Three Jewels : The Central Ideals of Buddhism Book

Contents: Preface. I. The Buddha: 1. Life and records. 2. The Bodhisattva career. 3. The life. 4. The legends. 5. Philosophical interpretations. II. The Dharma: 6. Approaches to Buddhism. 7. The essence of the Dharma. 8. Doctrinal formulas. 9. Cosmology. 10. The wheel of life. 11. The nature of existence. 12. The human situation. 13. The stages of the path. 14. The goal. III. The Sangha: 15. The assembly of the noble. 16. The glorious company of Bodhisattvas. 17. The monastic order. 18. The place of the Laity. 19. Popular Buddhism. Notes and references. Index.

"The Three Jewels are living symbols, objects of commitment and devotion in the life of every Buddhist.

The Buddha Jewel: symbol of enlightenment, particularly as embodied in Siddhartha Gautama, the man who discovered the path to human perfection.

The Dharma Jewel: symbol of the path itself, the teachings and practices that help each individual towards enlightenment.
The Sangha Jewel: symbol of the fellowship enjoyed by those whose lives are based on the quest for enlightenment.

This authoritative book, by an outstanding Western Buddhist teacher, explains the pivotal importance of these Three Jewels. To understand the Three Jewels is to understand the central ideal and principles of Buddhism. To have some insight into them is to touch its very heart." (jacket)