The Teachings of the Compassionate Buddha: Early Discourses, the Dhammapada, and Later Basic Writings

by Anonymous and Edwin Arthur Burtt

Book Overview

With its origins in ancient India, Buddhism is a system of thought that has enriched the religious lives of billions--and in more recent times, swept through the Western world as well. Now anyone who wants to learn more about Buddhism can go directly to the source, with this collection of original documents--edited, with commentary, by a Cornell University professor of philosophy.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451200772
• ISBN13: 9780451200778
• Release Date: April 2000
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.53 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Helpful introduction to Buddhism

Edwin A. Burtt has edited this volume, including some of the key passages from Buddhist thinking, and provided a strong introduction, placing Buddhism in a larger context. Among concepts noted in the Introduction: Brahman (Page 17: "Out of Brahman come all things; to Brahman all things return"), "atman" (Page 17: "The soul or self"), karma, dharma (Page 19: ". . .the way that man should follow in order to fulfill his true nature and carry out his moral and social responsibilities"), and so on. On to the primary sources on Buddhism. . . . One, "The Four Noble Truths." The editor summarizes the essence: 1. Existence is unhappiness; 2. Unhappiness is caused by selfish craving; 3. Selfish craving can be destroyed; 4. It can be destroyed by following the eightfold path. . . ." Some thoughts on "The Wise Man" from "The Way of Truth," an important document. The lines speak for themselves: "As a solid rock is not shaken by the wind, wise people waver not amidst blame and praise" Or, from the same document, "The Thousands": "If one man conquer in battle a thousand times a thousand men, and if another conquer himself, he is the greatest of conquerors." Or, an item from "Punishment": "He who, seeking his own happiness, does not punish beings who also long for happiness, will find happiness after death." And on it goes. The volume does a nice job of providing some of the primary sources of Buddhism, allowing the reader to get a sense of this orientation. If interested, this is not a bad starting point for those who want to get a sense of Buddhism. I believe that I purchased this as an undergraduate student many years ago, and I have held onto this across a multitude of moves since then.

Good Intro To The Ideas of a Great Thinker---Mr. Buddha

This is one of the "original" "self-help books" written by a great thinker. You will benefit by reading this book. Recommended. boland7214@aol.

A Superb Introduction

Originally published in 1955, E. A. Burtt's "Teachings of the Compassionate Buddha" remains in print nearly half a century later for a very simple reason - it is a concise yet comprehensive introduction to Buddhist thought. The book is divided into two sections:Book One - The Early Scriptures of BuddhismBook Two - Buddhist Thought Through Later CenturiesBook one includes basic doctrines such as the sermon at Benares (in which Gautama Buddha expounds for the first time upon the "Four Noble Truths" and the "Eightfold Path") and selections from the treasure that is "The Dhammapada" ("Way of the Truth"). The remaining thirty odd pages of this section contain material from the Therevada (or "Lesser Vehicle") school of Buddhism, which claims to follow the uncorrupted tradition of Buddha himself, focusing upon clearing of the mind and attainment of Nirvana.Book two concerns itself with the Mahayana (or "Greater Vehicle") ideal, the core of which holds that since "all are one", universal salvation is the goal of Buddhist practice - as opposed to the Therevada notion of individual pursuit of Nirvana. Among other things, you will find here materials from the Chinese and Japanese Pure Land and Meditation (Zen) schools.Both sections consist of translations (Burtt used the best he could find at the time) of actual Buddhist texts (such as the above mentioned "Dhammapada", "The Lotus Sutra", various philosophical and devotional treaties, etc.) so that the reader is receiving information more or less directly from the source. Also included is a helpful and illuminating introduction by Mr. Burtt in which he provides an analysis of the religious impulse in general and an overview of the Indian traditions from which Buddhism sprang and which it altered. In fact, Mr. Burtt provides commentary throughout the book, clarifying the distinctions between the Therevada and Mahayana schools and generally shining an erudite light on the various texts.As an introduction to Buddhism this collection is ideal. As a refresher or reference for those already acquainted with Buddhist thought, this book is a valuable addition to any would be arhat's or bhikshu's library.

~"What the world thinks of as life is really death"~

This is a comprehensive primer on Buddhist thought. Simple, but informative. Burtt begins with an excellent synopsis on the nature of religion and religious thought in general. It covers the two main branches of Buddhism- Hinayana (or Theravada) and Mahayana. It seems to be that the Theravadins are the followers of more conventional Buddhism with an orthodox canon, whereas the Mahaynas are more universal in their ideas and use later basic writings.Using the Tathagata's words, other things are argued e.g. taking on the life of a monk. The parables are very helfpful, and the one sticking to me most is the one about the acceptance of death. (mustard seed) There is less coverage pertaining to the Theravada school. These ideas of the Mahayanans I find more attracted to, except in some work from the later centuries where they start to argue for things like subjective idealism. The Mahayana religious ideal I do advocate however [pp. 124] 'The central idea in Buddhist teaching is the gospel of universal salvation based on the idea of the fundamental oneness of all beings."

great summary of Theravada and Mahayana differences

hey, i'm the first reviewer! ahem, imho, this book helps buddhists to understand the reasons for the Mahayana 'split' from the Theravada tradition. This is the best brief popular-level discussion of this i have seen yet. prof Burtt divides the book evenly into selections from Theravada and Mahayana and has an essay in the middle on the causes and motivations for the split. Someone familiar with Theravadan sources looking for an introduction to Mahayana sources would benefit from this book, as well as vice versa. Too often, contemporary Buddhist books tend to blur the distinction and beginners cant be sure which tradition references come from. Anyway, many key selections are included in this book, from the Dhammapada to the Lotus Sutra. It would make a nice source book for group study, as well as being a good source for devotional study. namaste!