Buddhism
Buddhism is the fourth-largest religion in the world going by number of adherents. It is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, a man mostly likely from the the current border between Nepal and India and most likely in the 5th Century BCE. The provisional nature of exact details is not surprising, considering the passage of time and the quick attraction of legend-making to the growth of the religion. Indeed, even the concept of “religion” is not to be attached too firmly to a philosophy that is decidedly pragmatic and unpretentious. Elaboration in literature and visual art and just about everything that Buddhists have turned their attention to is inevitable, but the core is clear. “Suffering exists; it has a cause; it has an end; and it has a cause to bring about its end. The notion of suffering is not intended to convey a negative world view, but rather, a pragmatic perspective that deals with the world as it is, and attempts to rectify it.”
The literature of Buddhism is vast, historic, diverse, and ranges from poetically direct to intricately arcane. Whistlestop Bookshop’s holdings are relatively few but have proven durably popular and useful over the years. Basic texts are important, of course. The current Dalai Lama is prolific and eloquent, as is the recently-deceased Thich Nhat Hanh. Zen Buddhism is a fascinating manifestation — I will be adding more of the titles I have as I have time. There is Buddhist poetry and Buddhist fiction, and I will be adding that as I glean it from the shelves. A good Buddhist principle is not to wait until everything is ready but to go ahead with what is at hand.
The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikāya,
The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikāya,
This book offers a complete translation of the Majjhima Nikāya, or Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha, one of the major collections of texts in the Pali Canon, the authorized scriptures of Theravāda Buddhism. This collection—among the oldest records of the historical Buddha’s original teachings—consists of 152 suttas or discourses of middle length, distinguished as such from the longer and shorter suttas of the other collections. The Majjhima Nikāya might be concisely described as the Buddhist scripture that combines the richest variety of contextual settings with the deepest and most comprehensive assortment of teachings. These teachings, which range from basic ethics to instructions in meditation and liberating insight, unfold in a fascinating procession of scenarios that show the Buddha in living dialogue with people from many different strata of ancient Indian society: with kings and princes, priests and ascetics, simple villagers and erudite philosophers. Replete with drama, reasoned argument, and illuminating parable and simile, these discourses exhibit the Buddha in the full glory of his resplendent wisdom, majestic sublimity, and compassionate humanity.
The translation is based on an original draft translation left by the English scholar-monk Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli, which has been edited and revised by the American monk Bhikkhu Bodhi, who provides a long introduction and helpful explanatory notes. Combining lucidity of expression with accuracy, this translation enables the Buddha to speak across twenty-five centuries in language that addresses the most pressing concerns of the contemporary reader seeking clarification of the timeless issues of truth, value, and the proper conduct of life.
Winner of the 1995 Choice Magazine Outstanding Academic Book Award, and the Tricycle Prize for Excellence in Buddhist Publishing for Dharma Discourse.