Bodhisattva Archetypes: Classic Buddhist Guides to Awakening and Their Modern Expression (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In this fascinating introduction to ancient and contemporary spiritual exemplars, Taigen Daniel Leighton explains the psychology of Bodhisattva practice, imagery, and imagination and presents to readers several recognizable Bodhisattva archetypes--like Maitreya the future Buddha--as well as contemporary figures who exemplify Bodhisattva ideals. Illustrations .

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140195564
• ISBN-13: 978-0140195569
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #889,913 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book for All Sentient Beings, September 19, 2000

By	Franz Metcalf (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

Faithful amazon.com patrons know the phenomenon of reading superlative reviews here, reviews that sadly overstate the qualities of the books reviewed. Reading the two reviews below, you might fear this is such a case. They are indeed, superb reviews, accurate, informative, yet rising to the power of poetry. But the reader need not fear; Leighton's book is honored by the reviews but has earned every such honor. And if the reviews rise toward poetry it is because the language of the book inspires them.

I read Leighton's work carefully, wearing both my hats as Buddhist and Buddhist scholar. I take both hats off to him as he has fashioned a book that scholars will learn from and practitioners will deepen with. Non-Buddhists please take note: this would be a marvelous way to begin learning what Mahayana Buddhism is really about. All persons will grow from reading this book, and I hope they do.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thought-proking and educational, September 30, 2000

By	Steven M Scotten (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews

A wonderful introduction to bodhisattva practice and history. Rev. Leighton explores the historical manifestations of the bodhisattvas, but always returns to examples accessable to the western reader (this western reader, anyhow!) and brings the focus to the ways we can learn from the bodhisattvas, not just revere them from afar.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lucid and Engaging, January 5, 2000

By A Customer

In this book, Taigen Leighton achieves something that I have rarely found (but am always searching for) in popular Buddhist literature: he matches objective scholarship and illuminating historical, sociological, and psychological observations with religious depth, insight, and sensitivity. In fact, his chapter on Avalokiteshvara and his discussion of Pure Land Buddhist traditions played a determinative role in my own spiritual unfolding. And like the skillful orator Manjushri's, Taigen Leighton own language is clarifying and incantatory at once. To enter into its serene rhythms is to taste something of the presence of the Bodhisattvas. A highly edifying read and radically Mahayana work that is precisely what is needed to lead us into the new millennium.