Why does Buddhism refer to so many Buddhas? Who are they? What can they tell us about ourselves?

In this inspiringly written book we meet the historical and archetypal Buddhas who form part of the rich symbolism of Tibetan Buddhism. This is an informative guide for those new to Buddhism and a handy reference for more experienced practitioners. Vessantara, with his 35 years of meditation experience, combines the power of story telling with practical guidance and succeeds in bringing the Buddhas and their visualization practices to life.

As Buddhists over the centuries meditated on the archetypal Buddha, more and more forms appeared. They sprang up profusely, like wild flowers, in different shapes and colors. They evolved. New varieties were discovered. Eventually the Buddhist tradition was decorated with a riot of colou and beauty.

Guide to the Buddhas, Vessantara, Windhorse Publications, Paperback, 163 pages, $18.95

Vessantara is a senior member of the Western Buddhist Order. Born Tony McMahon in London in 1950, he gained an MA in English at Cambridge University. He became interested in Buddhism in his teens, and first had direct contact with Buddhists in 1971. In 1974 he was ordained and given the name Vessantara, which means 'universe within'. In 1975 he gave up a career in social work to become more involved with the development of the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order. Since then he has divided his time between meditating, studying, and assisting the development of several Buddhist centres, including retreat centres in England, Wales, and Spain. Vessantara is much in demand as a Buddhist teacher. For seven years he led three-month courses for people entering the Order and now gives talks and leads retreats and workshops throughout Europe and Australasia. He has written several books, including Tales of Freedom, The Mandala of the Five Buddhas, The Vajra and Bell, and Female Deities in Buddhism.

	Contents: A GUIDE TO THE BUDDHAS
	About the Author	vii
	Introduction	1
One	The Fountainhead of Buddhism	5
Two	The Development of Buddhist Visualization	19
Three	The Benefits of Visualization	31
Four	Taking Up the Practice of Visualization	41
Five	Entering the Mandala	55
Six	Touching the Earth in the Eastern Realm	69
Seven	The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel in the South	83
Eight	The Red Buddha and the Mudra of Meditation	97
Nine	Crossed Thunderbolts and the Buddha of Action	111
Ten	At the Centre of the Mandala	125
	Table of Correspondences	138
	Notes	141
	Illustration Credits	145
	Glossary	147
	Selected Reading	157
	Index	159