Eastern Wisdom

Despite recent developments in the history of emotions and in comparative studies, sustained cross-cultural comparative studies of the emotions remain few and far between. Jingyi Jenny Zhao has produced the first major work that takes two philosophers from the ancient Greek and early Chinese traditions to stimulate discussion of an interdisciplinary nature on the rich and complex topic of the emotions-in particular, of shame. It features comparative analysis of Greek and Chinese texts while bringing the ancient materials to bear on modern controversies such as the role of shame in moral education and social cohesion.Although unalike in their social-historical and intellectual backgrounds, Aristotle and Xunzi bear striking similarities in several respects: they both conceptualize humans as essentially members of communities, as having a unique set of characteristics that set them apart from other living things, and as beings in need of moral training to fulfil their potential and become integrated into a well-ordered society. The two philosophers' discourses on shame reveal important insights into their ideals of human nature, moral education and the good life.This book tackles directly the methodological problems that are relevant to anyone interested in cross-cultural comparisons and organizes discussions of the ancient sources to facilitate a thorough integration of perspectives from the cultural traditions concerned. This approach provides sufficient focus to allow for detailed textual analysis while giving scope for making constant connections to the broader comparative questions at issue.

Eine Einführung in das Denken des Buddha, übersetzt in die Sprache der Gegenwart. Die Philosophie des Buddha bietet einen Einstieg in buddhistisches Denken, ohne Vorkenntnisse vorauszusetzen. Das Buch führt in zentrale Begriffe der buddhistischen Philosophie wie Leid, Karma oder Nirvana ein und erklärt anhand dieser Begriffe die Grundlagen des buddhistischen Denkens. Es zeigt, dass die zentralen Ideen des Buddha auch in der Gegenwart verständlich sind und als Philosophie, unabhängig von religiösen Bekenntnissen, diskutiert und verstanden werden können. Lebensnahe Beispiele und Fragen zur weiterführenden Diskussion und Reflexion bieten Gelegenheit zur weiteren Auseinandersetzung mit dem Text. Geeignet als Einführung für an Buddhismus und Philosophie interessierte Leser:innen.

The two books in this volume reveal what every human living today needs to know about life after death. Book One lays out indisputable evidence the brain does not create your consciousness, and that when your body dies, your consciousness will be released into a mental realm. It explains what you can expect to experience during the first minutes until you come to a border near death survivors agree is a point of no return. Book Two will lead you past that border to explore that Shakespeare called, "The undiscovered country," a mental realm each individual creates for him or herself. It also makes suggestions about actions to take now to insure the best possible outcome after death. Read what reviewers had to say about Book I:"Extraordinary findings in Stephen Martin's newest book, Life After Death, Powerful Evidence You Will Never Die, will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they burn through this well written book's pages. . . ."- Mark Davis, M.D."If you only read one book about the afterlife, I highly recommend this one. It's an extensive research project and is quite understandable for the average reader. . . ." - Alan Halverson"I couldn't put this book down. I'm 34 years old with no major health issues and have been recently dealing with a lot of anxiety over death. . . ."- Nicole Ryan"This is one of the most powerful books on this subject that I have ever read. Very inspiring."- C. Ann Clarkon"Very accessible and well-written overview of recent research supporting evidence of consciousness existing independent of the brain; as well as its implications for survival of awareness after physical death. . . ."- Keith Park, Ph.D.

This monograph approaches the Mah¿bh¿rata as a single work of literature, and the method is that of close textual study. Key verses are quoted in the original Sanskrit and in English translation. The title problem has been recognised before, but no detailed solution has been forthcoming. The monograph's objective is to try to articulate a Mah¿bh¿rata theology of time.In Chapter 1, the monograph's argument and synchronic methodology are summarised. In Chapter 2, the cycle of four yugas (world-ages) is outlined and discussed on the basis of the textual evidence. Each yuga is shorter and less moral than the last, and between them they constitute a repeating 12,000-year cycle. In Chapter 3, the Mah¿bh¿rata war is shown to be located at the junction between the third and fourth yugas. The idea of God Vi¿¿u-N¿r¿yäa descending to improve the world is introduced, and the title question is properly posed: Why does God's descent as K¿¿¿a (to make the Mah¿bh¿rata war happen) inaugurate the worst yuga? In Chapter 4, the various descents (avat¿ras, 'crossings-down') of God Vi¿¿u-N¿r¿yäa are discussed. Also discussed is a theory suggesting that the passage between yugas always requires a divine descent to effect it. The limitations of this theory are described and an alternative sketched.In Chapter 5, two general functions of divine descent are identified: to improve the world morally by killing demons, and to help the personified Earth by reducing the human weight upon her. These two functions are correlated with the two extremities of the four-yuga cycle, between which time oscillates. But the Mah¿bh¿rata war is not located at either extremity. Central to the monograph is a survey and discussion of the reasons given for this particular descent. These passages combine the two functions of divine descent, neither of which is entirely appropriate to this moment. It is argued that the descent here represents what happens over the course of the whole cycle. The discussion draws on Vedic literature, touches on gender issues, and shows how the two functions play out in the story of the war.In Chapter 6, the progress of the fourth yuga is tracked through the Mah¿bh¿rata's various characters and then the ancient audience, who would anticipate the start of the next cycle. It is hypothesised that this was to occur through the long-term action of the Mah¿bh¿rata, as more and more people would put into practice the teachings presented by K¿¿¿a in the Bhagavadg¿t¿. The K¿¿¿a avat¿ra would thus inaugurate the worst yuga because the seed planted there takes time to ripen. Chapter 7 reflects summarily upon the monograph's explorations, the theory of divine descent, and the text's theology of time. By employing a resolutely synchronic methodology the monograph makes a significant contribution on an important and latterly overlooked issue.

This book summarizes the author's extensive research on Confucian morality issues and focuses on elaborating the extremely important and unique role of moral thought in Confucian ideology. The book shares the author's own standpoints on a range of issues - including where moral thoughts originated, what the major principles are, and what methods were adopted in Confucianism - to form a comprehensive and in-depth interpretation, and help readers achieve a better understanding.Moreover, the book focuses on the similarities and differences between Chinese and western cultures and presents an in-depth analysis of the differences and roots regarding various aspects, including Chinese and western historical development paths, thoughts and cultures, national spirits, national mentalities, and social governance models. The formation of either culture has its own practical reasons and historical roots. The book represents a major contribution, helping readers understand the similarities and differences between Chinese and western cultures and social civilizations, enabling them to integrate and learn from Chinese and western cultures, and promoting a better development for Chinese society and the international community alike. Combining detailed data and an approachable style, it contributes to the legacy of Confucianism by applying a critical attitude. The author thinks out of the box in terms of theoretical analysis and studies on certain issues. As such, the book will be of great academic value in terms of studying China's ideological culture, especially its morality culture, and will benefit scholars and research institutions alike.

David Carradines "Spirit of Shaolin" behandelt die Philosophie hinter der Kampfkunst des Kung Fu. Carradine erzählt die Geschichte seiner eigenen Wandlung zum Kung-Fu-Verehrer und bietet Einblicke und Inspiration für diejenigen, die folgen möchten. Er geht auf die Weisheit der alten chinesischen Meister ein, auf die Prinzipien der Shaolin-Philosophie, die tiefere Bedeutung der Kampfkünste und ihre Relevanz für die moderne Welt. Ebenfalls enthalten sind seine zwölf eigenen Lektionen, einschließlich Anmerkungen zu Ernährung, Stretching und Meditation. Weltberühmt wurde Carradine durch die Verkörperung des Kwai Chang Caine in der beliebten Fernsehserie "Kung Fu". Sie war es auch, die ihn zum Anhänger der Shaolin-Philosophie und zum Kung-Fu-Fachmann machte. Mit der Nachfolgeserie "Kung Fu - Im Zeichen des Drachen" knüpfte er an den Erfolg des Originals an und brachte die Kunst dabei einer ganz neuen Generation nahe.

How can it be that the same story is found in Scotland and also in Pre-Columbian America? What can account for the durability and persistence of tales? Was the tale of Aladdin and his wondrous lamp really taken from Wales (where it has been found) to the ancient East and, if so, when and by whom?These questions and more are answered in Idries Shah’s remarkable volume World Tales, which is subtitled 'The extraordinary coincidence of stories told in all times, in all places.' In his introduction, Shah remarks,'Working for thirty-five years among the written and oral sources of our world heritage in tales, one feels a truly living element in them which is startlingly evident when one isolates the ‘basic’ stories; the ones which tend to have traveled farthest, to have featured in the largest number of classical collections, to have inspired great writers of the past and present.'