HEARING THE BUDDHA: FOUNDATIONS OF THE BUDDHIST PATH

With this issue, Bodhi presents the second installment in its yearlong celebration of the 2550-year anniversary of the life and teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni.

While much in the social and cultural landscape of the Buddha’s lifetime was fixed by tradition and caste, some questioned the existing worldview and engaged in spiritual experimentation and inquiry. Within this milieu, the Buddha proclaimed his profound and enduring message: Regardless of our circumstances in this life, we each possess the potential to transcend all forms and causes of suffering and achieve full awakening—the state of enlightenment. The Buddha's message was faithfully preserved and diligently practiced by his early disciples who became known as "the hearers," those who actually heard the teachings directly from the Buddha himself and then propagated them. Their own enlightened activity became the foundation of the Buddhist path and gave rise to the early schools of Buddhism, which spread through India and Southeast Asia and are still vital traditions today. Although centuries have passed, today we face the same questions: Why do we suffer? How can we transcend that suffering? What path will lead us to the fulfillment of our highest potential? The original wisdom of the Buddha speaks directly to our contemporary situation, if we also can become "hearers" of his timeless message.

THERAVADA, THE TRADITION OF THE ELDERS: BUDDHISM IN SRI LANKA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA by Thubten Chodron

SARIPUTTA: THE MARSHALL OF THE DHAMMA by Nyanaponika Thera and Hellmuth Hecker

IMAGINING THE BUDDHA: ART AND THE BUDDHA THROUGH THE AGES by Barbara Stewart

A PRAYER FOR A SWIFT JOURNEY TO THE PURE REALM by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche

THE PLOWING FESTIVAL by Judith Simmer-Brown

LIVES OF THE KARMAPAS: THE 7TH KARMAPA, CHODRAK GYATSO