The Buddha Before Buddhism
by Gil Fronsdal
Format: Paperback
ISBN13: 9781611803242
Paperback|9781611803242
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Overview
This easy-to-understand translation of one of the earliest surviving Buddhist texts offers a pathway to awakening that is simple, straightforward, and free of religious doctrine
One of the earliest of all Buddhist texts, theAtthakavagga, or "Book of Eights," is a remarkable document, not only because it comes from the earliest strain of the literature-before the Buddha, as the title suggests, came to be thought of as a "Buddhist"-but also because its approach to awakening is so simple and free of adherence to any kind of ideology. Instead theAtthakavaggapoints to a direct and simple approach for attaining peace without requiring the adherence to doctrine.
The value of the teachings it contains is not in the profundity of their philosophy or in their authority as scripture; rather, the value is found in the results they bring to those who live by them. Instead of doctrines to be believed, the "Book of Eights" describes means or practices for realizing peace. GilFronsdal'srigorous translation with commentary reveals the text to be of interest not only to Buddhists, but also to the ever-growing demographic of spiritual-but-not-religious, who seek a spiritual life outside the structures of religion.
One of the earliest of all Buddhist texts, theAtthakavagga, or "Book of Eights," is a remarkable document, not only because it comes from the earliest strain of the literature-before the Buddha, as the title suggests, came to be thought of as a "Buddhist"-but also because its approach to awakening is so simple and free of adherence to any kind of ideology. Instead theAtthakavaggapoints to a direct and simple approach for attaining peace without requiring the adherence to doctrine.
The value of the teachings it contains is not in the profundity of their philosophy or in their authority as scripture; rather, the value is found in the results they bring to those who live by them. Instead of doctrines to be believed, the "Book of Eights" describes means or practices for realizing peace. GilFronsdal'srigorous translation with commentary reveals the text to be of interest not only to Buddhists, but also to the ever-growing demographic of spiritual-but-not-religious, who seek a spiritual life outside the structures of religion.
| ISBN-13 | 9781611803242 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10 | 1611803241 |
| Weight | 0.43 Pounds |
| Dimensions | 4.99 x 0.53 x 7.73 In |
| List Price | $18.95 |
| Format | Paperback |
|---|---|
| Pages | 192 pages |
| Publisher | Shambhala |
| Published On | 2016-11-29 |
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