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A collection of studies of spiritual leaders who have made their mark on the century - including Krishnamurti, Gurdjieff, Martin Buber, Rudolf Steiner, Aldous Huxley and 14 others. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Seesaw, a wonderful read about two great artists!!!
Anne Bancroft has been my favorite actress since I was 12 years old.She was always very private, so finding information about her was difficult.I happened across this book in a bargain bin in a department store, and was in heaven.It had what turns out to be fairly accurate information, and is a beautiful love story between two unlikely people.I was so excited at the time, and to this day, treasure the copy I have.The author admits that Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft did not authorize the biography, but true to his word, I have never found out anything he wrote of was inaccurate.There are a few photos, and the author goesback and forth with each chapter between Mel and Anne until the time that they finally come together.If you like Anne Bancroft or Mel Brooks, this would be a wonderful book to read. ... Read more

Product Description
Here is the core of the Buddha's teaching in his own words, as it was memorized word-for-word by his disciples and written down two hundred years after his death. These selections from the Buddhist scriptures deal with the search for truth, the way of contemplation, life and death, living in community, and many other topics, serving as an excellent introduction to the Buddha's teaching. Whether addressed to monks and nuns, householders, outcastes, or thieves, the Buddha's teachings are characterized by one main concern: conveying the reality of our bondage to suffering-- and the supremely good news that liberation is possible. It is a concern as relevant for people today as it was for the people of north India a millennium and a half ago.

Putting down all barriers, let your mind be full of love. Let it pervade all the quarters of the world so that the whole wide world, above, below, and around, is pervaded with love. Let it be sublime and beyond measure so that it abounds everywhere.

The way toward liberation is to train yourself to live in the present without waiting to become anything. Give up becoming this or that, live without cravings, and experience this present moment with full at-tention. Then you will neither cringe at death nor seek for repeated birth.

Meditate on that which is beyond words and symbols. Forsake the demands of the self. By such forsaking, you will live serenely.
Amazon.com Review
If you're looking for an introduction to Buddhism but don't want your information secondhand, The Buddha Speaks is the book for you. Anne Bancroft takes us right into the Buddha's own words, delivering his opinions direct from the sutras on such topics as love, mind, death, wisdom, and society. The words are wise and as relevant today as they were 2,000 years ago. On love: "A mother, even at the risk of her own life, protects her child.... In the same way should you cultivate love without measure toward all beings." On the mind: "This mind is like a fish out of water that thrashes and throws itself about, its thoughts following each of its cravings.... How good it is to control it and know the happiness of freedom." On society: "Hatred does not come to an end through hatred but can only cease through generosity." The Buddha's teachings are considered a refuge by Buddhists around the world, and The Buddha Speaks reconstructs this sanctuary wherever you are. --Brian Bruya ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

First book i read on buddhism
Like the title, this is the first book i read when looking into the topic of buddhism, besides the World Encyclopedia ( my desire to learn about Buddhism was great so i read anything i could on it)

I found this book at a Barnes & Noble book store and looked in the eastern philosophy section, and this one caught my eye. Its a not a huge book, but its just the right size, both in physical size and in page length. On a side note, i liked the paper it was printed with.

Always wanting to get the purist representation of Buddhism, i looked for actual scripture oh Buddhism, and this book had actual accounted quotes he made.

So i felt that was a great start. And i must say, that i took many wonderful things from this book as i ready it. Many a times i felt a bolt realization when id read over a certain passage, i felt a sense of happiness i never knew before. I felt some peace, i felt clarity and again so much peace. As i read some statements, some of the scripture would really hit me and speak to me, it gave me i sort of high. I felt wonderful, learning and realizing thing about the world and my self and about truth.

I would later find actual recorded sutras in books and things from other authors, but this was a great place to start. I learned so much and was deeply touched and inspired by some of things said. Each time id visit the book store, id go and find this book, until i finally read it all.

It was like a daily devotional for me. I even took notes. Within the experience i had of being a Buddhist, i always remember the wonderful beautiful transcending peace that i had. The oneness i felt with the earth and nature. The mastering of my mind and the body. I was alive and in turn put me in the best shape physically. Life was simple as i slowly realized more and more.

This book changed my life becouse it is what encouraged me to follow the Buddhist way. So that was a big life changer. This was one of first favorite Buddhist books.

Great memorable book when i was a buddhist. Recalling all that, it makes me want to consider it again, to put into practice. Recommended

DIRECT FROM THE BUDDHA
Anne Bancroft does a wonderful job of giving us the ACTUAL words of the Buddha and only the Buddha. She selflessly steps aside and let's Buddha's words speak for themselves. Many introductory books on Buddhism or Buddha's teaching are filled with miles and miles and miles and miles of commentary and interpretation by the editors as if they themselves were the enlightened one and Buddha is just an afterthought. They go on and on about what they think Buddhism is and what they think Buddha means and what we should think about what the Buddha said. Occasionally we'll get a snippet of what Buddha actually said, usually only to support the author's interpretation. In many of these books I wondered when if ever I would ever read what Buddha actually said. Buddha was a very literate and lucid speaker. I think most anyone can understand his words if you can just get your hands on what he actually said. We don't need miles of interpretation, commentary and present day scenarios. Buddha's words are as valid today as they were 2500+ years ago. Anyone can understand them if you could just read them in a simple and comfortably arranged fashion like this book. With only a wonderfully brief 2-1/2 page preface, we get right into what Buddha actually said. What a concept! Kudos to Anne Bancroft.Anne does a great job of culling out great gems from the vast Buddhist texts. It's an introductory book, so the deepest teachings are only hinted at here and there but they're there. You begin feeling calm and well as the the Buddha was supremely calm and well in mind, body and soul. Books of commentary probably have there place somewhere but it is really nice to have an editor just let the words speak for themselves. If you want the truth, plain and simple, with a book that you can read again and again even ten years from now, get this book. Thank You Anne Bancroft.

Like having the Buddha by your side
This will be a welcome addition to your Buddhist book collection. Anne Bancroft has done a wonderful job of collecting and arranging some of the Buddha's most enlightening sayings.I must say that I enjoyed reading thismore thna any other book on the topic in recent memory.I promise you thatyou will want to buy more than one copy of this book, as you will find yourself handing it out to everyone of your friends and family who ask thequestion, "Say what is that Buddhism all about?"Enjoy. . . ... Read more

Product Description
Here is the core of the Buddha’s teaching in his own words, as it was memorized word-for-word by his disciples and written down two hundred years after his death. These selections from the Buddhist scriptures deal with the search for truth, the way of contemplation, life and death, living in community, and many other topics, serving as an excellent small introduction to the Buddha’s teaching. Whether addressed to monks and nuns, householders, outcastes, or thieves, the Buddha’s teachings are characterized by one main concern: conveying the reality of our bondage to suffering—and the supremely good news that liberation is possible. It is a concern as relevant for people today as it was for the people of north India a millennium and a half ago. ... Read more

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Traditionally most gurus, philosophers, and religious leaders have been men. But in this fascinating and thought-provoking book, Bancroft provides the feminine approach to mysticism by examining the methods and teachings of fifteen women who have developed their own insights into what the author calls the "truth that goes beyond the ordinary." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

mystical seeker
Weavers of Wisdom is a solid contribution to the collection of material supporting the belief that there are contemporary mystics living amongst us.We usually only read of cloistered mystics of the past; this book is filled with stories and examples of female mystics who live among people and experience the holy in their daily life. I recommend this small book for any who seek a deepening in their spiritual life.

Zen according to.....
A friend said "You have to read this." I did and it started me on a new journey and I'm still enjoying the ride. If you're looking to renew your outlook on you and life, give this a try.

Excellent Introductions
First, an appeal to Amazon: Get the title right! The all-important word MYSTICS (after "women") definitely belongs there!!! Second, I only rarely grant 5 stars to a book. This is an excellent set ofintroductions to women of great wisdom. ... Read more

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Chapters: Deaths From Heart Cancer, Deaths From Uterine Cancer, Ann Dunham, Agnes Moorehead, Anne Bancroft, Eric Carr, Evelyn Keyes, Lurleen Wallace, Rocío Dúrcal, Nancy Lamott, Gwen Guthrie, Sheela Basrur, Kim Stanley, Shari Lewis, Sarah Jacobson, Kage Baker, Diana Sands, Mimi Lerner, Valentina Bartolomasi, Rashid Jahan, Jane Senior, Marta Gonzalez. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 109. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Stanley Ann Dunham (November 29, 1942 November 7, 1995), the mother of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, was an American anthropologist who specialized in economic anthropology and rural development. Dunham was nicknamed Anna, later known as Dr. Stanley Ann Dunham Soetoro, and finally Ann Dunham Sutoro. Born in Kansas, Dunham spent her childhood in California, Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas and her teenage years in Mercer Island, Washington, and much of her adult life in Hawaii and Indonesia. Dunham studied at the University of Hawaii and the East-West Center and attained a bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. in anthropology. Interested in craftsmanship, weaving and the role of women in cottage industries, Dunham's research focused on women's work on the island of Java and blacksmithing in Indonesia. To address the problem of poverty in rural villages, she created microcredit programs while working as a consultant for the United States Agency for International Development. Dunham was also employed by the Ford Foundation in Jakarta and she consulted with the Asian Development Bank in Pakistan. Towards the latter part of her life, she worked with Bank Rakyat Indonesia, where she helped apply her research to the largest microfinance program in the world. After her son assumed the presidency, interest renewed in Dunham's work: The University of Hawaii held...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=9478182 ... Read more

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Annie Dillard found the sacred in the natural world. Iris Murdoch in a quest for good. Danah Zohar converted to Judaism. From the astonishing career of surgeon Sheila Cassidy, who was imprisoned for her beliefs in Chile, to the transformation of Elaine MacInnes from Catholic missionary to Zen master, these biographies of ten very different women offer a thoughtful and enlightening study of women's spiritual lives. ... Read more

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This book looks at eight of the largest new religious groups; the Mormons; the Rastafarians; the Unification Church ('Moonies'); Transcendental Meditation; the Baha'is; Jehovah's Witnesses; Hare Krishnas, and the Rajneeshis. It also describes their histories, beliefs and daily lives. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Best Prose Book EVER!
Hi, I am a high school student and own this book.I use it at debate tournaments and it works great even though we only get 7 min, 30 secs to read the story and would recommend this book to any person out there! VERY SCARY! ... Read more

Product Description
The teachings of the Buddha are both profoundly simple and richly complex. They have been the basis for one of Asia's major religions for over 1,000 years, yet it is only in the last century that Buddhism has achieved recognition in the West. This book explains the beliefs common to Buddhists everywhere, and explores the variety of ways in which these are practised and describes the place of festivals, pilgrimage and mediation in the life of the believer. ... Read more

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Publisher: New Haven, Conn. : Tuttle, Morehouse ... Read more