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Currently: 'The Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien (this seems to have become yearly reading for me in recent years, as this is like my 3rd reading of it since 2011, and, I think, my 5th overall) 'The Glory of Their Times' by Lawrence S. Ritter 'The Sheltering Sky' by Paul Bowles 'The Grapes of Wrath' by John Steinbeck (2nd reading)
A Short History Of Time by Stephen Hawkins. Well I haven't actually read it. It is displayed prominently on my bookcase with a bookmark one third in to create a good impression. I was thinking of getting the Russian translation to sit next to it unread, but I am worried that might be going too far. I wouldn't want folk to think I am showing off.
Second reading of With Each & Every Breath: A Guide to Meditation, which I highly recommend. I'm going through the additional readings and talks at the end of each chapter this time, which is slow, but they make such great preliminaries to meditation sessions.
Am now reading Long Walk to Freedom; Mandela's autobiography. I'm about half way through now, shortly after the formation of the MK military branch of the ANC. I have to say, from what I've read so far, I now understand the problems SA was going through at the time but Mandela himself doesn't come across as the peaceful sort. His view was that peaceful protest was only good as long as it worked tactically, if it didn't work then he would happily resort to militant methods hence the formation of the MK. I'm learning a lot from the book, about people, culture and politics. Much enjoying it and would recommend to anyone who hasn't already read it.
It is not exactly a translation of the 8,000 line version, but a 'contemplative expansion of forty different passages' from the text. But the book really helps vastly in understanding nonduality and emptiness, but in a way that is necessarily and intimately linked to compassion--or actually, wisdom and compassion are not two different things at all--they are one and the same expression of suchness.
The sentences are arranged in such a way that revelatory connections are made during the process of focused reading. The content isn't exactly discursive, but more intuitive. I don't know if that makes sense to anyone. Dogen can have that effect sometimes too--but I'd still say this is more approachable than Dogen (who can easily appear bewildering).
@riverflow my "favorite" whatever-that-means version of the Diamond Sutra is a pdf I found in a big pack of "buddhism ebooks" it's by hsuan hua on BuddhaNet
I later found Red Pine's translation through the library. Didn't really have the same oomph for me as Hsuan Hua's commentary. That is cool though that you have been going through his transcripts. Sounds like you're ready for a retreat haha
It is not exactly a translation of the 8,000 line version, but a 'contemplative expansion of forty different passages' from the text. But the book really helps vastly in understanding nonduality and emptiness, but in a way that is necessarily and intimately linked to compassion--or actually, wisdom and compassion are not two different things at all--they are one and the same expression of suchness.
The sentences are arranged in such a way that revelatory connections are made during the process of focused reading. The content isn't exactly discursive, but more intuitive. I don't know if that makes sense to anyone. Dogen can have that effect sometimes too--but I'd still say this is more approachable than Dogen (who can easily appear bewildering).
All I am saying is... wow!
Having just seen your message, yes. What you say makes sense. Words bubble up on and about it from habit, what is alluded to is nonconceptual, like taking a swim instead of just thinking about it.
Wisdom and Compassion are indeed the same! Very good very good! Hugs and high fives all around
Currently reading "What the Buddha Never Taught" by Tim Ward. Not sure what I think about his take on Thai monastic life at Wat Pah Nanachat... and maybe that's a good thing.
Thank you @sova - I've bookmarked the translation and commentary on the DIamond Sutra. I've read Red Pine's (which is good, but doesn't seem as focused as his book on the Heart Sutra) and I have yet to read Thich Nhat Hanh's commentary on the Diamond Sutra. Truly wonder-full!
I'm reading Dreams from Bunker Hill by John Fante (fiction) and slowly making my way through Geshe Kelsang Gyatso's Joyful Path of Good Fortune, as well as his free ebook Modern Buddhism: The Path of Compassion and Wisdom, which is much faster reading.
In Science fiction: Now I'm reading the Honor Harrington Space Opera Series. That you can get all free digital copy without DRM from Baen Books http://www.baen.com/
Comments
And a non-Buddhist classic: The Hobbit
'The Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien (this seems to have become yearly reading for me in recent years, as this is like my 3rd reading of it since 2011, and, I think, my 5th overall)
'The Glory of Their Times' by Lawrence S. Ritter
'The Sheltering Sky' by Paul Bowles
'The Grapes of Wrath' by John Steinbeck (2nd reading)
I think that's basically it.
Well I haven't actually read it.
It is displayed prominently on my bookcase with a bookmark one third in to create a good impression.
I was thinking of getting the Russian translation to sit next to it unread, but I am worried that might be going too far.
I wouldn't want folk to think I am showing off.
It is not exactly a translation of the 8,000 line version, but a 'contemplative expansion of forty different passages' from the text. But the book really helps vastly in understanding nonduality and emptiness, but in a way that is necessarily and intimately linked to compassion--or actually, wisdom and compassion are not two different things at all--they are one and the same expression of suchness.
The sentences are arranged in such a way that revelatory connections are made during the process of focused reading. The content isn't exactly discursive, but more intuitive. I don't know if that makes sense to anyone. Dogen can have that effect sometimes too--but I'd still say this is more approachable than Dogen (who can easily appear bewildering).
All I am saying is... wow!
Here's a link if you're interested: http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/prajparagen2.pdf
I later found Red Pine's translation through the library. Didn't really have the same oomph for me as Hsuan Hua's commentary. That is cool though that you have been going through his transcripts. Sounds like you're ready for a retreat haha
Wisdom and Compassion are indeed the same! Very good very good! Hugs and high fives all around
http://www.dharmaweb.org/index.php/No_Ajahn_Chah:_Reflections
Now I'm reading the Honor Harrington Space Opera Series. That you can get all free digital copy without DRM from Baen Books
http://www.baen.com/
In Buddhism:
I just get the book "Buddha's Brain" really good book about neuroscience and Buddhist.
http://www.rickhanson.net/writings/buddhas-brain
Also was reading the Diamond Sutra and Heart Sutra with commentaries.