New edition published: Peaceful Action, Open Heart

The Lotus Sutra is one of the most revered Mahayana sutras and is sometimes called "the king of sutras." Stamped with his signature depth of vision, lucidity, and clarity, Thich Nhat Hanh's insights based on the wisdom of the Lotus Sutra invoke a wide range of contemporary topics and concerns. He demonstrates the practical and direct applicability of Buddhist teachings to today's issues, from the Palestinian-Isr'li tragedy to the threat of terrorism and the degradation of our environment. Opening the Heart of the Cosmos suggests radical new ways of solving universal, contemporary conflicts and challenges governments and the United Nations to act as a community and work for peace and harmony in the world. This book shines sixty years of study and practice upon one of the crowning scriptures of the path of the Buddha. It is destined to be known as one of the most significant writings by Thich Nhat Hanh.


Opening the Heart of the Cosmos, Thich Nhat Hanh, Parallax Press, Hardcover, pages, $26.00

Zen Master, poet, and peace and human rights activist Thich Nhat Hanh has written over fifty books in English and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Price in 1967 by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Born in central Vietnam in 1926, Thich Nhat Hanh joined the monkhood at the age of sixteen. The Vietnam War confronted the monasteries with the question of whether to adhere to the contemplative life and remain meditating in the monasteries, or to help the villagers suffering under bombings and other devastations of the war. Nhat Hanh was one of those who chose to do both, helping to found the engaged Buddhism movement. His life has since been dedicated to the work of inner transformation for the benefit of individuals and society. Thich Nhat Hanh lives in Plum Village, a meditation community he founded in France, where he teaches, writes, gardens, and leads retreats worldwide on the art of mindful living.

	Contents: Opening the Heart of the Cosmos - Insights on the Lotus Sutra
	Introduction	1
1.	The Wide Embrace of the Lotus Sutra	7
	PART I. THE HISTORICAL DIMENSION
	Lotus Sutra 1-10 and 12-14	17
2.	The Two Doors	19
3.	Skillful Means	23
4.	One Vehicle	30
5.	The Destitute Son	37
6.	Dharma Rain	43
7.	The Magic City	47
8.	Predictions	50
9.	Devadatta	54
10.	The Capacity of Buddhahood	59
11.	Dharma Teacher	62
	PART II. THE ULTIMATE DIMENSION
	Lotus Sutra 11, 15-19, 21, and 22	65
12.	The Jeweled Stupa	67
13.	Rising Up from the Earth	73
14.	Infinite Life	77
15.	Merit	83
16.	The Light of Mindfulness	88
17.	Trust and Faith	93
	PART III. THE ACTION DIMENSION
	Lotus Sutra 20 and 23-28	97
18.	Never Disparaging	99
19.	Medicine King	108
20.	Wonderful Sound	118
21.	Universal Gate	121
22.	Many Forms	129
23.	Mindfulness of Love	135
24.	Non-Fear	140
25.	Earth-Holder and Earth-Store	147
26.	Dharani	156
27.	King Fine Adornment	162
28.	Universally Worthy	165
	PART IV. OPENING THE DOORS OF ACTION	173
29.	The Six Paramitas	175
30.	Giving	177
31.	Precepts	182
32.	Inclusiveness	186
33.	Diligence	189
34.	Meditation	193
35.	Wisdom	195
	Conclusion	198
	Notes	199
	Index	209