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The Treasure House of Secrets
The original title of this work is the Saddharmapundarikasutra, which may be translated as the Scripture of the Lotus Blossom of the Fine Dharma or the Sutra on the White Lotus of the Sublime Dharma. Originating in the first century BCE, the Lotus Sutra has been regarded as the Buddha’s final and highest teaching. The Lotus Sutra takes the form of a drama, consisting of several scenes. Sangharakshita says that the Lotus Sutra’s stage is the cosmos, its actors are a host of mythic beings, and its language is images or symbols. For this reason the Lotus refers to itself as a treasure house of secrets. Seten Tomh’s introductory commentary to the Lotus Sutra, transcribed from a series of talks at the Buddha Center, identifies and discusses some of the esoteric ideas of the Sutra.
The Good Path of Laozi
Paper, 103 Pages
REVISED EDITION IS NOW AVAILABLE.
Laozi, literally “Old Master,” probably lived during the Warring States period of the 4th century BCE. This was an era in ancient Chinese history characterized by war, as well as bureaucratic and military reforms and consolidation, leading to the Qin dynasty, the first unified Chinese empire. Laozi was an official in the imperial archives, a scholar who worked as the Keeper of the archives for the royal court of Zhou. This allowed him broad access to the works of the Yellow Emperor and other classics. Laozi never opened a formal school but attracted a large number of students and loyal disciples. Laozi tired of the moral decay of life in Chengzhou and, noting the kingdom’s decline, travelled west to live as a hermit in the unsettled frontier at an advanced age. At the western gate he was recognized by the guard Yinxi. He asked the old master to record his wisdom before he would allow him to pass. The text Laozi wrote was the Tao Te Ching. Also available in Cloth.
The Good Path of Laozi
REVISED EDITION IS NOW AVAILABLE.
Laozi, literally “Old Master,” probably lived during the Warring States period of the 4th century BCE. This was an era in ancient Chinese history characterized by war, as well as bureaucratic and military reforms and consolidation, leading to the Qin dynasty, the first unified Chinese empire. Laozi was an official in the imperial archives, a scholar who worked as the Keeper of the archives for the royal court of Zhou. This allowed him broad access to the works of the Yellow Emperor and other classics. Laozi never opened a formal school but attracted a large number of students and loyal disciples. Laozi tired of the moral decay of life in Chengzhou and, noting the kingdom’s decline, travelled west to live as a hermit in the unsettled frontier at an advanced age. At the western gate he was recognized by the guard Yinxi. He asked the old master to record his wisdom before he would allow him to pass. The text Laozi wrote was the Tao Te Ching. Also available in Paper.
Dharma Talks
Alexander Duncan (Tseten Thokmey) began his quest for the ultimate spiritual truth at the age of ten. Over half a century, this quest has involved him in everything from astrology to Zen. Dharma Talks is committed to the proposition that Buddhism represents the pre-eminent spiritual tradition of humanity. He found the perfection of wisdom in the vow of a bodhisattva and Dzogchen Buddhism. These are his thoughts on the Dharma Transmission to the West. This book replaces Dharma Notes.
Conversations with the Buddha
SECOND EDITION, REVISED AND CORRECTED IS NOW AVAILABLE.
Conversations with the Buddha originated in a series of talks given at the Buddha Center in 2014-2015 by Tseten Thokmey, the Buddhist name of Alexander Duncan. This book examines the 34 suttas of the Digha Nikaya, the first book of the Sutta Pitaka, comprising the oldest extant introduction to the teachings of Siddattha Gotama the Buddha. Unlike sectarian exegetes, who preselect passages to support their particular theories, Thokmey excludes nothing, collating all relevant texts in order to arrive at a comprehensive evaluation of the whole dharma from a non-sectarian, universalist perspective. Second edition includes eight suttas of the Majjhima Nikaya as a supplement, for a total of 42 dharma talks. “Like listening to the Buddha speak.” Also available in cloth.
Conversations with the Buddha
SECOND EDITION, REVISED AND CORRECTED IS NOW AVAILABLE.
Conversations with the Buddha originated in a series of talks given at the Buddha Center in 2014-2015 by Tseten Thokmey, the Buddhist name of Alexander Duncan. This book examines the 34 suttas of the Digha Nikaya, the first book of the Sutta Pitaka, comprising the oldest extant introduction to the teachings of Siddattha Gotama the Buddha. Unlike sectarian exegetes, who preselect passages to support their particular theories, Thokmey excludes nothing, collating all relevant texts in order to arrive at a comprehensive evaluation of the whole dharma from a non-sectarian, universalist perspective. Second edition includes eight suttas of the Majjhima Nikaya as a supplement, for a total of 42 dharma talks. “Like listening to the Buddha speak.” Deluxe cloth edition consists of red linen cloth cover with gold stamp and matte dust jacket. Also available in paper.
Fundamental View
Fundamental View is a series of talks presented to the members of the Buddha Center in the summer and fall of 2013. Fundamental View weaves together the suttas of the Buddha into an original philosophical essay that seeks to explore early Buddhist thought by means of a close analysis of the texts, meticulously thought out yet holistically interpreted. Fundamental View explores universal underlying patterns of meaning that are difficult to discount and cast valuable light on how Buddhist thought originated, from a perspective that is open-minded yet lucidly critical and critically relevant. Also available in hardcover.
Fundamental View
Fundamental View is a series of talks presented to the members of the Buddha Center in the summer and fall of 2013. Fundamental View weaves together the suttas of the Buddha into an original philosophical essay that seeks to explore early Buddhist thought by means of a close analysis of the texts, meticulously thought out yet holistically interpreted. Fundamental View explores universal underlying patterns of meaning that are difficult to discount and cast valuable light on how Buddhist thought originated, from a perspective that is open-minded yet lucidly critical and critically relevant. Also available in paperback.
The Authenticity of the Early Buddhist Texts
The book is essentially a collection of short articles that gather much of what we know about the historical background of Early Buddhism into one place. We believe that the debate on the authenticity of the texts in academic circles has been badly skewed by an unscientific emphasis on extreme scepticism, and it is time for the pendulum to swing back.
The Secret Wisdom of 666
REVISED EDITION IS NOW AVAILABLE.
In 1904 a new revelation was given to the world by Aiwaz. The Book of the Law was revealed to Aleister Crowley, esotericist and poet, as a result of his wife’s mediumship in Cairo. Crowley resisted the Book for five years before accepting it and beginning to promulgate its contents. The hermeneutical problem, however, raises its ugly head. What does an inspired text mean? How are its sentences to be decoded? Crowley interpreted the Book in terms of contemporary events like the rise of fascism. He defended the Book’s ethics, declaring that one must adopt those of the aggressor if one is to survive. This is one aspect of the prophetic dimension of the Book of the Law, but Aiwaz hints that it conceals a deeper meaning than even Crowley would understand. Crowley acknowledged this, but in his Comment on the Book he directs us to himself for its definitive interpretation, forbidding all others. The Secret Wisdom of 666 explores this problem. Also available in cloth.
The Secret Wisdom of 666
REVISED EDITION IS NOW AVAILABLE.
In 1904 a new revelation was given to the world by Aiwaz. The Book of the Law was revealed to Aleister Crowley, esotericist and poet, as a result of his wife’s mediumship in Cairo. Crowley resisted the Book for five years before accepting it and beginning to promulgate its contents. The hermeneutical problem, however, raises its ugly head. What does an inspired text mean? How are its sentences to be decoded? Crowley interpreted the Book in terms of contemporary events like the rise of fascism. He defended the Book’s ethics, declaring that one must adopt those of the aggressor if one is to survive. This is one aspect of the prophetic dimension of the Book of the Law, but Aiwaz hints that it conceals a deeper meaning than even Crowley would understand. Crowley acknowledged this, but in his Comment on the Book he directs us to himself for its definitive interpretation, forbidding all others. The Secret Wisdom of 666 explores this problem. Also available in paper.
They Laugh at Us Here
Babaji Bob Kindler says, Stockwell’s poetry is “… frank and revealing into the heart of a devotee of Mother Kali and Sri Ramakrishna. Books such as this demonstrate both the value and the efficacy of time spent in spiritual pursuits – a singular pastime that is fast becoming rare in this day and time.” Carol Stockwell’s poetic debut depicts a delightfully energetic, modern search for God, and the difficulty of reconciling the language of the old religions with modern spiritual aspirations. Stockwell has glimpsed the sublime tenants, and has brought back with her shining, laughing testimonials of a world more childlike and free.
Buddhist Self-Ordination: A Dharma Strategy for the West
This booklet explores the Dharma Transmission to the West from its origin in 1908 with the First Buddhist Mission to the West to the arrival of today’s Asian immigrant teachers and schools, and asks the fundamental question: What is the right relationship between the DTW and the West? Is the West merely a passive receiver of dharma, or will the DTW transform Buddhism itself? The author seeks for the answer in Buddhist history, and finds it in the Mahayana rite of self-ordination, which he presents in a close English paraphrase of the Tibetan rite together with an essay on the relationship between the Mahayana precepts and the Vinaya.
Khatas
Khata is the common Tibetan term for a fine silk scarf that is given or exchanged as a token of friendship and respect. They are also thrown during spiritual celebrations. When given to a lama it is returned, charged with the power of holiness. This editon is revised (2013). Hear it read by the author on Archives.
Excrescence of Bacchus
Alexander Duncan’s second book of poems builds on the metaphysical and Buddhist themes of Khatas, originally published by Chroniker Press at the beginning of 2012. Excrescence of Bacchus is a frank and passionate exploration of the mind of the poet, which ranges widely from the pop music of Tom Waits to the bankruptcy of Western civilization to love and sex to morality, mortality, immortality, and the eternal quest for the self. Simultaneously lyrical and cerebral, radical and traditional, spiritual and carnal, Excrescence of Bacchus explores the enduring spirit of art and artistry in the face of the dehumanization and mediocrity of contemporary “man.” Thirty years in the making, Duncan is a major new voice in Canadian poetry. Both a warning and a promise, Excrescence of Bacchus is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit that, like life itself, and despite all odds, comes to fruition in the most surprising and inhospitable environments.
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