Come and See for Yourself: The Buddhist Path to Happiness [Paperback]

Ayya Khema (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2004

Ayya Khema explores 12 short extracts from the vast collection of Buddhist teachings, encouraging us to take an honest look at ourselves. If we can take this step, we may find we suffer from anger, fear and greed, but we may also discover the seeds of contentment and inner peace. Ayya Khema exhorts us to use awareness, reflection and meditation - the simple tools for change prescribed by the Buddha 2500 years ago. Training our mind in this way, we can release ourselves from the grip of negative emotions and enjoy the benefits of greater joy and confidence. The Buddha urged people to come and see for themselves the truth of his teachings - to test them in the fires of their own experience. To those who take up this challenge, he promises a path of increasing happiness and freedom.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Windhorse Publications (August 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1899579451
• ISBN-13: 978-1899579457
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,619,650 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rapture and happiness within our reach......, October 17, 2003

By 

Christopher Frenzen (Monterey, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Come and See for Yourself: The Buddhist Path to Happiness (Paperback)

What a pleasant surprise to find this book by Ayya Khema in my local bookstore. I have several other books by her which I treasure because her voice is so clear and inspiring. I have many books on Buddhism, and it seems like it is the Western voices which speak most clearly to me. Ayya's is one of the clearest, most gentle, most compassionate of these.

The present book invites us, just as the Buddha did, to come and see for ourselves. It is based on talks that Ayya gave at a Buddhist community in southern Germany in 1994. The talks have been translated and transcribed in this book. Each is based on traditional Buddhist scriptures.

Each chapter starts with the scripture extract, and is followed by an extended discussion elaborating, elucidating, unwrapping, explaining, and guiding the reader on how to practically implement the teachings in the scripture.

Ayya reminds us on page 164, ``...the Buddha's words are only pointers to the right path; we have to take every step on that path for ourselves.'' All of Ayya's books are great guides to following the right path, and are extremely inspiring.

The chapter titles here are

1.) Insight into impermanence leads to happiness

2.) The thirty-eight blessings

3.) And end to all suffering

4.) The faults of others

5.) Two kinds of treasure

6.) Five ways to overcome anger and resentment

7.) What should we believe

8.) The seven fetters

9.) Four fundamental teachings

10.) Loving-kindness

11.) Gaining insight

12.) The heart of perfect wisdom

From Chapter 3,

Keep the company of noble friends

Who live a pure life, who are not lethargic.

Be friendly wherever you are.

Always be prudent in all your actions.

Then, filled with bliss you will

Make an end to all suffering.

---Dhammapada 376

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and insightful information, October 14, 2007

By 

N. Colvin (Armidale, New South Wales Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Come and See for Yourself: The Buddhist Path to Happiness (Paperback)

Once again a great book from Ayya Khema. She has the ability to present information about Buddhist teachings very clearly. I particularly liked the section on the Heart Sutra. I can recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding Buddhist teachings.