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The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikaya (Teachings of the Buddha) Hardcover – November 9, 1995


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The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikaya (Teachings of the Buddha) + The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya (Teachings of the Buddha) + The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya
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Product Details

  • Series: Teachings of the Buddha
  • Hardcover: 1424 pages
  • Publisher: Wisdom Publications (November 9, 1995)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 086171072X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0861710720
  • Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.6 x 2.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,580 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This new translation of the Majjhima Nikaya, part of the Pali Canon touching on the nature of Nirvana and the Four Noble Truths, is considered by scholars to be the most reliable source for the original teachings of the historical Buddha.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A triumph." (The Middle Way)

"Everyone who reads The Middle Length Discourses must be struck by the richness of its contents." (Buddhist Studies Review)

"A book to be kept close at hand for a lifetime--like the teacher and beneficial friend it will surely become for those with a deep interest in the dhamma...a book for our generation that will, I think, long endure as a classic of scholarship and render the teachings of the historical Buddha accessible to any who have eyes to see and the interest to look." (Inquiring Mind)

"This new translation of the Majjhima Nikaya...is considered by scholars to be the most reliable source for the original teachings of the historical Buddha." (Library Journal)

"...remarkable both in its scope and in its contemporary rendering of the Buddha's words." (Tricycle)

"Most welcome..." (Mountain Record)

"It can be difficult for Westerners to penetrate the 'official' Buddhist canon, but one English-language translation stands above the rest: The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha, published by Wisdom Publications." (Mark Schneider, religion reporter, Canadian Television News)

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
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Excellent translation from Bhikkhu Bodhi as usual.
S. Tu
I would definitely recommend the book for anyone serious enough to want to know the teachings of the historical Buddha.
Chris
You can easily finish the book in less than a year, and have enough time left over to read the Introduction as well.
Brad4d

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

200 of 206 people found the following review helpful By Roger H. Fisher on January 3, 2000
Format: Hardcover
I love Buddhism and I adore reading books about it. Still, when I look at the endless list of books currently in print, old and new, addressed to Buddhist topics, I cannot help but think there may finally be too many of them! Can there really be a market for books devoted to such questions as What if the Buddha Dated? Or to Buddhism and Bears? Goodness.
I am particularly puzzled by this mountain of books because I know that, buried deep within it, is the real bedrock of Buddhism, the ancient Sutta Pitaka, of which the Majjhima Nikaya (or Middle Length Discourses) is the second volume. Why doesn't this bedrock generate as much popular enthusiasm as that readily inspired by the less significant edifices merely erected upon it? Derived from orally transmitted texts, the Sutta Pitaka is virtually as old as the Buddha himself, and is presumed by many (though of course not all) to preserve the oldest and most authentic account of his teaching, his personality and his life. Nearly everything else we are familiar with in Buddhism springs from it. Though one might have to detour around rather a lot of unrelated material in it to find the Buddha's ideas specifically regarding dating or bears, I believe it is probably all there, neatly fitted into only a few powerfully poetic volumes.
And thanks to the brilliant scholarship and profound comprehension of Buddhism possessed by many modern translators (for the Majjhima they are are Nanamoli and Bodhi), these have become thoroughly readable, easily accessible works. They teem with the sights, sounds and reality of Buddha's everyday world and the issues which concerned him most. The Sutta Pitaka is peopled by his friends and enemies, and enlivened by his ideas, his frustrations and his triumphs.
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74 of 76 people found the following review helpful By A Customer on November 1, 1999
Format: Hardcover
If there is one book in English that all Buddhists should read, this is the one. The Majjhima Nikaya (Middle-length Discourses) is, along with the other nikayas of the Pali Canon, probably as close as we can come today to reading the actual words of the Buddha. The Mahayana sutras have their own great virtues, with their lofty vision and profound scope, but these Middle-length Discourses are on a much more human scale. What a joy and inspiration it is to walk with the Buddha through the villages of ancient India and hear his teachings to monks, royalty, peasants and members of the other religious sects of the time. Although his teachings weren't put into writing for several centuries after his death, the monks of that period put great emphasis on memorization and group recitals to ensure that nothing was lost. This lovely English translation is a great treasure for the modern world, and particularly for all Buddhists.
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51 of 51 people found the following review helpful By M. Dillon VINE VOICE on February 12, 2002
Format: Hardcover
Hard work, diligent effort, and a commitment to share the Dharma, all combine into this one book. This is an extensive piece of work. Bhikkhu Bodhi has compiled the Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha into a fine reference guide for us all to enjoy.
The discourses, which are talks that the Buddha gave, were chanted for over a hundred years after the passing of the Buddha and were eventually written down. They were written in the same form as the chants, which offer many repetitions, which like any song/chant, makes it easier to remember.
I would not suggest this to be the first book on Buddhism or the Buddha's teachings for most people unless you are a scholarly type. There are numerous wonderful books available that would benefit most people before delving into such a comprehensive book. That being said, once you have done some reading and want to explore the teachings of the Buddha in more depth, this is the perfect book. For me, I feel this is as close to the original teachings of the Buddha as we can get, now some 2,500+ years later.
I find myself returning to this book often. Reading a discourse, and then contemplating and seeing how it applies in my life, brings much happiness and joy.
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33 of 34 people found the following review helpful By Paul Rentz on November 15, 2002
Format: Hardcover
I bought this book back in 1995 when it first came out. After reading the first 10 pages or so and tackling a few of the suttas, I set it back on the shelf unread and left it there for 7 years. For various reasons, i.e. more lessons in humility, this Summer about mid July 2002, I dusted it off and started reading again. Wow-what a blast, a direct shot from the Buddha to me! It was clear, simple and unmistakable. "If you do and think this way, you will receive that kind of result." Across the centuries and millenia flew the dhamma! As they say when the student is ready the teacher will appear. Maybe I needed to suffer another 7 years before I'd consent to read the dhamma in its original form. Yeah the Mayahana cannon is brillant too. As other reviewers have mentioned this is not a book for the faint hearted. If you buy it be prepared to read something like the King James version of the Bible, but with one important difference--the Majjhima Nikaya (MN) reveals the Ultimate and realtive truth about you and your immediate situation. Its actually a little more readable than the King James. I can only say "ditto" to all the other reviewers who have mentioned "why only read the second hand information from contemporary authors when the real dirt is right here". If you wanted to keep a secret from an Amercian Buddhist the best place to hide it would be somewhere in the Majjhima Nikaya! That's the last place they'll ever look. Sure I've had Buddhist teachers suggest to the group that we read the suttas but somehow Rumi or Mary Oliver always seemed a lot more inspiring. And Rumi and Mary Oliver are great writers of the universal dhamma. I hope this doesn't sound angry or cynical because I'm smiling and joyful as I write it.Read more ›
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