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Gil Fronsdal

The Buddha before Buddhism: Wisdom from the Early Teachings Paperback – November 29, 2016

by Gil Fronsdal (Author)

30 customer reviews

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A translation with commentary of one of the earliest of the surviving Buddhist texts, which reveals the teachings to be remarkably simple and free of religious trappings.

The Aṭṭhakavagga, or “Book of Eights,” is believed by scholars to be among the earliest of written Buddhist texts, and in it we find the Buddha’s teaching pared down to its most uncomplicated essence. Gil Fronsdal’s translation and commentary reveals the text’s central concern to be the joy that comes from recognizing and letting go of attachment to the illusory views that create suffering. It’s simple medicine that works for us today as well as it did for the Buddha’s first listeners.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Provocative, unsettling and inspirational, this extraordinary collection of early Buddhist poems reveals a radical vision of human freedom grounded in the non-reactive peace of nirvana. Gil Fronsdal’s fine translation allows us to hear how the Dharma may originally have been uttered as poetry in the solitude of forests. In challenging some of the received wisdom of Buddhist orthodoxy, these teachings invite the reader to question deep-seated beliefs about truth itself. “-Stephen Batchelor, author of After Buddhism

“Widely acknowledged as one of the oldest texts in the Buddhist canon, the Aṭṭhakavagga is intriguingly different from other Buddhist scriptures, lacking many of the doctrinal propositions that have come to be associated with Buddhism. Gil Fronsdal’s fresh new translation, together with illuminating commentaries to each section of the text drawn both from scholarly research and from his many years of meditation practice, will make this classic text come alive for a new generation of readers.”–Jan Nattier, author of A Few Good Men: The Bodhisattva Path according to The Inquiry of Ugra

About the Author

Gil Fronsdal is co-teacher at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, California. He has practiced Buddhism in both the Zen and Vipassana traditions for over forty years. He received his PhD in religious studies from Stanford University. He has published a highly praised translation of the Dhammapada, as well as two other books: the author of The Issue at Hand: Essays on Mindfulness Practice and A Monastery Within: Tales from the Buddhist Path

Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Shambhala (November 29, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1611803241
ISBN-13: 978-1611803242
Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.6 x 7.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 30 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #410,735 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #136 in Buddhist Sacred Writings (Books)
- #423 in Tibetan Buddhism (Books)
- #3860 in Meditation (Books)

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Excellent reading

December 14, 2016

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Great food for thought about the Buddha's teachings. Deceptively simple, yet it completely overturns the great majority of religions' (Buddhism included!) claims to the "truth".

Gil does a great job explaining that much of the Who, When, and Where's of the book isn't really known. Having said that, he provides context for the writings and illuminates the more esoteric ideas by relating them to other common vedic ideas that were floating around at the time.

I found the book to be both facsinating on a scholarly level and inspiring on a personal level. Definitely worth a read!

30 people found this helpful

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5cat

Excellent explanation of the core of early Buddhism

December 29, 2016

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Fronsdal's book illuminates the core of the Buddha's teaching by skillfully explaining this key early text, & how it contrasts with other texts from the Pali canon. Highly recommended, especially if you want to understand the Buddha's method without the layers of supernatural & metaphysical thought it has accumulated.

19 people found this helpful

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Jesse Schell

Explaining an early sutta for Secular Buddhists

March 29, 2017

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This is an excellent book. The Atthakavaggo Sutta is considered by many Buddhist scholars as one of the oldest texts of the canon. It lacks most of the doctrine inserted into the canon by later monks. Although it's impossible to know what the Buddha actually taught, it is possible to surmise it from the earlier works. Mr Fronsdal's commentaries of the sections of this sutta provide us with excellent teachings on how to live the Buddha's way. I believe the book is directed to those of us who are Secular Buddhists, looking for a way to live the current life without all the speculation and make-believe of Religious Buddhism. If you want to think for yourself, try on Secular Buddhism. If you want to expand your understanding of Secular Buddhism, read this book. There is much good in it.

17 people found this helpful

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TheImprobable1

Excellent translation, well written analysis, illuminating poems

June 15, 2018

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Excellent book. Well written with engaging and thoughtful introductions. Mr. Fronsdal put a great deal of thought into the analysis of each discourse. Interesting look at early-ish Buddhist poems with an engaging translation. The poems demand immediate attention with the simplicity of the language and the essential elements of the Buddha’s teachings. A book worth reading for the poetry alone, the content essential for anyone interested in the Buddha’s Teachings.

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LeighB

A superb translation of an extremely important collection of suttas ...

September 28, 2017

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A superb translation of an extremely important collection of suttas. Gil's commentary points to many important nuances that would be missed in a single reading of this collection or missed if one is not fluent in Pali.

3 people found this helpful

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Timothy

Wonderfully written by a true honest person

February 4, 2018

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You have got to read this book. Wonderfully written by a true honest person. Tells a lot about Buddha to the extent that is possible. I always wanted to know about the very beginning.

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James

Excellent job Dr

April 19, 2017

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The early Pali works are illuminating and this is a very satisfying translation. Added material on context, translation decisions and history complete the package. Excellent job Dr. Fronsdal.

3 people found this helpful

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dug the k

Five Stars

January 29, 2017

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A clear look at an uncluttered view of Buddhism.

4 people found this helpful

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