
The Buddha Before Buddhism
by Gil Fronsdal
Format: Paperback
ISBN13: 9781611803242
Paperback|9781611803242
✨ Featured Offer
Brand New
$20.20
List Price: $18.95
🚚
See all 5 offers from $12.71 FREE standard delivery by: 03 Apr 2026
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 |
View All Offers
Sort by:
Price
Condition
Seller
Seller Comments
Price
Used, Very Good
Seller details
St. Vinnie's Books
Eugene, OR, USA
Paperback 100% of proceeds go to charity! May have signs of use, wear and minor cosmetic defects.
Free delivery by: 03 Apr 2026
Used, Very Good
Seller details
HPB-Emerald
Dallas, TX, USA
Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and ...
Free delivery by: 03 Apr 2026
Used, Very Good
Seller details
Patty Klein, Hilltop Book Shop
Marshfield, WI, USA
Size: 4x0x7; Paperback in very good condition. Light edge wear to covers. Clean pages free of writ...
Free delivery by: 03 Apr 2026
✨ Brand New
Seller details
Book Forest
San Rafael, CA, USA
Supporting Bay Area Friends of the Library since 2010. Well packaged and promptly shipped.
Free delivery by: 03 Apr 2026
Used, Good
Seller details
Bonita
Santa Clarita, CA, USA
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. May be an ex-library book.
Free delivery by: 03 Apr 2026