This treasury of essential Buddhist writings draws from the most popular Indian, Tibetan, Chinese, and Japanese sources. Among the selections are some of the earliest recorded sayings of the Buddha on the practice of freedom, passages from later Indian scriptures on the perfection of wisdom, verses from Tibetan masters on the enlightened mind, and songs in praise of meditation by Zen teachers. The book also includes traditional instruction on how to practice sitting meditation, cultivate calm awareness, and live with compassion. Jack Kornfield, one of the most respected American Buddhist teachers, has compiled these teachings to impart the essence and inspiration of Buddhism to readers of all spiritual traditions.
Teachings of the Buddha: Revised and Expanded Edition
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Buddhist teacher Kornfield offers the essence of Buddhist teachings on enlightenment and transcendence in this new edition of his classic compilation of verse, parables and meditations. The selected teachings, translated by Thich Nhat Hanh, Thomas Byrom and Gil Fronsdal, a Zen priest with whom Kornfield trained in Southeast Asia, come from both ancient texts of the Buddha’s lessons and the poetic instructions of bodhisattvas, or awakened teachers, from India, Tibet, China and Japan. Eschewing both luxury and asceticism, the Buddha discovered a "Middle Path" of inner and outer balance in his search for enlightenment. "The Dharma of the Buddha does not require a person to go into homelessness or to resign from the world, unless he or she feels called upon to do so," advises the teacher Ashvaghosha in "Living in the World," but instead it "requires every person to free themselves from the illusion of self, to cleanse one’s heart, to give up one’s thirst for pleasure, and lead a life of righteousness." Like other religious texts, many of the teachings focus on the basic steps toward spiritual awakening, such as mindfulness, generosity, and loving-kindness. These tend to be short, comprehensible and quietly poetic. On Virtue, the Buddha said: "Like garlands woven from a heap of flowers, Fashion from your life as many good deeds." There are parables whose messages are not as straightforward, of course, and there, readers are left to their own musings, since aside from Kornfield’s brief introduction, the book only presents the inspiring literature.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
“A remarkably readable book that records some of the earliest recorded sayings of the historic Buddha.”—East and West Series
“An inspirational treasury of essential teachings from Buddhist literature—selected by one of the best-known American Buddhist teachers.”—Snow Lion
“An inspirational treasury of essential teachings from Buddhist literature—selected by one of the best-known American Buddhist teachers.”—Snow Lion
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By McMoonwalker
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I could hardly believe that this version of the book had no table of contents. I bought it after picking up the an old Barnes and Noble hardcover copy at a relative's house and really liking the short length and lucidity of the passages in that edition. Now, having to thumb madly through the pages to find a section that I want to read is a hindrance. A Buddhist might say that I'm attached to my desire to read something that I want to... but the truth is, I paid for this book, and would have paid much less (maybe one American dollar) had I known it would be so inconvenient.
Two stars because, if you have all the time in the world to get through the unorganized content, the writing is pretty easy to understand and could support readers in search of happiness.
Two stars because, if you have all the time in the world to get through the unorganized content, the writing is pretty easy to understand and could support readers in search of happiness.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By karma
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
We are using it as a daily meditation book. I'm sure it would also be a nice read cover to cover, but I enjoy just letting it fall open where it will and pondering the wisdom.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Excellent and enlightening and better understanding of Buddhism. Simple to understand both in belief and practice. A simple way of life.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wisdom literature
More wisdom from my favorite Buddhist author. You can read it through or read sections for inspiration. You can't go wrong with the Buddha and Dr. Jack.
Published 2 months ago by Dave Dugan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Extraordinary!
Very easy to read & understand! I can carry this little book in my pocket and use it any time I need a reminder about life's situations.
Published 2 months ago by Marisela Jimenez
4.0 out of 5 stars
Love it
A very easy read book and a must read for class. After analyzing each prose the meaning is clear to their teachings. Thank you and the price was just right.
Published 4 months ago by Shari Thomas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Teacher
Not enough can be said about the way he passes the message. I wish that i can someday meet him and thank him for the way he teaches, his compassion comes through in every sentence.
Published 5 months ago by chris
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Starting Point
This book is a good place to start learning the basics of Buddha's teachings. It it clearly written and easily understood.
Published 8 months ago by readsalot
5.0 out of 5 stars
A book to read and reread
I use it more as a referral book when I have a couple of minutes and just need to be reminded of Buddha's perspective. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Kristi Gabriel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love this little book
Easy to read and understand. Love this book. Book in exact condition as described. Received in timely manner. Happy with purchase.
Published on October 14, 2010 by Maria A. Villasenor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential reading for bettering your life
Whatever religion you are, this book is so excellent at providing guidance on living a better life that it's my second copy after my first was stolen.
Published on September 27, 2010 by nk3099
3.0 out of 5 stars
Cute book, but not strictly teachings of the Buddha
A cute little book easy to travel with or carry with you.
The book contains some teachings from the fundamental Buddhist texts, however, be aware that many of the... Read more
The book contains some teachings from the fundamental Buddhist texts, however, be aware that many of the... Read more
Published on May 12, 2009 by Mark Twain
5.0 out of 5 stars
****BUDDHISM INTRO****
A small and compact introduction into Buddhism. Sometimes larger teaching books confuse the layperson, I know from experience, but this is an easy to understand beginning into... Read more
Published on September 3, 2008 by Connemara
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 32
books:
See all 32 books this book cites
63
books
cite this book:
See all 63 books citing this book
- The Dhammapada: The Sayings of the Buddha (Sacred Teachings) by Thomas Byrom in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- The Diamond Sutra and the Sutra of Hui-Neng (Shambhala Dragon Editions) by A. F. Price on page 143, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Teachings of the Buddha (Shambhala Library) by Jack Kornfield in Front Matter, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Anguttara Nikaya by Nyanaponika Thera on page 37, page 89, and page 207
- Look Within by Scott Free on page 28, and page 96
See all 32 books this book cites
- Living Kindness: The Buddha's Ten Guiding Principles for a Blessed Life by Donald Altman on 4 pages
- After the Ecstasy, the Laundry: How the Heart Grows Wise on the Spiritual Path by Jack Kornfield in Front Matter, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Create Your Personal Sacred Text: Develop and Celebrate Your Spiritual Life by Bobbi Parish on page 74, page 87, and Back Matter
- From Warrior to Sage: A guide for moving beyond the ego by William Calhoun on page 4, and page 21
- Awakening at Midlife by Kathleen A. Brehony on page 31, and Back Matter
See all 63 books citing this book
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