Buddhism
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There are few historical entities that engender as much debate, confusion, and acrimony as the nature and reality of Shaolin. We have heard distinguished university professors categorically deny the existence of either Shaolin or its problem-children Tongs; that only authenticated accounts by the Communist Chinese government are to be trusted; or that the temples are fictitious, based on stories in old novels. The following accounts are taken from sources who 1) practiced the specific kung fu styles to Master level from the "supposed" temples, 2) learned their arts AT those temples before the temples were destroyed, or 3) were taught by practitioners from those temples.
History @ Shaolin.com
The Buddha was born Siddhartha Gautama, a prince of the Sakya tribe of Nepal, in approximately 566 BC. When he was twentynine years old, he left the comforts of his home to seek the meaning of the suffering he saw around him. After six years of arduous yogic training, he abandoned the way of self-mortification and instead sat in mindful meditation beneath a bodhi tree.
An Introduction to Buddhism
Erroneous Views held by Some Brahmans and Sramanas Concerning Causation, Continuation, etc.; The Buddhist Views Concerning Such Subjects as Alayavijnana, Nirvana, Mind-only, etc.; Attainments of the Bodhisattva
The Lankavatara Sutra. A Mahayana Text
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If you read only one book on Buddhism, let it be this one. Thich Nhat Hanh is one of the world's great teachers, and this life of Shakyamuni Buddha is his masterpiece. Every chapter is a perfect gem, every idea put forth bears witness not only to the noblest spiritual tradition, but to the purity of heart of its author.I have this book and it's definitely a very interesting read especially for those unaware of the significant link between the practice of Shaolin martial arts and the practice of Chan Buddhism. But like many books on Shaolin (and martial arts in general) it is largely based on hear-say: stories and legends told to them by their instructors or stories that were picked up in other "English" martial arts books.
amazon
amazon
This book is another of Thich Nhat Hanh's wonderful gifts to all of us. He is able to put into very understandable language, the difficult but inspiring concepts of Buddhism.
Tibet