One of the most popular Asian classics for roughly two thousand years; the Vimalakirti Sutra stands out among the sacred texts of Mahayana Buddhism for its conciseness; its vivid and humorous episodes; its dramatic narratives; and its eloquent exposition of the key doctrine of emptiness or nondualism. Unlike most sutras; its central figure is not a Buddha but a wealthy townsman; who; in his mastery of doctrine and religious practice; epitomizes the ideal lay believer. For this reason; the sutra has held particular significance for men and women of the laity in Buddhist countries of Asia; assuring them that they can reach levels of spiritual attainment fully comparable to those accessible to monks and nuns of the monastic order. Esteemed translator Burton Watson has rendered a beautiful English translation from the popular Chinese version produced in 406 C.E. by the Central Asian scholar-monk Kumarajiva; which is widely acknowledged to be the most felicitous of the various Chinese translations of the sutra (the Sanskrit original of which was lost long ago) and is the form in which it has had the greatest influence in China; Japan; and other countries of East Asia. Watson's illuminating introduction discusses the background of the sutra; its place in the development of Buddhist thought; and the profundities of its principal doctrine: emptiness.
#102700 in Books Desbois Patrick Shapiro Paul A 2009-11-24 2009-11-24Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.23 x .74 x 5.48l; .53 #File Name: 0230617573272 pagesThe Holocaust by Bullets A Priest s Journey to Uncover the Truth Behind the Murder of 1 5 Million Jews
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. An Important BookBy Eric MaroneyThe Holocaust by Bullets: A Priest's Journey to Uncover the Truth Behind the Murder of 1.5 Million Jews by Patrick Desbois is not a particularly well structured or well-written book; but its importance far outweighs its narrative flaws. Father Desbois spent the better part of a decade in rural; western Ukraine; searching out the mass graves of the Holocaust.Without his efforts; much of the testimony gathered in this book would be forever lost. Most of the people interviewed are old Ukrainian peasants who were children when the mass extermination of the Jews began. They were able to assist Father Desbois in finding mass graves. In turn; he collaborated their locations using German and Russian documents. He even oversaw a dig of a mass grave.This is important work. A million and half Jews were killed with guns. There was no need for capos; workers in crematorium; prisoners to maintain a work or death camp. So nearly all Jews were immediately killed; Jewish survivors are few and far between.So Father Dusbois’ work is a vital part of the history of the Holocaust. There are thousands of mass graves in the Ukraine. And he has done much work in identifying them; and in many cases; commemorating the sites.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Absolutely HarrowingBy ScarletMThis is undoubtedly the most harrowing Holocaust related book I have ever read and I've read many. I applaud Father Dubois for this incredible journey he has undertaken - I cannot imagine doing what he has done; its hard enough just reading about it; but to be there; to see the pits; to speak to witnesses - I can't imagine how he sleeps at night. The witness testimonies were particularly difficult to read - I had always assumed Ukrainians willingly colluded and helped Nazis etc kills the Jews - but here we have a different view - that many were forcibly (at gun point) requisitioned to participate in the mass killings. This is a very hard book to read but a very important work! I can't keep thinking of it. I can't keep imagining what it must have been liked to be forced from my home with my loved ones; stripped and shot into a pit. It's unimaginable and yet it happened to 1.5 million human beings. Innocent human beings and so many little children.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Raw/Real/Must be readBy MGHonestly; I am not sure where to start with this book. I am a fan of history/history books. This was a description of WWII atrocities like I have never read. This is a very raw description of what these people went through. It was one of the only books I have ever read that cause tears to stream down my face. I am amazed at what humans can do to other humans; however this is no reason to cover up and ignore things that have happened in our past. I just hope that those currently making decisions and in places of power can make sure that something like this will never happen again. This is a part of WWII that everyone must be aware of. Please read this book.
