PSYCHOLOGY OF BUDDHISM: A practical guide to self-knowledge Александр Карачаров

Dedicated to my parents

I express my great gratitude to all my spiritual teachers and mentors

His Holiness

the Dalai Lama XIV (Ngagwang Lovzang Tengjin Gyatso) – spiritual leader, follower of Tibetan Buddhism.

To the Head of the Tibetan House, the Honourable Geshe Dorji Damdula La

To the staff

of the Tibet House of Russia

"Google Translate trans."

Annotation

Through the mists of the ages, the wisdom born within the walls of ancient Nalanda, the cradle of knowledge, where the mind sought enlightenment, echoes. This book is a journey into the heart of Tibetan Buddhism, where the Nalanda Philosophy has been given new life, flourishing in picturesque valleys and impregnable monasteries. The author, a physician and psychologist, reveals to us the innermost secrets of the mind, as they were understood by the great teachers of the past. We will delve into the depths of consciousness, explore the subtle edges of perception, feel the storm of emotions and find the way to inner silence by following the ancient paths laid out by the sages of Nalanda.

The book does not just talk about psychological principles, it invites transformation, opening the gates to understanding yourself and the world through the prism of Buddhist wisdom. It intertwines the threads of ancient texts and the modern understanding of the psyche, creating a mesmerizing canvas that can touch the very depths of the human soul. Open this book and let the wisdom and teachings of the ancient monasteries of Tibet illuminate your path to yourself.

From the author

A Wake-Up Call from the Heart of Tibet

Imagine a mountain pass shrouded in mist, where the wind carries the whisper of mantras and the echo of ancient teachings. It was there, in the heart of Tibet, where heaven meets earth, that this book was born. Not as a dry statement of facts, but as a guiding thread woven from personal experience and the age-old wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism.

My journey began not with a scientist's office, but with a pilgrimage to the roots. I was looking not just for knowledge, but for living experience, a touch of wisdom that had been passed from mouth to mouth, from heart to heart for centuries. I wandered through the monasteries lost among the peaks, listened to the speeches of lamas whose eyes radiated peace and understanding, and immersed myself in meditation practices rooted in the Nalanda teachings.

This book is not just a story about the psychology of Buddhism, it is an invitation to a journey through the labyrinths of one's own mind, illuminated by the light of ancient wisdom. Here you will not find dry theories, but rather the keys to understanding yourself and the world, tested by time and the experience of thousands of practitioners.

Let this book be your guide to a world where mind and heart merge in harmony, where every breath is a step towards awakening, and every glance is an opportunity to see the world in a new way. Open its pages and you will hear the call of Awakening, echoing from the heart of the Himalayas.

Preface

Dear Reader,

Get ready to embark on a journey not only in space, but also in time, to the origins of wisdom that can illuminate the most secret corners of our inner world. This book is like a key that opens the gates to ancient Nalanda, where the psychology of Buddhism blossomed among flowering gardens and meditative groves, like a lotus growing out of muddy water.

In this legendary Nalanda University, where the echoes of the sages' debates merged with the whisper of prayers, a deep understanding of the human mind was born. Scientists and philosophers of the monastery university, immersed in contemplation and analysis, explored the subtlest nuances of consciousness, like jewelers cutting a precious stone. They were looking for answers to the eternal questions: what is thought, what is emotion, and how to free ourselves from the shackles of suffering generated by our inner world?

This book is an attempt to revive the legacy of Nalanda, to show how the ancient teachings of the mind can be a guiding light in our modern world. We will explore how the sages of the past understood the workings of the mind, how they classified the storms of emotion, and how they proposed pathways to inner silence that are still relevant today. We will see how their insights echo modern psychological discoveries, but also offer a deeper, holistic view of human nature.

Why is it so important to hear the echoes of Nalanda today? Because in the hustle and bustle of our life, we often lose touch with ourselves, forget about inner harmony. The wisdom of Nalanda, with its emphasis on self-knowledge and mental training, can be the anchor that will help us find support and clarity.

This book is an invitation to a world where reason becomes an ally, not an enemy, where inner peace is not an unattainable dream, but a reality available to everyone. May the wisdom of Nalanda, like a ray of light from the depths of time, illuminate your path to self-understanding and help you find the inner harmony that the ancient sages dreamed of.

With the hope of awakening the inner light,

Alexander Karacharov

From the history of Nalanda

Like a jewel in a necklace of centuries, Nalanda shone in the heart of ancient India, the abode of wisdom, where the echoes of Buddhist teachings intertwined with the whispers of eternity. This illustrious monastic university, which opened its doors in the fifth century, has become a beacon of knowledge, attracting inquisitive minds from all corners of Asia.

Here, under the shade of sacred trees, Mahayana, one of the great branches of Buddhism, blossomed. Within the walls of Nalanda, the voices of such titans of thought as Nagarjuna, Aryadeva, Vasubandhu and Dignaga were heard, whose philosophical writings illuminated the path of seekers of truth. The concepts of emptiness and bodhisattva were woven into the fabric of the teachings like precious threads, giving rise to new horizons of understanding.

Nalanda was not just a temple of faith, but a true university where the thirst for knowledge extended far beyond religious dogma. Logic, grammar, the healing arts of medicine, the mysteries of astronomy, and the elegance of the arts all found their place under the arches of this ancient center of learning.

Seven centuries of prosperity lit up the destiny of Nalanda like a bright flash. Thousands of students and teachers, like pilgrims to the source of wisdom, flocked here to touch the eternal truths. Among them were not only prominent monks and philosophers whose names went down in history, but also influential leaders who supported the development of the university.

Nalanda was not a single monastery, but a complex, a mahavihara, where numerous viharas were home to thousands of monks and students. Although the specific names of each monastery are not always known, the very existence of such a large-scale educational center testifies to its importance.

Unfortunately, the wheel of time is inexorable, and in the twelfth century, a storm of destruction hit the blooming garden of knowledge. The Muslim conquerors put the treasury of Nalanda to fire and sword, and its radiance gradually faded.

It was not until the 19th century, as if from the ashes of legend, that the ruins of Nalanda rose to tell of its former greatness. Today, these sacred ruins, recognized by UNESCO as the heritage of all mankind, remind of the glorious past of the university.

And like an echo of ancient glory, in 2010 there was hope for revival. The Government of India has taken the wise decision to breathe new life into Nalanda. A modern university, like a phoenix rising from the ashes of history, seeks to recreate the spirit and traditions of its great predecessor.

Major works related to Nalanda:

Nalanda was the cradle of many important Buddhist texts and philosophical works. Although many of the original manuscripts have been lost, translations and references have survived, giving a glimpse of the richness of the university's intellectual heritage. Among the most significant works are:

Nagarjuna's Mulamadhyamakarika (Basic Verses on the Middle Way): A fundamental text of the Madhyamika school that explores the concept of emptiness (sunyata).

Aryadeva's Chatuhshataka (Four Hundred Verses): A commentary on Nagarjuna's philosophy, clarifying key aspects of Madhyamika.

Vasubandhu's writings, including Abhidharmakosha (Treasury of Abhidharma): Although Vasubandhu worked in various centers, his influence on the development of Buddhist philosophy at Nalanda was considerable. The Abhidharmakosha has become an important text for the study of Buddhist psychology and metaphysics.

Dignaga's writings on logic and epistemology: Dignaga laid the foundations of Buddhist logic, influencing the subsequent development of philosophical thought.

Shantideva's writings, including Bodhicharyavatara (The Bodhisattva's Way of Life): A poetic text describing bodhisattva ideals and practices that was very popular at Nalanda.

Nalanda is not just a page in history, it is a living heritage, a symbol of the pursuit of knowledge and spiritual depth. It has preserved for us invaluable Buddhist teachings, influenced the development of world culture and remains a beacon of education, reminding us of the importance of preserving cultural heritage and international cooperation in the field of education. The rebirth of Nalanda is not just about rebuilding the ancient walls, it is about returning to the origins of wisdom to light the way for future generations.

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