The Essence of Buddha: The Path to Enlightenment

by Ryuho Okawa

Overview

The Essence of Buddha offers a contemporary interpretation of the way to enlightenment in simple and easy words, written by a highly revered Japanese spiritual leader, Ryuho Okawa. The fundamental tenets of the Buddhist understanding of life, such as the Eightfold Path, the Six Paramitas and the Laws of Causality are clearly explained in modern and accessible terms, along with the need for self-reflection, the nature of karma, the truth of reincarnation, and other teachings of the Buddha. The path towards enlightenment is an expansion of consciousness, moving from material concerns to an increased awareness of the unseen spiritual reality. This book will be a concise guidebook for beginners to adepts as a path to happiness through self-growth and contributing towards a better world.

Contents:

The Journey to Enlightenment
The Eightfold Path
The Six Paramitas
The Concept of the Void
The Laws of Causality
The Philosophy of Human Perfection

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781942125068
Publisher:	Irh Press
Publication date:	10/01/2016
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	482,242
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Ryuho Okawa is World Teacher, Master and CEO of Happy Science Group (a global utopian movement), and international best-selling author with a simple goal: to help people find true happiness and create a better world. Okawa’s deep compassion and sense of responsibility for the happiness of each individual has prompted him to publish over 2,800 titles of religious, spiritual, and self-development teachings, covering a broad range of topics including how our thoughts influence reality, the nature of love and the path to enlightenment. Okawa also writes on topics of management, the economy, and the relationship between religion and politics in a global context. Okawa’s books have been translated into 31 languages, and many of them have become best-selling titles, with over 100 million copies sold worldwide.

Editorial Reviews

Claiming that he possesses "the same transcendental powers as Shakyamuni" Buddha himself, Okawa, founder of The Institute for Research in Human Happiness, offers his unique perspective on several core Buddhist concepts. He begins by briefly reviewing pivotal moments in the life of the historical Buddha. He then describes and comments on the Eightfold Path and the Six Paramitas, specific disciplines-such as diligent meditation and the giving of offerings-designed to activate the believer's latent inner wisdom and hasten enlightenment. The remainder of the book is devoted to Okawa's take on such Buddhist concepts as the void, the law of causality and reincarnation. Unfortunately, Okawa's distinctly religious, even sectarian, perspective makes his explanations something of a curiosity. With the steadfast conviction of a true believer, he grounds his discussion in an esoteric cosmology where seekers of truth are beset by evil spirits and devils, a "science of the spirit . . . goes beyond Einstein's theory of relativity" and powerful spirit beings inhabit multiple dimensions, overseeing the development of beings on many planets, including Earth, over tens of millions of years. The writing itself, though pleasantly formal, at times becomes sentimental, even oddly evangelical (exceptional seekers can gain quicker spiritual progress if they "allow tears of repentance... to stream down their cheeks"). Though some readers will find this book informative, more will finish it with questions regarding Okawa's personal beliefs than with a deeper understanding of the essence of Buddha. (Apr. 15) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly