BUDDHIST ADVICE FOR LIVING & LIBERATION: NAGARJUNA'S 'PRECIOUS GARLAND'. by Hopkins, Jeffrey - 1998

Ithaca, New York: Snow Lion, 1998. 283 pp, 8vo (8 15/16" H). English and Tibetan text. "Nagarjuna is renowned for his penetrating analysis of reality. In the 'Precious Garland', he offers intimate counsel on how to conduct one's life and how to construct social policies that reflect Buddhist ideals. The advice for personal happiness is concerned first with improving one's condition over the course of lifetimes and then with release from all types of suffering, culminating in Buddhahood. In his advice on social and governmental policy, Nagarjuna emphasizes education, compassionate care for all living beings, not using the death penalty but reforming criminals, and charity for the homeless. Calling for the appointment of government figures who are not seeking profit or fame, he advises that a selfish motivation will lead to misfortune. The book includes a detailed analysis of attachment to sensual objects as a preparation for realization of the profound truth that, when realized, makes attachment impossible." Interior - previous owner's chop mark (stamp) on first page with faint ink offset on inside of front cover, otherwise clean and tight with no other ownership marks. Exterior - soft corner crease on front cover, slight curl to corners of covers - slight migration into adjacent pages, two small number series stamped on bottom of text block.. Soft Cover. Very Good.