Humanistic Buddhism: A Blueprint For Life

¡§The rationale for Humanistic Buddhism derives from the Buddha¡K because the Buddha was born, cultivated the path, became enlightened, and strived to enlighten others in this world. For the Buddha, it is this world that should take precedence. He lived among the people, and what he transmitted is Humanistic Buddhism,¡¨ Venerable Master Hsing Yun writes in Humanistic Buddhism: A Blueprint for Life. Founder of the Fo Guang Shan (Buddha¡¦s Light Mountain) Buddhist Order and one of the leading teachers of our time, Master Hsing Yun reveals the profundity of the Buddha¡¦s teachings by demonstrating how they are ideal guides for living happier lives in this world.

In the book¡¦s preface, James A. Santucci explains that ¡§Humanistic Buddhism: A Blueprint for Life, is the clearest exposition yet of Humanistic Buddhism. It is Buddhism minus the regional, doctrinal, ritual, and traditional limitations that so often equate Buddhism with a particular ethnic or cultural group. It is a Buddhism that seeks to improve the individual and society, the inner self and the outer social environment. It discusses the physical body, emotions, morality and ethics, relationships with family and society, government, globalism, and nature and the environment: in brief, the human condition in its entirety.¡¨

Told with a clear and compassionate voice, Venerable Master Hsing Yun sets out a plan for developing wisdom and compassion, even in the most difficult of situations. What we have to gain by these lessons is significant: to awaken to life, to see all of its possibilities and choices. All of these lessons taken together show us that to practice loving-kindness, to attain true peace of mind, is to be truly happy.