In this book, Ben Connelly shows the power of integrating early Buddhist psychology with the Mahayana emphasis on collective liberation. You’ll discover how wisdom from fourth-century India can be harnessed to heal and transform systems of harm within ourselves and our communities.
The three natures (svabhavas)—the imaginary, dependent, and complete, realized natures—are inherent aspects of all phenomena. The imaginary nature of things is what we think they are. Their dependent nature is that they appear to arise from countless conditions. The complete, realized nature is that they aren’t as we imagine them to be: things that can be grasped or pushed away. The three natures form the backbone of Yogacara philosophy, and by showing us how to see beyond our preconceived notions of ourselves and others, beyond the things that we’re convinced are “true,” they open up a path to personal and communal healing.
Dive into this empowering approach to freedom from suffering, from harmful personal and social patterns, and to finding peace and joyfulness in the present.
“It is a pleasure to read this subtle, contemporary exposition of a great Buddhist classic. Connelly’s insightful and often-moving commentary displays the profound relevance of Vasubandhu’s Yogacara philosophy both to personal practice and to the wider social world.”
“Ben Connelly's extraordinary new book is almost impossible to classify. Framed as a fresh translation of and commentary on the ‘Treatise on Three Natures’ by the great Indian Buddhist master Vasubandhu, it is that and very much more. It is also a memoir, a psychological study, an exploration of social and political concerns, and an exercise in interreligious inquiry. Beautifully written, it fuses lucid explanations of often-difficult Yogacara ideas with attention to everyday concerns in a way that can help all of us apply Buddhist wisdom to the lives we live in the twenty-first century. Through such a fusion, Connelly points the way toward a new and distinctive form of Buddhist commentary uniquely suited to our complex and contentious era.”
“Vasubandhu's “Three Natures”: A Practitioner's Guide for Liberation is a remarkable book, a powerful and lucid exploration, and a beautiful new translation of the ‘Treatise on Three Natures.’ One of the great virtues of this important work by scholar and practitioner Ben Connelly is its focus on the practical application of the Yogacara view.”
“The practical application of Vasubandhu’s ancient wisdom to contemporary oppressive challenges is no small task, yet Ben Connelly, through his own wounded-healer imagination, lived experiences in diverse relationships, and appreciation for freedom fighters, shows us how to understand and embody the mystery of Vasubandhu’s teachings without getting lost in esoterica and spiritual bypassing.”
