Books

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By Nina van Gorkom, published on April 15th 1994, ISBN 1 897633 12 2, 160 pages, paperback, 210mm x 148mm, price £7.95, $11.95.

A general introduction to the main ideas of Theravada Buddhism. The purpose of this book is to help the reader gain insight into the Buddhist scriptures and the way in which the teachings can be used to benefit both ourselves and others in everyday life. Several chapters are written in the form of question and answer, inspired by questions posed by ordinary people who were confronted with difficulties in the practical application of the teachings. The book will be an invaluable aid for those individuals who wish to develop the Buddhist path to true understanding. Suitable for both practising Buddhists and newcomers to the teachings.

General Aspects, Right Understanding in Daily Life, Wholesome Deeds , Mental Development, The Buddha , The Dhamma, The Sangha, Death, Life, The Development Of Calm, Vipassanā, The Eightfold Path, Factors of The Eightfold Path, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration, The Greatest Blessings.

by Nina van Gorkom

Press Release Reality made Real

Abhidhamma in Daily Life is an exposition of absolute realities in detail. Abhidhamma means higher doctrine and the book's purpose is to encourage the right application of Buddhism in order to eradicate wrong view and eventually all defilements. Many terms in Pāli the language of early Buddhism are used and are defined as they are introduced. The book is therefore suitable for beginners as well as practising Buddhists. It is detailed and precise and an invaluable aid to unlocking the deep meaning of the entire Buddhist canon and applying the theory to our daily lives for the benefit of ourselves and others.

By Nina van Gorkom

A general introduction to physical phenomena and the way they are related to each other and to mental phenomena. The purpose of this book is to show that the study of both mental phenomena and physical phenomena is indispensable for the development of the eightfold Path. The quotations from the scriptures provide the reader with lively examples of the way the physical phenomena, which are depending on conditions, perform their functions in daily life. The study of this book will help the reader to understand the Buddha's teaching of non-self. This book is suitable for those who already have some knowledge of Buddhism. Price Uk £12.95. Published 2008, 9in x 5in, 100 pages.

By Nina van Gorkom

Why do we do what we do? why do we see what we see? Seeing, attachment, generosity, all experiences in life can arise only because of a concurrence of conditions. This book is an introduction to the seventh book of the Abhidhamma, that deals with the conditionality of life. It explains the deep underlying motives for all actions through body, speech and mind and shows that these are dependent on conditions and cannot be controlled by a ‘self’. The study of conditions is indispensable for understanding the teaching of the ‘Dependent Origination’, the factors that condition our being in the cycle of birth and death. It will help the reader to understand the meaning of the Buddha’s teaching of non-self, which can lead to the eradication of wrong view and liberation from the cycle of birth and death. This book that deals with the intricacy of conditions is suitable for those who have already made a study of the Buddha’s teachings.

Why do we do what we do? Why do we see what we see? Seeing, attachment, generosity, all experiences in life can arise only because of a concurrence of conditions. This book is an introduction to the seventh book of the Abhidhamma, that deals with the conditionality of life. It explains the deep underlying motives for all actions through body, speech and mind and shows that these are dependent on conditions and cannot be controlled by a ‘self’. The study of conditions is indispensable for understanding the teaching of the ‘Dependent Origination’ and the meaning of the Buddha’s teaching of non-self. This book is suitable for those who have already made a study of the Buddha’s teachings. Price UK £10. Published July 2010. 9.25in x 7.5in, 144 pages.

By Nina van Gorkom

The Perfections leading to Enlightenment is now published and is available to order via amazon in US and UK. The Perfections is a study of the ten good qualities: generosity, morality, renunciation, wisdom, energy, patience, truthfulness, determination, loving-kindness, and equanimity. It shows when they are considered perfections and what hinders them. It shows the importance of developing them in daily life and how their cultivation is essential for the complete eradication of all defilements. Many quotes are used from the the original scriptures of Theravada Buddhism and for precision of understanding some Pāli terms are used. The author is a prolific writer and broadcaster of Buddhist scriptures and has had several books published worldwide.

Published 2007. Price UK £12.95. 9in x 6 in, 200 pages.

A Survey of Paramattha Dhammas is a guide to the development of the Buddha's path of wisdom, covering all aspects of human life and human behaviour, good and bad. This study explains that right understanding is indispensable for mental development, the development of calm as well as the development of insight The author describes in detail all mental phenomena (citta and cetasika), and physical phenomena (rūpa) and explains the processes of mental phenomena that experience objects through the sense-doors and the mind-door. The last chapters are in the form of questions and answers and deal with the problems one may face in the development of insight. For precision many Pāli terms are used but nevertheless the book could be appreciated by both beginners and as well as those who have more background knowledge. Contents

Part 1 General Introduction

Part 11 Citta

Part 111 Concepts

Part 1V The Development of Samatha

Part V1 Dialogue on Vipassanā

Appendices

By Sujin Boriharnwanaket

Translated from the original Thai by Nina van Gorkom ISBN 1 897633 14 9, 128 pages, paperback, 210mm x 135mm, price £ 7.95, $ 11.95. Published 14th February 1995.

An introduction to the basic Buddhist teachings of mettā, loving kindness, and its practical application in today's world. The book is a compilation of lectures given by the author, Ms. Sujin Boriharnwanaket, in the Boranives Temple, Bangkok, for mixed groups of scholars, monks and lay people. Part of the book features questions and answers raised during the lectures. Although some background of Buddhism is assumed much of the text would be appreciated by the complete beginner. Contents:

Conditions and impediments-Overcoming anger-Practice in daily life-Characteristics of mettā-Metta in action and speech-Benefits of mettā-Blessings of mettā-Cause and result in life-Mettā: the foundation of the world, Glossary, Selected texts.

First edition, author: Nina van Gorkom, ISBN 1897633 18 1, 416 pages, 216mm x 135mm, hardback, price £24, Publication date 1st April 1999.

Cetasika means belonging to the mind. It is a mental factor which accompanies consciousness (citta) and experiences an object. There are 52 cetasikas. This book gives an outline of each of these 52 cetasikas and shows the relationship they have with each other. It will help the student have more understanding of the intricate operations of the mind enabling the development of good qualities and the eventual eradication of all defilements. It will help to understand that citta and cetasika act according to their own conditions and that an abiding agent (soul or self) is not to be found. The book assumes some previous knowledge of Buddhism.

Preface Introduction

Part I: The Universals:

Chapter I: Contact (phassa), Chapter 2: Feeling (vedanā), Chapter 3: Perception (sa) Chapter 4: Volition (cetanā), Chapter 5: Volition in the Cycle of Birth and Death, Chapter 6: Concentration (ekaggatā), Chapter 7: Vitality (jīvitindriya) and Attention (manasikāra)

Part II: The Particulars (Pakiṇṇakā)

Chapter 8: Applied thinking (vitakka), sustained thinking (vicāra), Chapter 9: Determination (adhimokkha) and Energy (viriya), Chapter 10: Right Effort of the eightfold Path, Chapter 11: Enthusiasm (pīti), Chapter 12: Zeal (chanda)

Part III: Akusala Cetasikas

Chapter 13 : Introduction, Chapter 14: Ignorance, Shamelessness, Recklessness and Restlessness, Chapter 15: Attachment (lobha), Chapter 16: Wrong View (diṭṭhi), Chapter 17: Conceit (māna), Chapter 18: Aversion (dosa), Chapter 19: Envy (issā), Stinginess (macchariya), Regret (kukkucca), Chapter 20: Sloth (thīna), Torpor (middha) and Doubt (vicikicchā), Chapter 21: Different Groups of Defilements Part I, Chapter 22: Different Groups of Defilements Part II, Chapter 23: Different Groups of Defilements Part III

Part IV: Beautiful Cetasikas (Sobhana Cetasikas)

Chapter 24: Introduction, Chapter 25: Confidence (saddhā), Chapter 26: Mindfulness (sati), Chapter 27: Moral Shame and Fear of Blame (hiri and ottappa), Chapter 28: Non-Attachment (alobha), Chapter 29: Non-Aversion (adosa), Chapter 30: Equanimity (tatramajjhattatā), Chapter 31: Six Pairs of Beautiful Cetasikas; tranquillity of body, kāya-passaddhi; tranquillity of mind, citta-passaddhi; lightness of cetasikas, kāya-lahutā; lightness of citta, citta-lahutā; pliancy of cetasikas, kāya-muditā; pliancy of citta, citta-muditā; wieldiness of cetasikas, kāya-kammanta; wieldiness of citta, citta-kammanta; proficiency of cetasikas, kāya-pāguññatā; proficiency of citta, citta-pāguññatā at; uprightness of cetasika, kāya-ujukatā; uprightness of citta, citta-ujukatā, Chapter 32: The Three Abstinences (virati-cetasikas); abstinence from wrong speech, vaci-duccarita virati; abstinence from wrong action, kāya-duccarita virati; abstinence from wrong livelihood, ājīva-duccarita virati, Chapter 33: Compassion (karuṇā) and Sympathetic Joy (muditā), Chapter 34: Understanding (pañña) Chapter 35: The Stages of Insight Chapter 36: Wholesome Deeds

Appendix 1: Appendix to Chapter 2, Feelings, Appendix 2: Appendix to chapter 5, Appendix 3: Appendix to Chapter 8, Appendix 4: Appendix to Chapter 9, Appendix 5: Appendix to Chapter 11, Appendix 6: Appendix to chapter 12, Appendix 7: Appendix to Chapter 20, Summary of Akusala Cetasikas , Appendix 8: Appendix to chapter 31, Nineteen Sobhana Cetasikas which accompany each Sobhana Citta: Six Sobhana Cetasikas which do not accompany each Sobhana Citta, Appendix 9: The Stages of Insight Three stages of tender insight (taruṇa vipassanā), Glossary, Index

By Nina van Gorkom

ISBN 1 897633 11 4, 123 pages, paperback, 148mm x 210mm, price £ 7.95, $ 11.95, published October 6 th 1993.

The purpose of this book is to show that the Buddhas Path to true understanding has to be developed in daily life. It explains the pitfalls one will come across while developing this path and the way to overcome them. The book is composed of letters written in answer to questions about the practice and is suitable for those who already have a background knowledge of Buddhism but who seek a deeper understanding.

By Nina van Gorkom, published on April 15th 1994, ISBN 1 897633 12 2, 160 pages, paperback, 210mm x 148mm, price£ 7.95, $ 11.95.

An Introduction to the doctrine of Theravada Buddhism for those who have no previous knowledge. The four noble Truths - suffering - the origin of suffering - the cessation of suffering - and the way leading to the end of suffering - are explained as a philosophy and a practical guide which can be followed in todays world.

Introduction, The truth of suffering, The truth of non-self, The mind,Deeds and their results, Good deeds and a wholesome life, Meditation and The eightfold Path Glossary, Index.

by Sujin Boriharnwanaket

Taking Refuge in Buddhism is an introduction to the development of insight meditation. The book is composed of lectures and discussions with Cambodians. Although some background knowledge of Buddhism is assumed, it could also be appreciated by the beginner.

Price UK £8.00. Published 2000