Heartwood of the Bodhi Tree: The Buddha's Teachings on Voidness

by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu

Book Overview

"In this remarkable book, Ajahn Buddhadasa teaches us beautifully, profoundly, and simply the meaning of sunnata, or voidness, which is a thread that links every great school of Buddhism... .He teaches us the truth of this voidness with the same directness and simplicity with which he invites us into his forest." - from the foreword by Jack Kornfield

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0861710355
• ISBN13: 9780861710355
• Release Date: October 1996
• Publisher: Wisdom Publications
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Significant

Enjoyed the explanations.

Marvelous !!

“Works” will never attain for you the truth of who you already are. Read this one.

One of the great Buddhist philosopher monks of the 20th century

I would heartily recommend any of Buddhadasa's books. He had a wonderful ability to talk and write with succinctness and clarity, explaining and distilling sometimes complex subjects (such as the subject of this book on emptiness/voidness), in a remarkable teaching style that could not only be understood but remembered, and his ready wit, worldliness, and common sense shine through. I would also recommend Mindfulness with Breathing: A Manual for Serious Beginners (the best explanation of the Anapanasati Sutta I've read) and Handbook For Mankind (the whole of Buddha-Dhamma in one book).

A Lucid Explanation of Voidness/Emptiness

I recently read this book before going on a ten-day meditation retreat at Suan Mokkh (the meditation center for lay people established by the author of this book) in Thailand. I had previously practiced zazen in California (San Francisco and San Diego) and Japan (Kanagawa), and heard a lot on the topic of "emptiness" during my practices; so I was interested in what Bhikku Buddhadasa had to say on the subject. For in additon to being a Buddhist monk of the Theravada tradition, from reading some of his previous writings, it seemed he felt a connection with Zen Buddhism as well. In short, I wanted a non-Zen take on emptiness (sunnata). So in the spirit of learning more about the concept of "emptiness/voidness," but from the perspective of a Theravada Buddhist monk, I bought this bought. It was a highly illuminating read, as the author is able to distill this extremely difficult concept (voidness) so it is understandable to a wider (non-monk, non-Buddhist, Western) audience. In fact, his directness at explaining this concept was easier for me to understand than some of the writings by Zen monks/masters on the same subject. I also think credit is in order for the excellent translation of this book by Bhikku Santikaro, who has translated other works by Bhikku Buddhadasa as well. In short, I found this book extremely valuable in increasing my understanding of "emptiness." In addition to this book, I have also found "Mindfulness with Breathing: A Manual for Serious Beginners" (by the same auther) to be highly instructive in learning how to do the breath-based "anapanasati" meditation. (This, by the way, is the type of meditation taught at Suan Mokkh retreats.) Finally, related to the concept of emptiness, I would also recommend "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind" (by S. Suzuki) and two books by D. Katagiri: "You have to Say Something" and "Returning to Silence" (but these latter two books discuss various other concepts besides emptiness).

straight to the heart of matters

The most straightforward, authoritative, and impressive collection of Dhamma talks on emptiness I have come across, by a teacher embodying the simultaneously ordinary and profound material he teaches. Something to read and contemplate over and over.

Heartwood of the Bodhi Tree

This is a real precious gem very clear and sharp. Buddhadasa points his finger and one really forgets the finger and sees exactly what he is pointing at. The most perfect teaching to directly experience and realize, in the very moments of reading. Everybody interested in Buddhism beginner or not can profit, as the book is both easy to read and full of enlightening information of the real nature of our existence. Personally I have read few books with such power and clarity. Buddhadasa shows "Void ness" he dos not merely talk about. This book is heart to heart communication, in the real sense of the words, it is more then fantastic, excellent or great, but it is simply realistic.

Getting to the empty heart of Buddhism

I read this book, published under the title, Heartwood of the Bo Tree, while I was living in Thailand. It is, in my opinion, an extremely important discussion on the essential truth of Buddhism, stripping away all of the unnecessary glitz which accompanies it in the East and all of the new-age pseudo gurus who speak and write about Eastern religion in the West. I found myself entranced by the text, which is actually a series of lectures, originally given in Thai, to Thai laypeople by a revered senior monk, Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. The sermons methodically and simply explain the simple essence of Buddhism as they cover the most crucial truths which, interestingly, all seem to boil down to one: Emptiness. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is truly interested in Buddhism without all of its trappings, or someone who is struggling to let go of all which causes them sufferring. (i.e. let go of absolutely everything-including their strife for happiness) Hope that doesn't give too much away! I am very pleased to see that this book is now available outside of Thailand, because I loaned my well worn copy to my brother-in-law over two years ago and haven't seen it since. It's still hard not to cling.