The Fragrance of Light

Drawing on a wide-ranging selection of masters and scriptures, The Fragrance of Light presents a rich collection of passages that span the breadth of Buddhist thought across the ages. This anthology will stimulate readers, providing them with challenging insights that go to the heart of the human condition and to our need for spiritual liberation. It also reveals a side to Buddhism that may be unfamiliar to many but which represents the heart of this tradition as a vibrant and living faith with much to offer seekers in the modern world.

"In this wonderful collection, John Paraskevopoulos has lovingly selected passages that illuminate centuries of wisdom in Buddhist themes that cohere and blend into the great flow of boundless compassion."--MARK UNNO, University of Oregon

"This anthology succeeds in bringing together a perfect compendium of inspirational quotations from all the major Buddhist traditions, demonstrating the strength of the Other-Power approach. The readings take us, by way of four sections, from our current reality to our ultimate goal; with great skill and clarity, the author introduces each by giving the Buddhist context. This book will be an excellent companion for our journey along the Pure Land way."--KENNETH MULLEN, University of Glasgow

"Breaking away from desiccated concepts of 'emptiness' and humanist reductionism, Paraskevopoulos offers us nothing less than an antidote to secularized Buddhism for modern audiences. This wonderful anthology exudes the perfume of wisdom, beauty and devotion to prove that, if words have any meaning, Buddhism is indeed a religion."--PATRICK LAUDE, Georgetown University

John Paraskevopoulos was born in Australia and studied Philosophy at the University of Melbourne. He is a Shin Buddhist minister and was ordained in Kyoto in 1994. His writings focus on the Buddha's teachings for ordinary people and how they can help enrich our everyday lives. He is the author of Call of the Infinite, which is an introduction to Shin Buddhism for lay audiences.