Teachings of the Buddha (Shambhala Pocket Classics) [Paperback]

Jack Kornfield (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 9, 1993 | Series: Shambhala Pocket Classics

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.

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 the Hardcover edition.

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 --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala; 1st edition (November 9, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877738602
• ISBN-13: 978-0877738602
• Product Dimensions: 3.1 x 0.7 x 4.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #265,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Buddhism > Buddha
  • #30 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Buddhism > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A book to read and reread, June 18, 2011

By 

Kristi Gabriel (Lexington,KY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Teachings of the Buddha (Mass Market Paperback)

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.
I am going to keep it in my car so I can grab it wherever I go.

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this little book, October 14, 2010

By 

Maria A. Villasenor "jazzylady" (Azusa, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Teachings of the Buddha (Mass Market Paperback)

Easy to read and understand. Love this book. Book in exact condition as described. Received in timely manner. Happy with purchase.

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for bettering your life, September 27, 2010

By 

nk3099 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Teachings of the Buddha (Mass Market Paperback)

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.