Heartwood of the Bodhi Tree: The Buddha's Teaching on Voidness (Paperback)

by Buddhadasa Bhikku (Author)
Key Phrases: quenching element, formless element, void contact, Great Person, Noble Ones, Triple Gem (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"...masterfully explains how to develop this profound practice in daily life." -- NAPRA Review

"...one of the most prolific and influential teachers in our modern era..." -- Turning Wheel

"...remarkable book..." -- Inquiring Mind

"Heartwood of the Bodhi Tree introduces emptiness (voidness) in a clear and full way as an original teaching of the Buddha...it emphasizes the importance of emptiness in all Buddhist traditions and contributes to non-sectarian dialogue and understanding..." -- Larry Rosenberg, Director, Cambridge Insight Meditation Center

Product Description
"In this remarkable book, Ajahn Buddhadasa teaches us beautifully, profoundly, and simply the meaning of sunnata, or voidness, which is a thread that links every great school of Buddhism....He teaches us the truth of this voidness with the same directness and simplicity with which he invites us into his forest." — from the foreword by Jack Kornfield

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Product Details

• Paperback: 150 pages
• Publisher: Wisdom Publications (August 25, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0861710355
• ISBN-13: 978-0861710355
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #456,892 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Getting to the empty heart of Buddhism, November 5, 1998

By A Customer

I read this book, published under the title, Heartwood of the Bo Tree, while I was living in Thailand. It is, in my opinion, an extremely important discussion on the essential truth of Buddhism, stripping away all of the unnecessary glitz which accompanies it in the East and all of the new-age pseudo gurus who speak and write about Eastern religion in the West. I found myself entranced by the text, which is actually a series of lectures, originally given in Thai, to Thai laypeople by a revered senior monk, Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. The sermons methodically and simply explain the simple essence of Buddhism as they cover the most crucial truths which, interestingly, all seem to boil down to one: Emptiness. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is truly interested in Buddhism without all of its trappings, or someone who is struggling to let go of all which causes them sufferring. (i.e. let go of absolutely everything-including their strife for happiness) Hope that doesn't give too much away! I am very pleased to see that this book is now available outside of Thailand, because I loaned my well worn copy to my brother-in-law over two years ago and haven't seen it since. It's still hard not to cling.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwood of the Bodhi Tree, April 24, 2000

By	Fischer Erhard (Switzerland) - See all my reviews

This is a real precious gem very clear and sharp. Buddhadasa points his finger and one really forgets the finger and sees exactly what he is pointing at. The most perfect teaching to directly experience and realize, in the very moments of reading. Everybody interested in Buddhism beginner or not can profit, as the book is both easy to read and full of enlightening information of the real nature of our existence. Personally I have read few books with such power and clarity. Buddhadasa shows "Void ness" he dos not merely talk about. This book is heart to heart communication, in the real sense of the words, it is more then fantastic, excellent or great, but it is simply realistic.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars straight to the heart of matters, February 8, 2006

By	Jo M. Thompson (Oak Park, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The most straightforward, authoritative, and impressive collection of Dhamma talks on emptiness I have come across, by a teacher embodying the simultaneously ordinary and profound material he teaches. Something to read and contemplate over and over.