Meeting the Buddhas

Vessantara is a senior member of the Triratna Buddhist Order, who also has extensive experience of practice under the guidance of Tibetan Buddhist teachers. Vessantara is much in demand as a Buddhist teacher and has led retreats and courses around the world. He has written several books, including Tales of Freedom and two books on Buddhist meditation: The Breath and The Heart.

Illustrations
About the Author
Preface to the New Edition
Acknowledgements
Preface to the Original Edition
Publisher's Acknowledgements
Introduction
Part One Meeting the Buddha
Chapter One The Fountainhead of Buddhism
Chapter Two The Development of Buddhist Sadhanas
Chapter Three The Benefits of Sadhana Practice
Chapter Four Taking Up Sadhana Practice
Part Two The Mandala of the Five Buddhas
Chapter Five Entering the Mandala
Chapter Six Touching the Earth in the Eastern Realm
Chapter Seven The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel in the South
Chapter Eight The Red Buddha and the Mudra of Meditation
Chapter Nine Crossed Thunderbolts and the Buddha of Action
Chapter Ten At the Centre of the Mandala
Part Three The Great Bodhisattvas
Chapter Eleven For the Sake of All That Lives
Chapter Twelve The Thousand Arms of Compassion
Chapter Thirteen The Soft-Voiced Prince and the Flaming Sword
Chapter Fourteen Vajrapani - the Path of Heroic Transformation
Chapter Fifteen Green Tara - the Quick Way to Wisdom
Chapter Sixteen White Tara - Cheating Death
Chapter Seventeen The Eight Great Bodhisattvas
Part Four Tantra and the Tantric Deities
Chapter Eighteen The Tantric Approach
Chapter Nineteen Prajnaparamita - the Book That Became a Goddess
Chapter Twenty Vajrasattva - Prince of Purity
Chapter Twenty-One The Tantric Gurus
Chapter Twenty-Two The Oath-Bound Deities
Chapter Twenty-Three Dancing in the Sky
Chapter Twenty-Four The Dark Armies of the Dharma
Chapter Twenty-Five The Refuge Tree and Its Future Growth
Notes
Illustration Credits
Glossary
Selected Reading
Index