Gil Fronsdal

The Dhammapada is a core Buddhist text containing teachings of the Buddha. The goal of the teachings is the relief of suffering in this life and the ending of the cycle of birth and death by achieving Nirvana. While some of the teachings strike me as a bit contradictory, the message is clear that the materialism, narcissism, and clinging so characteristic of society today are not the way to go. I think the Dhammapada provides a model for behavior, for the treatment of self, and for the show more treatment of others that is beneficial and mostly achievable for anyone, not just an ascetic. Jack Kornfield's narration of the text is calm and soothing, but I think a more upbeat narration would work well too. I can't judge the quality of the translation, but I'm looking forward to seeking out other translations of this relatively short work for comparison. show less

Fascinating look at some of the earliest recorded teachings of the Buddha, which should be of interest to secular readers, too.

This book is full of thought provoking stories. I would recommend it to anyone who loves to contemplate.

Teachings of Gotama Buddha before “Buddhism” was formalized, possibly the earliest recorded teachings from the Pali Canon.
Reading this together with Stephen Batchelor’s The Art of Solitude.
Before Theravada, before Zen/Chan, before Vajrayana.
A very different teaching emerges.