Handbook for Mankind , Why were we born? What are we living for? Where is the value and meaning in life?

Though released in English previously, this volume marks the International Edition of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu's "Handbook for Mankind" . Such a statement begs the question as to what is particularly international about it. The answer lies in the following: though the efforts of the original compilers were undoubtedly valiant, the text remined enslaved by the Thai context, i.e. it preserved this set of lectures as delivered in 1956 to a group of prospective Thai judges - to people familiar with the concepts and paradigms of Buddhist and, furthermore, Buddhadasa's teachings. This edition was undertaken in order to broaden the applicability of Buddhadasa's "Handbook" to audiences unfamiliar with such mentalities. CONTENT Chapter 1 I Looking at Buddhism Chapter 2 The true nature of things Chapter 3 Three universal characteristics Chapter 4 Grasping and clinging Chapter 5 The threefold training Chapter 6 The things we cling to Chapter 7 Insight, by the nature method Chapter 8 Insight, by organized training Chapter 9 Emancipation from the world