Buddha's Little Instruction Book [Paperback]

Jack Kornfield (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1994

Just as the serene beauty of the lotus blossom grows out of muddy water, Buddha's simple instructions have helped people to find wholeness and peace amid life's crisis and distractions for more than 2,500 years.  For this small handbook, a well-known American Buddhist teacher and psychologist has distilled and adapted an ancient teaching for the needs of contemporary life.  Its practical reminders and six meditations can infuse smallest everyday action with insight and joy.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Just as the serene beauty of the lotus blossom grows out of muddy water, Buddha's simple instructions have helped people to find wholeness and peace amid life's crisis and distractions for more than 2,500 years. For this small handbook, a well-known American Buddhist teacher and psychologist has distilled and adapted an ancient teaching for the needs of contemporary life. Its practical reminders and six meditations can infuse smallest everyday action with insight and joy.

About the Author

Jack Kornfield was trained as a Buddhist monk in Thailand, Burma, and India and has taught meditation worldwide since 1974. He is one of the key teachers to introduce Theravada Buddhist practice to the West. For many years his work has been focused on integrating and bringing alive the great Eastern spiritual teachings in an accessible way for Western students and Western society. Jack also holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. He is a husband, father, psychotherapist, and founding teacher of the Insight Meditation Society and the Spirit Rock Center. His books include A Path with Heart, Seeking the Heart of Wisdom, A Still Forest Pool, and Stories of the Spirit, Stories of the Heart. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (May 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553373854
• ISBN-13: 978-0553373851
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.4 x 4.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,363 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jack Kornfield, Ph.D. co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, in 1975 and later, the Spirit Rock Center in Woodacre, California. He holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. His books include After the Ecstasy, the Laundry and the national bestseller A Path with Heart (over 100,000 copies in print).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book so much it's falling apart at the seams~~, November 24, 2001

By 

*Q* "rusty spurs" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Buddha's Little Instruction Book (Paperback)

The first thing I want to comment on is the title. This book is not exactly an instruction book per se, although at the end of the book it gives Meditation tidbits. I've had this wonderful little book for years. The first 124 pages give a a single quote above a watercolor type drawing.

Time and time again I reach for this book to give me a desired quote to live by, such as the following on page 11,

"The heart is like a garden. It can grow compassion or fear, resentment or love. What seeds will you plant there?"

Just a handfull of words but perhaps change the course of your day. As I said in the Title of my review, I love this book so much it is falling apart at the seams, and I mean literally the pages are no longer connected to the binding. This is truly a little treasure!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, December 25, 2002

By 

Thinh Tran (Rochester, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Buddha's Little Instruction Book (Paperback)

I must admit, I am extremely surprised by some of the negative responses that followed this amazing book. Although simple, this book provided some of the most thought provoking, awe inspiring words I have ever set eyes upon. This book is not "trite" as certain people have commented. Look beyond the words of this book for its true meanings are beyond the world of visions. These succinct lines, although seemingly cliche upon cursory perusal, truly contains a world of hidden
meanings. After all, the great magiccal things of life lies in the simplest.

I recommend this book with all my heart and soul. Listen not to others and judge for yourself. Read these lines with your heart. There are more to them than meet the eyes.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fun, Helpful Little Book, December 9, 1999

By 

J. Hoopes (Costa Mesa, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Buddha's Little Instruction Book (Paperback)

I like this one. Each page is a saying to help give you a sense of perspective on life.

The way I use this book is that each morning, I read one saying. During the day, if the stress of work starts to get to me, I stop for five minutes and concentrate on the day's saying. It helps me focus and not let the pressure get to me.

It helps me a great deal.