Part I
CONTENTS
| 1 | The Unique Characteristics of Buddhism - Step 1 | 1 |
| 2 | The Fundamental Concepts of Humanistic Buddhism - Step 2 | 28 |
| 3 | The Four Nobal Truths: The Essence of Buddhism - Step 3 | 51 |
| 4 | The Great Buddha -Step 4 | 75 |
| 5 | The Buddhist Perspective on Life and Destiny - Step 5 | 101 |
| 6 | The Wheel of Rebirth - Step 6 | 127 |
| 7 | When We Die - Step 7 | 150 |
| 8 | Ten of Life's Common Concerns - Step 8 | 173 |
| 9 | Conditionality: The Law of Cause and Effect - Step 9 | 195 |
| 10 | Cause and Condition - Step 10 | 213 |
| 11 | A Glimpse of Chah through the Sixth Patriarch's Platform Sutra - Step
11 | 240 |
| 12 | The Essence of Cham - Step 12 | 262 |
| 13 | Teaching, Learning, and Upholding the Way in Chan Buddhism - Step
13 | 278 |
| 14 | Buddhism and Psychology - Step 14 | 301 |
| 15 | A Buddhist Approach to Management - Step 15 | 316 |
| 16 | Sounds of the Dharma: Buddhism and Music - Step 16 | 331 |
| 17 | Looking Ahead: A Guide for Young Buddhists - Step 17 | 347 |
| 18 | The Amitabha Sutra and the Pure Land School - Step 18 | 371 |
| 19 | Building Connections: Buddhism & Architecture - Step 19 | 390 |
| 20 | The Diamond Sutra and the Study of Wisdom and Empritness - Step
20 | 405 |
| 21 | Protecting Our Enviroment - Step 21 | 425 |
| 22 | On Becoming a Bodhisattva - Step 22 | 439 |
| 23 | Speaking of Love and Affection - Step- 23 | 163 |
Part II
Introduction
Since the origin of the world, birth, aging, illness, and dead' have been unavoidable. Prince Siddhartha
learned of this truth when he ventured beyond his palace and visited the poor area o: town. There, amidst
beggars, sick people, and frail elders, he saw the reality of life. Immediately, a desire arose in his heart to
relieve the pain and suffering of these people. Thus, he renounced his life of luxury and became a monk,
hoping that through meditation and cultivation he could find solutions for poor and ailing people.
From the beginning, the Buddha (formerly Prince Siddhartha) realized that just as one can suffer from
physical diseases, one could also suffer from an unhealthy mindset. To cure diseases 01 both the body
and mind, the Buddha devoted his entire life to passing down the knowledge of the Tripitaka. While the
Buddha sought to cure both physical and mental illness, greater emphasis was placed upon the mind. He
used knowledge of the Dharma to heal illnesses that arise from the three poisons: greed, anger, and
ignorance. The Buddha's medicine treats diseases originating in the patients' minds, curing them of these
poisons. Psychologists also treat illnesses by working with their patient's mental state but their treatment
differs from the Buddhist practice of treating the mind. According to Buddhism, the pure and wondrous
Dharma is the perfect medication for an ailing mind, as well as a sick body.
Keeping both the mind and body healthy is important, for the body is the vehicle that we use to practice
the Dharma. Like all things, the mind and the body are interdependent; the health of the mind influences
the health of the body and the health 01 the body influences the health of the mind. Using the healthy
body as a tool, we can cultivate a compassionate heart and a cleat mind. With a cultivated mind, we are
able to examine ourselves, clearly see the nature of our problems, and work to resolve them. We will then
approach the path to true health.
CONTENTS
| 1 | Buddhism, Medicine, and Health - Step 24 | 1 |
| 2 | Nirvana - Step 25 | 26 |
| 3 | Seeing the Buddha - Step 26 | 47 |
| 4 | A Discussion on Buddhist Perception andUnderstanding - Step 27
| 73 |
| 5 | Buddhism and Volunteerism - Step 28 | 94 |
| 6 | Buddhism and Tea Ceremony - Step 29 | 112 |
| 7 | Buddhism and Sculpture - Step 30 | 124 |
| 8 | Buddhist Perspectives on Spiritual Practice - Step 31 | 138 |
| 9 | The Buddhist Perspective on the Supernatural - Step 32 | 166 |
| 10 | Buddhism and Healing - Step 33 | 190 |
| 11 | Ghosts and the Afterlife - Step 34 | 216 |
| 12 | The Buddhist Perspective on Time and Space - Step 35 | 239 |
| 13 | Worldly Living, Transcendental Practice - Step 36 | 264 |
| 14 | The Buddhist Perspective on Women's Rights - Step 37 | 288 |
| 15 | Buddhism and Vegetarianism - Step 38 | 313 |
| 16 | Letting Go -Step 39 | 339 |
| 17 | Seeing Clearly -Step 40 | 363 |
| 18 | Meditation -Step 41 | 381 |
| 19 | The Triple Gem - Step 42 | 403 |
| 20 | The Five Precepts - Step 43 | 430 |
