Mention About Books The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya
Title | : | The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya |
Author | : | Maurice Walshe |
Book Format | : | Hardcover |
Book Edition | : | Deluxe Edition |
Pages | : | Pages: 648 pages |
Published | : | June 15th 1995 by Wisdom Publications |
Categories | : | Religion. Buddhism. Philosophy. Nonfiction. Spirituality |

Maurice Walshe
Hardcover | Pages: 648 pages Rating: 4.46 | 684 Users | 22 Reviews
Chronicle Toward Books The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya
This book offers a complete translation of the Digha Nikaya, the long discourses of the Buddha, one of the major collections of texts in the Pali Canon, the authorized scriptures of Theravada Buddhism. This collection--among the oldest records of the historical Buddha's original teachings, given in India two and a half thousand years ago--consists of thirty-four longer-length suttas, or discourses, distinguished as such from the middle-length and shorter suttas of the other collections.These suttas reveal the gentleness, compassion, power, and penetrating wisdom of the Buddha. Included are teachings on mindfulness (Mahasatipatthana Sutta); on morality, concentration, and wisdom (Subha Sutta); on dependent origination (Mahanidrana Sutta); on the roots and causes of wrong views (Brahmajala Sutta); and a long description of the Buddha's last days and passing away (Mahaparinibbana Sutta); along with a wealth of practical advice and insight for all those travelling along the spiritual path.
Venerable Sumedho Thera writes in his foreword: "[These suttas] are not meant to be 'sacred scriptures' that tell us what to believe. One should read them, listen to them, think about them, contemplate them, and investigate the present reality, the present experience, with them. Then, and only then, can one insightfully know the truth beyond words."
Introduced with a vivid account of the Buddha's life and times and a short survey of his teachings, The Long Discourses of the Buddha brings us closer in every way to the wise and compassionate presence of Gotama Buddha and his path of truth.
Define Books As The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya
Original Title: | The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya (Teachings of the Buddha) |
ISBN: | 0861711033 (ISBN13: 9780861711031) |
Edition Language: | English |
Rating About Books The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya
Ratings: 4.46 From 684 Users | 22 ReviewsDiscuss About Books The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya
Apr 14, 2012: it has been more than 2 weeks since i could stomach the idea of opening this book and reading another calcified recitation of the same stock phrases, so i decided that i officially give up.50% seems like a safe (i.e., under-)estimate for the amount of text in this book that is repeated. The most egregious examples (in the ~25% of the pages i've read) are the entirety of Sutta 7 and the vast majority of Sutta 9. If it weren't for the translator's myriad merciful ellipses, i would'veA good start towards hearing what the buddha was trying to say. A lot of repetition that Mr. Walsh seems either annoyed by or reservedly leaves out due to the already massive length of this volume. Not sure what to do with this, but the Buddha apparently has perfect taste...

Some of the endnotes were less than helpful. Otherwise, Id give it five stars.
I have down-rated this from five to four stars only because I enjoyed the translations, notes, and (especially) the introductions by Thomas Rhys Davids so much more. This is a crucial collection of the long suttas of the Pali Canon including the Brahmajala, the Samaññaphala, the Potthapada, the Kevaddha Sutta, and the marvelous Mahaparinibbana Sutta. For reviews of several of these see my blog: http://notesfrommylibrary.wordpress.c....
I feel rather strange onto what I should review this book as, not only on account of it's importance, but also to my liking to Buddhist philosophy. There sits within me, a paradox of thought; I know not whether I should give it 2 stars or 4 stars; as you may tell - I've given it 3 stars to split in the middle. You see, on the one hand to which I'd give this 4 stars, it is because of it's philosophic content; the discourses are rather intriguing and fascinating. To think that here, and to it's
If you are new to reading the Buddha's teachings; do NOT start here. Start with majhima nikaya. This is unless you want to understand Buddhist cosmology, time and myth. More practical teachings will be found in MN.This said, DN does contain a few of my favourite suttas and is an essential read for anyone with some experience reading the suttas. DN15 illustrates the causality which leads to rebirth.DN16 the final days of the Buddha's lifeDN22 the 4 foundations of mindfulness DN31 is excellent and
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