The Buddha Speaks: A Book of Guidance from the Buddhist Scriptures Paperback – December 28, 2010
by Anne Bancroft (Editor)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 15 ratings
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Here is the core of the Buddha’s teaching in his own words, as it was memorized word-for-word by his disciples and written down two hundred years after his death. These selections from the Buddhist scriptures deal with the search for truth, the way of contemplation, life and death, living in community, and many other topics, serving as an excellent introduction to the Buddha’s teaching. Whether addressed to monks and nuns, householders, outcastes, or thieves, the Buddha’s teachings are characterized by one main concern: conveying the reality of our bondage to suffering—and the supremely good news that liberation is possible. It is a concern as relevant for people today as it was for the people of north India a millennium and a half ago.
176 pages
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Anne Bancroft is the author of numerous books, including Zen: Direct Pointing to Reality and Weavers of Wisdom: Women Mystics of the Twentieth Century. She lives in England.
Product details
Publisher : Shambhala; Reprint edition (December 28, 2010)
Language : English
Paperback : 176 pages
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 15 ratings
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Peter P
5.0 out of 5 stars This little book is a wonderful collection of short passages re-iterated from Buddhist sutrasReviewed in the United States on March 10, 2017
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This little book is a wonderful collection of short passages re-iterated from Buddhist sutras. I am now on my third reading through in short moments available here and there. It's that kind of book. I recently gave it as a gift to a non-Buddhist friend, and I'm sure he will like it. The translations are not so much exacting as they are flowing and easily readable. It's on that basis as a well-selected guide to those looking for a basic introduction, and not something more precise and challenging that I give it 5 stars.
Potential readers should understand that these passages are not the same as reading the direct sutra translations and knowledgeable commentaries, nor were they meant to be. However, I would not call it shallow (as so many short sayings popping up at various internet locales). Most texts written for Buddhists delve into greater depths and tend to be copiously footnoted for good reason. This is the easy-read version, and of several similar, short passage "Buddha books", I have preferred this one.
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Remo Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars Great PeaceReviewed in the United States on March 1, 2015
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This is as good a summary of the Buddha's teachings as you can get. Even though it appears to be about niceties and platitudes at first glance, it delves deeper into his insights. After all, if a man leaves his worldly kingdom for a life of homelessness and does not return, we have to ask ourselves, What has he found or discovered that kept him on that path? What was worth leaving the world behind for? We get glimpses throughout the book, and at the end, we realize the depth of his understanding and the near impossibility of his bringing it across. One of the three greatest sins in Buddhism is Ignorance. Not illiteracy but ignorance of the Truth. As long as we're ignorant of the Truth, we are not free. We stay bound to this world; that, indeed, is suffering.
I bring this book with me on the plane when I travel. To be in the company of Lord Buddha brings me profound peace.
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Andrew
2.0 out of 5 stars Better Books of the Same Type Are AvailableReviewed in the United States on September 10, 2015
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I have mixed feelings on this book. On the one hand, I like Bancroft's attempt to put the ancient wisdom attributed to the Buddha in to language that modern readers will find familiar and comfortable. I think every religion tradition needs to work to stay relevant to the people it serves, and this is an admirable try at accomplishing that.
On the other hand, however, to someone familiar with the texts this book quotes from, it is apparent that these are not translations so much as restatements. The lyricism of the early Pali Suttas is gone, the word choice turns several passages that speak of renunciation in to passages celebrating the happiness to be found in embracing the small pleasures we have in daily life (something I don't disagree with, but which is not present in the original text), and quotes from specific texts (or even groups of texts) are mixed together to create new messages.
Ultimately, I would not recommend this book. "Teachings of the Buddha" by Jack Kornfield is still in my opinion the go to volume of this kind, a collection of passages Buddhist Scripture. Kornfield's book pays more respect to the source material, while still not being slavishly devoted to literalism.
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Maggie Cull
5.0 out of 5 stars The Buddha SpeaksReviewed in the United States on January 26, 2011
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I have not read the book in its entirety but what I have read is so relevant today. Maybe even more useful now in these times of stress and anxiety than in the past. All politicians should read this book. It stresses kindness, compassion, lack of ego, open mind, open heart. Most of all, we, all of us on this earth, are bound together in a commonality rather than differences. We all need to open our hearts. This book is easy to read and can be picked up at any time. The format is simple. One can read just one writing and then think about its message for an entire day. It does not lecture; it is simply thought provoking. Wonderful read!
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Richard St. Clair
5.0 out of 5 stars Bite-sized Dharma, excellent introductionReviewed in the United States on January 11, 2016
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Excellent introduction to the Buddha's thought. For the seeker, it goes just deep enough to give a good accounting of Buddha Shakyamuni's teachings 2500 years ago. Many have become devoted to the Dharma as a result of first reading this book. It takes a broad view of the Dharmic spectrum, so you get a comprehensive view of the Buddha's teachings from which you can springboard into more detailed and specialized study. Highly recommended for all age groups teens through seniors.
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MO
5.0 out of 5 stars Get This Book!Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2013
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OMG! Anne Bancroft did a fantastic job putting this book together. I bought an extra one for a friend that really needs this guidance and she is thinking and tackling issues differently now. I carry my copy from room to room and I'm on my third time reading it. It touches base with everything you are going through, good or bad, you will relate and help yourself and others with this guide. You won't be sorry. MO
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james
3.0 out of 5 stars has not been sent yetReviewed in the United States on January 12, 2013
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unimpressed as to how long this is taking when am i going to receive this book or the email saying you have sent it its a tad offensive that it has taken this long
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five StarsReviewed in the United States on September 18, 2014
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Excellent
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usuario
5.0 out of 5 stars La luzReviewed in Spain on February 23, 2014
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Hay pensadores muy interesantes. Pero, a mi entender, todos palidecen ante la palabra de Buda, cuya conciencia está patentemente a otro nivel (pero hecho en falta algunas citas especialmente claras y persuasivas de los sutras).
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Rob Englert
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March 16, 2016
A great book of teachings short teachings from the Buddha. I like it as a source of daily inspiration. You will want to read this book again and again.
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Frank Jude
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September 15, 2019
This is a relatively sweet collection of mostly fairly short passages from various Buddhist texts from both the Pali Canon and from Mahayana Sutras such as "The Diamond Sutra" and other prajñaparamita texts. These are not translations and no translator credit is given, unless it was the editor, Anne Bancroft -- NOT the actress!. Most are more accurately described as "paraphrases" and that's why I gave this book 3 and not 4 stars. Some of the paraphrases distort the original meaning, mostly to make it more palatable for moderns.
That said, I used this book as thematic prompts for my yoga classes and they allowed me to offer short dharma talks and weave the various themes within and through practice.
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Ali Hysong
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April 6, 2018
The best part of cultivating my own personal morals and philosophy is familiarizing myself with those of different cultures, religions, beliefs, philosophies, etc. Understanding others and accepting them is key to understanding and accepting ourselves. This book is a perfect book of meditations that is a wonderful stepping stone to becoming familiar with Eastern philosophy. So much wisdom can be drawn from this and Bancroft does an excellent job organizing The Buddha's teachings into a reference style book.
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Renee
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August 29, 2020
This book is just quotes, not explanations but they are well translated quotes from the Buddhist Scriptures and are organised well. I’ve read other books of this ilk that included quotes from prominent figures such as Ghandi. This is not like those. It contains Buddhist teachings from the Buddhist Canon. I read a chapter at a time, before bed so I could ponder the themes before sleep.
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Jampa
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May 24, 2019
Beautiful little book to have close by. I recommend it when doing short or long retreats. Definitely meant to be reread again and again. Namo Buddhaye
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