This clear and informative guide draws on the words spoken by the Buddha to convey the true nature of Buddhist wisdom.

The first on the Buddhism list! (from CIMC) Definitely interesting as a background book - it's nice to know that meditation techniques are so old. His rules for living seem more slippery though and the frequent references to purity and defilement are off-putting. The way that the translator complains about the validity of other people's translations is kind of entertaining and is also a reminder to take it all with grains of salt. (April 11, 2006) ( )

This indispensable volume is a lucid and faithful account of the Buddha’s teachings. “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.”
This edition contains a selection of illustrative texts from the Suttas and the Dhammapada (specially translated by the author), sixteen illustrations, and a bibliography, glossary and index.

A Therevada Buddhist monk lays out the basic doctrine of that tradition, to which most varieties of Buddhism you're likely to encounter owe some debt. ( )

Excellent material but for a beginner (this was my first book on Buddhism) it was a tough slog. Worth it, though! ( )