Customer Reviews

Teachings of a Buddhist Monk

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Ajahn Sumedho is a Buddhist Monk trained in the Thai Forest Tradition of Theravada Buddhism. He is a follower of Ajahn Chah who taught many Westerners.

This book is a real treat. I have done extensive reading on Buddhism, particularly the Theravada tradition. Ajahn Chah started many monasteries and those who followed him, Ajahn Sumedho, Ajahn Amaro, Jack Kornfield, and many others, all seem to offer such wisdom in presenting the Dharma. Their way of teaching, to me, is very direct and practical. Not high in the head thinking, but real, basic, and very applicable to my life. (Isn't that what we all want?)

I read through this short book in just a few days and enjoyed it so much I've started rereading it again! If you are new to Buddhism, this is a great place to start, if you are an 'old pro' you'll enjoy this one too!

Ajahn Sumedho does not try to win us over with grandiose ideas, detailed dogma, or tantalizing promises of transcendent states, but seems to emphasize being present in the moment, as simple and non-glamorous as it might be. If that sounds easy, he makes it clear how in one and the same time it is and it is not, as though we are so absorbed with all the stuff we carry inside that we miss what is really going on time and time again (no matter how well versed in the Dhamma we might be). He emphasizes his points by using himself as an example and making lighthearted fun of himself. The only promise for peace and vanquishing suffering on any level is in our starting to realize the same things about ourselves and to find the spaciousness of mind and heart that Sumedho shows to be possible. Sumedho's other books are highly recommended also.

In the US, it is real hard to find Theravada Buddhism book. You go to bookstores, you can only find Zen or Tibetan Buddhism books. This is one of the great Theravada Buddhism books for those serious Buddhist or new interest or even critique of Buddhism. Easy to read yet fills with great information. The Buddha four noble truth illustrated so well in here and easy to understand.