A guide to Buddhist ritual, drawing on research in cultural studies and psychology. Approaching Enlightenment uses the Sevenfold Puja as a basis for understanding ritual activities, symbols and implements. More than a book 'about' Buddhist ritual, this is a guide to assist the reader move more deeply 'into' its practice and benefit from its fruits.
Ritual is the area of Buddhist practice that receives the least amount of attention. This book is for both sceptical and enquiring practitioners. Combining research in psychology and cultural studies and the author's own practice, Bodhidasa draws out the liberatory potential of Buddhist ritual. More than a book 'about' Buddhist ritual, this is a personal guide to assist the reader to move more deeply 'into' its practice and benefit from its fruits.
'Bodhidasa invites us to awaken our imaginations and to see the world as a magician might in this delightfully unpretentious book. He skilfully shows us how, far from being extraneous to the Buddhist path, ritual lies at its heart - because it lies at the heart of human life itself.' - Subhadramati, a member of the ordination team at Tiratanaloka Retreat Centre and author of Not About Being Good
'I can't think of anyone more on fire with the magic of ritual than Bodhidasa. Bodhidasa's own devotion shows in this always surprising, wonderful book. It will lead anyone who's curious, sceptical, or passionate about ritual to a better understanding of what it's really all about - in heart and in mind.'
Candradasa, author of Buddhism for Teens and founder of Free Buddhist Audio and The Buddhist Centre Online
'Do devotional practice and ritual have any place in the life of a modern Buddhist? Straight from the heart, Bodhidasa offers an overview of the territory and, above all, the challenge all Buddhists face: to find emotional equivalents for their intellectual understanding.'
Nagabodhi, author of Sangharakshita: The Boy, the Monk, the Man
'Bodhidasa succeeds in writing both for the newcomer to ritual as well as the old hand: responding to the questions we inevitably ask ourselves - but are sometimes afraid to ask aloud - and offering fresh insights in equal measure. With wit, intimate knowledge of the terrain, and a vivid imagination, he makes a compelling case for ritual as a path to Enlightenment.'
Prajnaketu, author of Cyberloka: A Buddhist Guide to Digital Life
