ananda heard and memorized all of Buddha’s estimated 84,000 sermons and 15,000 stanzas without omitting a syllable. He also strongly advocated a Buddhist order of nuns, which Buddha approved. Although Ananda did not become enlightened until Buddha’s parinirvanization, he was de facto Chief-of-Staff for Buddha. Ananda scheduled Buddha’s appointments, so he exerted enormous power over who could see Buddha, even the senior enlightened arhats, who technically out-ranked Ananda. Ananda implemented important organizational changes in the sangha as it grew; thereby giving Buddha a planned, structured system for his travels and sermons. He was Buddha’s constant shadow. He ministered to Buddha’s needs. He set up Buddha’s camp when the sangha was traveling. He guarded Buddha with his ever-present staff. Ananda was one of Buddha’s pivotal disciples. Without his incredible photographic memory and methodical approach, it is questionable whether Buddhism would have grown into a major religion.

Brian takes us on a journey into the paradox of the human condition, to the depths of human suffering, where there exists the transformational healing opportunity of waking up to the essence of who we are. This is described in many contemplative wisdom traditions that point to a reality that exists beyond the identification with the separate self - the sense of me; to a reality that is unconditioned and considered the ultimate medicine to pain and suffering. With the phases of the Moon serving as a metaphor for waking up out of the darkness of the separate self, this book opens our eyes to the healing power of awakening to our true nature in the midst of some of our most terrifying experiences. The states of confusion, fear, and shame; the experiences of trauma, addictions, grief and loss, and the suffering of spiritual seeking itself, can be met with the restorative power of awakening. When we embody surrender, grace, attention and openness in our darkest moments, we can begin to see that in the evening of despair, lies the moonlight of our own awakening.

The bestselling Journey to the West comic book by artist Chang Boon Kiat is now back in a brand new fully coloured edition. Journey to the West is one of the greatest classics in Chinese literature. It tells the epic tale of the monk Xuanzang who journeys to the West in search of the Buddhist sutras with his disciples, Sun Wukong, Sandy and Pigsy. Along the way, Xuanzang's life was threatened by the diabolical White Bone Spirit, the menacing Red Child and his fearsome parents and, a host of evil spirits who sought to devour Xuanzang's flesh to attain immortality. Bear witness to the formidable Sun Wukong's (Monkey God) prowess as he takes them on, using his Fiery Eyes, Golden Cudgel, Somersault Cloud, and quick wits! Be prepared for a galloping read that will leave you breathless!

In the fifth installment of manga-godfather Osamu Tezuka's Buddha, engagement with death imparts the lesson of life's sanctity. In a Machiavellian rise to power, Devadatta, a rogue aristocrat, incites war between two kingdoms that will leave thousands dead. King Bimisara of Magadha, fearing death his son's own hand, withdraws fatherly love. The true measure of the Buddha's divinity will turn out to be a test of diplomacy - the power of words.