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The Noble Eightfold Path: Way to the End of Suffering Paperback – April 1, 2006
- Print length144 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherBPS Pariyatti Editions
- Publication dateApril 1, 2006
- Dimensions4.5 x 0.5 x 7.75 inches
- ISBN-10192870607X
- ISBN-13978-1928706076
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Product details
- Publisher : BPS Pariyatti Editions; 3.2.2006 edition (April 1, 2006)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 144 pages
- ISBN-10 : 192870607X
- ISBN-13 : 978-1928706076
- Item Weight : 6.1 ounces
- Dimensions : 4.5 x 0.5 x 7.75 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #906,905 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3,955 in Buddhism (Books)
- #4,651 in Art History (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Bodhi was introduced to the concept of Eastern meditation in the 1970s. He adopted this hybrid lifestyle around a regular life pursuits that included profession and family just like the many other Western aspirants who began pursuing this concept Eastern Enlightenment at that time. In the nearly 50 years since that time, he has been obsessively engaged in a disciplined and regular use of these Eastern techniques and the study of their philosophies and science while actively engaged in an otherwise fully normal active Western lifestyle. He has been a lifelong student of science and mathematics and actively engaged in his ongoing homegrown enlightenment experiment in pursuit of the Ultimate Truth.
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book provides a clear and concise explanation of Buddhism's teachings. They describe it as a great, essential read for those interested in Buddhism. The author provides insightful and erudite information on consciousness. The book provides an excellent description of the Noble Eightfold Path and guides readers along a coherent path.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book provides a concise and detailed overview of Buddha's teachings. They find it an excellent introduction to the path as set out in the Pali Canon of the Thervada school. It is well-written and articulated, providing a comprehensive yet down-to-earth view.
"...It is clear, concise, and complete, and I thank him for it. What remains to be done is practice with hope and faith that one lifetime is sufficient." Read more
"...written, because the slim book and the simplicity and clarity of the writing style makes one underestimate the "weightiness" of what's being so well..." Read more
"...it lays out, in broad context, from start to finish, a step-by-step guide to enlightenment." Read more
"Short book covering the eightfold path in some of clearest ways I have encountered...." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They consider it a must-read for anyone interested in Buddhism. The book provides an accessible introduction to spiritual practice and is considered one of the best of Bikkhu Bodhi's writings.
"...Personally, I believe this is the best of Bikkhu Bodhi's writings. It is clear, concise, and complete, and I thank him for it...." Read more
"...why? because it tell me the way to practice to better my life. not just sweet talk to make me say feel it good reading. this is a lifetime book...." Read more
"...This is one of the best books in the thousands of books i have read in my lifetime...." Read more
"Bhikku Bodhi is not only a brilliant Buddhist scholar, but is highly skilled in several languages...." Read more
Customers find the book insightful and erudite. They say it provides useful information on consciousness relevant to Westerners. The book is described as a great reference point for those wanting to refresh their understanding of Buddhism. It links meditation practices like metta and the nature of Buddhist discipline as experiential, not intellectual. Readers also mention that the book is an intellectual challenge and inspiring work worth every penny.
"...The nature of Buddhist discipline is experiential, not intellectual, and the goal of practice, nibbana, can be reached just as well by the..." Read more
"...and already have so many underlinings and notes and reflections as a new learner of Buddhism...." Read more
"...I particularly liked that it lays out, in broad context, from start to finish, a step-by-step guide to enlightenment." Read more
"...trained to remain in the present, open, quiet, and alert, contemplating the present event...." Read more
Customers find the book's description of the Eightfold Path excellent. They say it's a great introduction to the Righteous Eightfold Path and that it takes you along a coherent path.
"...be summed up in two principles: the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path...." Read more
"Fantastic introduction to the Righteous Eightfold Path. Not necessarily a "beginner" book, but good for a second or third text...." Read more
"...It’s not mumbo jumbo or a wordy like most books similar. It follows a coherent path, you will learn." Read more
"So well articulated, it carries you along the Noble Eightfold Path...." Read more
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The clear, unambiguous path to the end of suffering in the clearest of ways.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2011How much is enough? Not everyone will agree on any given answer to this question, but I will add my vote for 5 stars to those who voted the same way. Having read nearly all of the Sutta Pitaka, as much of the Visuddhimagga as I could tolerate, and numerous commentaries on Buddhist thought by more modern commentators, I am hard pressed to think of any important precept that cannot be found in this little volume by Bikkhu Bodhi. As he says in the preface, "The essence of the Buddha's teaching can be summed up in two principles: the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. The first covers the side of doctrine, and the primary response it elicits is understanding; the second covers the side of discipline ... and the primary response it calls for is practice. In the structure of the teaching these two principles lock together into an indivisible unity called the dhamma-vinaya, the doctrin-and-discipline..."
Buddhism is, after all, a prescription for conducting one's life in a way that leads to harmlessness (ahimsa), happiness, awareness (samadhi), and understanding (panna), and the foundation of the whole teaching is right behavior (sila). The nature of Buddhist discipline is experiential, not intellectual, and the goal of practice, nibbana, can be reached just as well by the illiterate as by the scholarly. In fact, it may be that the illiterate have an advantage in one respect, being less likely to get caught up in their conceits and the pride of their minds (see Romans 12:16). Knowledge is important, but it is also important to recognize how easily one can lose track of the Middle Way in a maelstrom of words. It know it seems odd to refer to Judeo-Christian scriptures in a review of a Buddhist text, and I hope to be forgiven for it if that is perceived wrongly, but truth is where you find it, and I can think of no more eloquent way of expressing the caution I have in mind than this: "For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow (Eccl 1:18)." It is not necessary to memorize the ethical principles of Buddhism from some book or exegetical commentary because human beings, for the most part, have an innate ability to recognize what is skillful and what is not ((Genesis 3:5). It is through their words and conceptual convolutions that humans become confused and lost. Maybe that explains what happened to Sangharakshita. I don't know anyone that hasn't gone down that path, or one similar to it, at one time or another. Mindfulness is the cure.
Personally, I believe this is the best of Bikkhu Bodhi's writings. It is clear, concise, and complete, and I thank him for it. What remains to be done is practice with hope and faith that one lifetime is sufficient.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2024I am 27 pages in, and already have so many underlinings and notes and reflections as a new learner of Buddhism. This is a read that, for me, requires careful "chewing" of every sentence and paragraph to digest the message written, because the slim book and the simplicity and clarity of the writing style makes one underestimate the "weightiness" of what's being so well communicated.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2024not the best but better than a lot of buddha book out there. why? because it tell me the way to practice to better my life. not just sweet talk to make me say feel it good reading. this is a lifetime book. the more I read the more I want to practice.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2024Fantastic introduction to the Righteous Eightfold Path. Not necessarily a "beginner" book, but good for a second or third text. I particularly liked that it lays out, in broad context, from start to finish, a step-by-step guide to enlightenment.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2023Short book covering the eightfold path in some of clearest ways I have encountered. Bodhi is a wordsmith and is able to take hard concepts and clarify them.
I found the beginning of this book to be excellent, but struggled in the middle to retain my focus.
Here were my main Takeaways:
* The Path is more important than the teachings
“The path claims primacy because it is precisely this that brings the teaching to life. The path translates the Dhamma from a collection of abstract formulas into a continually unfolding disclosure of truth.”
* Think of the steps as “components” like strands in a rope all contributing for maximum strength.
* Freedom from desire comes through understanding, not compelling ourselves to give up things.
* Metta definition: an intense feeling of selfless love for other beings radiating outwards as a heartfelt concern for their well-being and happiness.
* Right speech is to take a stand on the side of reality
“much more than an ethical principle, devotion to truthful speech is a matter of taking our stand on reality rather than illusion, on the truth grasped by wisdom rather than the fantasies woven by desire.”
* Mindfulness is like surfing
“The mind is deliberately kept at the level of bare attention, a detached observation of what is happening within us and around us in the present moment. In the practice of right mindfulness the mind is trained to remain in the present, open, quiet, and alert, contemplating the present event. All judgements and interpretations have to be suspended, or if they occur, just registered and dropped. The task is simply to note whatever comes up just as it is occurring, riding the changes of events in the way a surfer rides the waves on the sea. The whole process is a way of coming back into the present, of standing in the here and now without slipping away, without getting swept away by the tides of distracting thoughts.”
* Mindfulness is about not doing, refraining.
“To practice mindfulness is thus a matter not so much of doing but of undoing: not thinking, not judging, not associating, not planning, not imagining, not wishing. All these “doings” of ours are modes of interference, ways the mind manipulates experience and tries to establish its dominance. Mindfulness undoes the knots and tangles of these “doings” by simply noting.”
Spiritual paths are to be committed to, not dabbled with
This, to me, is one of the best summaries of the path found in the Epilogue:
"The higher reaches of the path may seem remote from us in our present position, the demands of practice may appear difficult to fulfil. But even if the heights of realization are now distant, all that we need to reach them lies just beneath our feet. The eight factors of the path are always accessible to us; they are mental components which can be established in the mind simply through determination and effort. We have to begin by straightening out our views and clarifying our intentions. Then we have to purify our conduct—our speech, action, and livelihood. Taking these measures as our foundation, we have to apply ourselves with energy and mindfulness to the cultivation of concentration and insight. The rest is a matter of gradual practice and gradual progress, without expecting quick results. For some progress may be rapid, for others it may be slow, but the rate at which progress occurs should not cause elation or discouragement. Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law."
Top reviews from other countries
- Primative MannReviewed in Canada on December 11, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good essays.
I think this is the most readable, clearest and concise reviews of the Noble Eightfold Path. I am not a Buddhist, but find a lot of practical wisdom herein.
-
Cliente AmazonReviewed in Brazil on October 23, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Mapa do caminho
Os requerimentos são 2: começar e continuar! Esse esforço individual é tudo que se precisa para alcançar o objetivo final, e o que fazer está muito bem explicado neste ótimo livro!
- Janakiram SDReviewed in India on December 30, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
If you have time to read only one book in ‘24, read this. Makes clear the 8 steps and their interrelatedness, in simple language, and resulting in very profound understanding; a treasure, eternal and immeasurable for the price paid.
- Laurent VuibertReviewed in France on November 13, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Such clarity and inspiration
This is such a clear and precise account of
the Noble Eightfold Path. I feel so privileged I had the opportunity to appreciate its content and feel inspired by its description.
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in Spain on January 21, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars This is the one
For years I have been looking for a book about buddhism going to the source, to the main message with minumum distortion and based on the real teachings. This is the best I've found. How fortunate we are to live in an era where we can have access to this material with one click.
There is a clear path and process described on this book, for one or several lifestimes to complete.