What the Buddha Taught: Revised and Expanded Edition with Texts from Suttas and Dhammapada | 
| Author: Walpola Rahula
Publisher: Grove Press
Category: Book
List Price: $13.00
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Avg. Customer Rating:  78 reviews
Sales Rank: 4343
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 151
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.6
ISBN: 0802130313
Dewey Decimal Number: 294.34
EAN: 9780802130310
ASIN: 0802130313
Publication Date: 1974
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Amazon.com
Beneath the enormous umbrella of Buddhism, there is a diverse galaxy of customs and beliefs, but there is also a kernel of truth that every sect holds dear. Rahula Walpola, scholar and monk, discovers this foundation of Buddhism for us first through straightforward explication, never skipping over a point that has yet to be substantiated, then through translations from key scriptures. Logical and focused, these are the essentials of Buddhism; know them first, then move comfortably on to other Buddhist works.
Product Description
A classic introductory book to Buddhism, What the Buddha Taught contains a selection of illustrative texts from the original Pali texts, including the Suttas and the Dhammapada. The author, himself a Buddhist monk and scholar, removes a number of common misconceptions about Buddhism, and provides a comprehensive, compact, lucid, and faithful account of the Buddha’s teachings that persistently enjoys great popularity in colleges, universities, and theological schools both here and abroad. “For years," says the Journal of the Buddhist Society, "the newcomer to Buddhism has lacked a simple and reliable introduction to the complexities of the subject. Dr. Rahula’s What the Buddha Taught fills the need as only could be done by one having a firm grasp of the vast material to be sifted. It is a model of what a book should be that is addressed first of all to ‘the educated and intelligent reader.' Authoritative and clear, logical and sober, this study is as comprehensive as it is masterly."
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| Customer Reviews: Read 73 more reviews...
 Foremost book on Buddhism for scholastic rigor and simplicity May 5, 2008
This is the foremost book on Buddhism recommended for it's simplicity, authenticity, completeness, and scholastic rigor. If you want to know what Buddhism is really about, rather than what some popular crackpot or charlatan is trying to re-brand as Buddhism these days, this is the book to read. It is written with non-Buddhists curious about Buddhism in mind, and is suitable for use in college-level courses. Even if you're a Buddhist, this is worth reading just to see if you have any misconceptions about Buddhism.
 Breath of fresh air April 15, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book is simple and down to earth in its presentation of Buddhism. So much so, in fact, that I am almost embarrassed by my books on Tibetan, Zen, Theravadan and all the other sectarian accounts of the Buddha's teachings. Reading Rahula, I have to ask: when did Buddhism get so complicated? And why? From his presentation, the additions to the teachings by later traditions seem superfluous indeed.
Enlightening April 12, 2008
By far the most infomative book on buddhism, avoiding over simplification and really getting to the heart of this philosophy.
What the Buddha Taught March 9, 2008
A book that will give you a clear, easy to understand introduction to Buddhism. Will help make hard to grasp aspects of Buddhism clear to the reader.
In The Buddhas Own Words February 19, 2008
Walpola Rahula wrote this in the 50's so its not infiltrated with much newer "New Agey" takes on Buddhism. It gives a good idea of how and what the Buddha actually said, his style of preaching. He was repetetive to make sure the people around him understood what he meant so it could be recalled easier. I could actually picture and hear the Buddha lecturing the avid listeners as they became aware right on the spot. This book is very helpful to those who already have some basic knowledge of Buddhism. A truly oustanding work.
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