Buddhism In A Nutshell

by Nārada, Maha Thera

This is a classic on the basics of Buddhism by the late Ven. Narada Thera: The Story of the Buddha; The Teachings (Dhamma) is it a philosophy? Is Buddhism a religion? Is Buddhism as Ethical system? Some salient features of Buddhism. Karma or the Law of Moral Causation. Rebirth. Dependent Arising (Paticca Samuppada). Anatta or Soul-lessness. Nibanna and The Path to Nibbana.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Philosophy

First published January 1, 1933

About the author

The Venerable Narada Maha Thera (Sinhala:නාරද මහා ස්ථවිරයන් වහන්සේ), born Sumanapala Perera (14 July 1898 – 2 October 1983) was a Theravadan Buddhist monk and translator, the Superior of Vajirarama Temple in Colombo. He was a popular figure in his native country, Sri Lanka, and beyond.

He was born in Kotahena, Colombo to a middle-class family, educated at St. Benedict's College and Ceylon University College, and ordained at the age of eighteen.

In 1929 he represented Sri Lanka at the opening ceremony for the new Mulagandhakuti Vihara monastery at Sarnath, India, and in 1934 he visited Indonesia, the first Theravadan monk to do so in more than 450 years. From that point on he travelled to many countries to conduct missionary work: Taiwan, Cambodia, Laos, South Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, Nepal, and Australia. In 1956, he visited the United Kingdom and the United States, and addressed a huge crowd at the Washington Monument. On 2 November 1960 Narada Maha Thera brought a bodhi tree to the South Vietnamese temple Thích Ca Phật Đài, and made many visits to the country during the 1960s.

Along with others (such as Piyadassi Maha Thera) he contributed to the popularization of the bana style dharma talk in the 1960s and brought the Buddhist teachings "to the day-to-day lives of the Westernized middle class in Sri Lanka."

Reviews

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book was trying to say, as Bill and Ted once said (will say?), "Be excellent to each other".

On another note, I was interested by the frequent comparisons with quantum theory, nuclear physics and the nature of the universe itself.

[Noatta · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good brief introduction to Buddhism.
In the last section, this book also provide a simple but very useful guide on breath meditation and loving kindness meditation .

[Daisy Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise overview of Buddhism. Helps if you have some background understanding prior to reading though as not beginner language (references the Sanskrit words a lot which provides context but maybe frustrating if your not familiar)

[jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very clear and simple summary

[Kalvis Eniņš · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought this book in Sri Lanka. Asked in book store for short and simple book about Buddhism and lady recommended this one.
For me it wasn't easy to understand everything.. maybe I'm not ready for this :)

[Lon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this concise volume at the Buddhist Publication Society's headquarers in Kandy, Sri Lanka for pocket change, but its worth proved to be much greater. Clear but not overly simplistic, I found myself seeing familiar concepts in a new light.

[Shashi Martynova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely overview, neat, concise, helpful.