Who is Lama Surya Das

Buddha Standard Time: Awakening to the Infinite Possibilities of Now

by: Surya Das

Amazon Price: $9.85 (as of 05/31/2012)

Read this and learn how every choice, action and breath can be one of renewal and infinite possibilities.

Buddha Is as Buddha Does: The Ten Original Practices for Enlightened Living

by: Lama Surya Das

Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 05/31/2012)

Review by C James: For the beginner stepping on the Buddhist path for the first time, BUDDHA IS AS BUDDHA DOES describes that path in all its richness. For the activist, spritual or otherwise, it is a true resource that will guide its readers with wit, wisdom and a wealth of practical knowledge. Add to all that the fact that the book was a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Letting Go of the Person You Used to Be: Lessons on Change, Loss, and Spiritual Transformation

by: Lama Surya Das

Amazon Price: $7.24 (as of 05/31/2012)

"It is inevitably painful to deal with transition, change, suffering, death, and other losses. They are realities we would prefer to avoid, or minimize, but they are essentially part of life. We must face them with courage, grace, clarity and wisdom. Lama Surya Das teaches us how to do so in the spirit of enlightenment, great practical wisdom, humility and effective compassion. Letting Go of the Person You Used to Be is a further tribute to his masterful talents as a spiritual teacher."

Wayne Teasdale

Journey Into Buddhism Trilogy

Amazon Price: $19.78 (as of 05/31/2012)

I am still arriving back from this incredible journey. The 3 dvds let filmmaker John Bush reveal this epic journey over 4.5 hours while visiting the most amazing temples, villages, caves, mountains and rivers in so many different places in Asia. I was particularly moved by the Burma and Tibet segments as there is so much difficulty there, while the people are so beautiful and their cause is so just.

These are not the usual talking heads type documentaries but more intuitive,spontaneous and revealing. We follow the camera into rare and seldom seen places and hear the legends and spiritual significance of each place. I was particularly impressed by the music which seemed very well suited to each scene and added to the dramatic structure. David Hykes' harmonic chants are hypnotic. There is a huge amount of the local music that is extraordinary and which I have never heard before. Each dvd has two viewing choices - with a narrator and with just music and sound. I look forward to this one.

While I know something about Buddhism I was relieved that the films do not have any sectarian biases - you do not have to be a Buddhist to "get" what John Bush is offering here. He presents it all in an informed but universal way that is quite engaging. There is something noble in seeing the grandeur and simplicity of these Asian venues dedicated to nothing but the discovery of wisdom & compassion.

Dharma Practice Calendar: 154-Year Buddhist Lunar Calendar

by: Michael Erlewine

Amazon Price: $16.79 (as of 05/31/2012)

Most dharma practitioners have a meditation or practice schedule based on the lunar calendar, including not only New and Full Moon times, but exact times for the 30 lunar days in each lunar month. Here is a 150-year lunar calendar (1900-2054) that provides the following information for each lunar day: Day of Week Standard Calendar Date Lunar Day (1 to 30) Event Time to Nearest Minute Lunar Month (Karmapa style) Lunar Month (Dalai Lama style) Tibetan New Year (Karmapa) Tibetan New Year (Dalai Lama) Eclipses Indicated by Type Tidal Force Also included are several articles by Michael Erlewine on the lunar cycle and how it relates to Tibetan astrology and dharma practice. Here in a single volume is the essential practice information that appears in yearly practice calendars for a full 150 years - accurate lunar event timing.