BODHI MONASTERY

(1906 - June 3rd, 2005)

At this time we mark the third anniversary of the passing of Ven. Master Yin-shun, who was the teacher of Ven. Jen-chun, the founder and guiding elder at Bodhi Monastery. Master Yin-shun had thus been in a sense the “spiritual patron” of the monastery and its affiliate, the Yin Shun Foundation. Below is a quote by Master Yin-shun cited in his autobiographical work, A Sixty-Year Spiritual Voyage on the Ocean of Dharma. It gives us a glimpse of the Master's thought when he realized that the conclusion of his life was nearing:

In this [conditioned] world, a limited lifetime always concludes without a conclusion. I shall follow the spirit of Jingwei [—the bird in the fable who lived out its life in attempting the impossible mission of filling up the Eastern Sea] with pebbles carried in its beak. My work will be done when and where I can work no more. So why should I bother to ponder my future or my past? The Buddha Dharma, its research and revival, is never the work of a single person or a single day.

— Preface to A Study of the Abhidharma Literature
(Primarily the Sarvastivadin) And its Masters

Including the Theravada and Mahayana Traditions at
the Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Levels

Teachers, students, and friends of Bodhi Monastery have suggested these readings; therefore, this is not a complete or impartial selection. We’ve included readings from both the Theravada and Mahayana traditions at the beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. We hope it is a useful resource and study tool for yourself and to share with others.

The readings are divided into two distinct lists; the General Buddhist Reading List and the Modern and Personal Perspectives Reading List.