A Buddhist View of 2012 and Beyond

Apr 8, 2011

by JSMaresca
posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

Rating:

Transforming Human Awareness-
A Buddhist View of 2012 and Beyond
By Dr. Juna Jinsei Publisher- Outskirts Press 2011

Reviewed By: Dr. Joseph S. Maresca

Today's world has its share of war. Shakyamuni Buddha predicted that
this era would arrive. Mappo would be a time of utter chaos and confusion.
i.e. Transformation of Russia, Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Lebanon and perhaps Syria
The Great Recession has produced financial upheavals just about everywhere.

Right now, changes are occurring in governments more easily.
The Lotus Sutra describes the onslaught of this moment as the
Ceremony of the Air, when the Great Buddhas
and Bodhisattvas surpass time and space to reunite and transfer
the essence of the Lotus Sutra to the Bodhisattva Jogyo so that this
simple teaching can be shared with the rest of the world. The good news
is that Mappo is an age when attaining enlightenment becomes easier.

The book discovers three important marks of human existence; namely,
impermanence, suffering and no-self. Impermanence and change
mark the current period. Hopefully, a sustainable world order of things
will emerge from the present flux. By sustainable, I refer to the food
supply, air quality, affordable energy, waste recycling and a plethora
of things having to do with maintaining a good quality of life on earth
for the next thousand years and beyond.

Breathing is extolled for the accumulation of prana, relaxation and
invigorating energy or Qi. The author describes a traditional Thai
farmhouse which has nothing but open space. The electric bill
is a mere $27. per month. The kitchen is simplified so that there
is half the equipment, half the dishes and half the cabinets.
The trend is to create simpler and smaller houses that are essentially
energy independent and therefore highly sustainable in the short
and long run.

The book has many basic principles which govern a sustainable
life in a new order of things in the world. Examples are as follows:

o Respect and care for the community of life
o Care for life with understanding and love
o Build democratic societies that are just, participatory and peaceful
o Secure the earth's bounty now and forever
o Protect the earth's ecological systems with concern for biological diversity
o Adopt patterns of production and consumption that preserve the earth's regenerative capacities
o Eradicate poverty
o Strengthen democratic institutions and provide transparency and accountability
o Promote education and life-long learning on an integrative basis

Overall, the contents of this work are considerable. Multiple readings of the book
may be in order to fully understand and appreciate the concepts enunciated.
The book is highly recommended for academicians and social thinkers everywhere.
The perspective is multi-disciplinary in nature. There is an extensive glossary
and reference section which explains the many new terms introduced to the
general reading public. Lastly, the author did a good job of organizing the book
and adhering to the universal theme of impending global transformation.

Dr. Juna Jinsei is a Pastoral Counseling Psychologist with a Masters degree in
Metaphysical Sciences. She has spent her life substantially as a scholar of ancient
philosophies, world religions and metaphysical practices. Throughout the
seventies and eighties she studied various Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhisms under
several gurus and spiritual teachers.

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JSMaresca August 15, 2011

Thank you, Adrianna.

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Adrianna August 15, 2011

Sounds like a very interesting and relevant read. Excellent review, Joseph!

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About the reviewer

Dr Joseph S Maresca (JSMaresca)

Dr. Joseph S. Maresca CPA, CISA PhD-Ross College Major- Accounting, Minor- Computer Applications Information Systems MBA-New York University … more