The Pocket Buddha Reader [Paperback]

Anne Bancroft (Compiler)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 10, 2001

Here is the core of the Buddha's teaching in his own words, as it was memorized word for word by his disciples and written down two hundred years after his death. These selections from the Buddhist scriptures deal with the search for truth, the way of contemplation, life and death, living in community, and many other topics, serving as an excellent introduction to the Buddha's teaching. Whether addressed to monks and nuns, householders, outcastes, or thieves, the Buddha's teachings are characterized by one main concern: conveying the reality of our bondage to suffering—and the supremely good news that liberation is possible. It is a concern as relevant for people today as it was for the people of north India a millennium and a half ago.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala; Min edition (April 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570627770
• ISBN-13: 978-1570627774
• Product Dimensions: 3 x 0.8 x 4.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #304,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Buddhism > Buddha
  • #36 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Buddhism > General
  • #38 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Eastern Religions > Eastern Philosophy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Belongs in Your Back Pocket, June 25, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Pocket Buddha Reader (Paperback)

I would consider this the most accessible pocket reader on the Buddha. There's plenty of substance between the pages which can answer most if not all of your questions about the Buddha's philosphy. Something you can read over and over as you evolve spiritually. It's strangely made easier to read because of the color of paper it's printed on. Of all the shambhala pocket readers, I'd pick this if I had to choose one.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars nice compact compendium, December 28, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Pocket Buddha Reader (Paperback)

After years of harboring vaguely Buddhist sentiments, I came across this book and found it quite fascinating. It is a somewhat disorganized assembly of very brief quotes from various discourses of the Buddha and related materials, written in modern conversational English. It encouraged me to obtain the full-length versions of the Digha Nikaya and other parts of the Pali Canon. So I credit this book for helping to get me started in a deeper exploration of the Buddha's teachings.

If you are an advanced student of Buddhism you might not be satisfied by the abbreviated material or the compiler's casual and footnote-free handling of complex, controversial matters like the "no self" issue. On the other hand, if you want to keep several copies of an affordable book handy to give to people who express an interest in learning more about Buddhism, this might be a great choice for such outreach efforts.

By the way this same material was also published in a regular-sized book entitled "The Buddha Speaks."

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Plcket Buddha Reader Becomes A Friend, January 28, 2006

By 

Vivian M. Jackson (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Pocket Buddha Reader (Paperback)

This is an exceptionally fine book. I take it with me everywhere, just in case I need a lift. When I get down, it's there to lend an assist.