Be an Island: The Buddhist Practice of Inner Peace - Softcover

Ayya Khema

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0861711475 ISBN 13: 9780861711475

Publisher: Wisdom Publications, 1999

Synopsis

From the best-selling author of Being Nobody, Going Nowhere, Ayya Khema's Be an Island guides us along the path of Buddhist meditation with direct and practical advice, giving us contemplative tools to develop a healthy sense of personal being. Be an Island is at once an introduction to the teachings of Buddhism and a rich continuation of Ayya Khema's personal vision of Buddhist practice.

About this title

Review:

Ayya Khema is like that pesky little angel on our shoulder, except instead of saying, "Don't do this" or "Don't do that," she reminds us to pay attention and keep growing. One of the best Western exponents of the Buddhist path, Khema organizes her lectures in Be an Island around the Buddha's exhortation to be an island unto yourself. By taking refuge in Buddhist teachings and the Buddhist community, you can escape the petty concerns of the self and become an anchor for others. In disarmingly practical language, Ayya Khema teaches us that true practice is getting the tiny details of life right, the middling moments--thinking before we speak, recognizing greed and generosity in ourselves and others, making the mind pliable at all times. Like a weekly lecture series, this is the type of book you'll want to go back to, placing it near an altar or spiritual nook for easy access. --Brian Bruya

About the Author:

Born in Berlin in 1923 to Jewish parents, Ayya Khema was educated in Scotland and China and later emigrated to the United States. The author of twenty-five books, she was ordained as a nun in Sri Lanka in 1979 and established several Buddhist centers, including Wat Buddha Dhamma in Australia, Parapuddua Nun's Island in Sri Lanka, and Buddha Haus in Germany. In 1987 she coordinated the first-ever International Conference of Buddhist Nuns. She passed away in 1997.

About this edition

• Publisher: Wisdom Publications
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0861711475
• ISBN 13: 9780861711475
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 135