Cracking the Walnut: Understanding the Dialectics of Nagarjuna

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's commentary on Nagarjuna's Treatise on the Middle Way, one of the most famous Buddhist texts in existence

Nagarjuna is a giant in the Buddhist canon, thought to be the greatest Buddhist philosopher after the Buddha. He lived in southern India in the 2nd century CE.
Cracking the Walnut contains the text of Nagarjuna’s Treatise on the Middle Way (Mulamadhyamakakarika), defending the essential premise that all things have the nature of emptiness, they have no self-nature, but are in a constant process of change and interrelationship with one another.
Weaving Nagarjuna’s text with commentary by Thich Nhat Hanh, taken from talks given at two 3-month-long retreats, helps us bring these teachings into our daily life. They are strong teachings, designed to break through all metaphysical speculation. To a greater or lesser extent, we all have notions and ideas about life. Sometimes our ideas can contribute to the advancement of humanity, but the problem comes when we are caught in our ideas and believe them to be the absolute truth. When people believe that something is the absolute truth, they may be ready to fight, kill, or die for it. This brings about polarization, deep division, and suffering in ourselves, our society, community, and family. This is not the way ahead for humanity. This book helps us let go of our ideas and go in the direction of understanding and compassion.

Genres: Buddhism, Philosophy

160 pages, Paperback

Published July 25, 2023

About the author

Thích Nhất Hạnh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist who then lived in southwest France where he was in exile for many years. Born Nguyễn Xuân Bảo, Thích Nhất Hạnh joined a Zen (Vietnamese: Thiền) monastery at the age of 16, and studied Buddhism as a novitiate. Upon his ordination as a monk in 1949, he assumed the Dharma name Thích Nhất Hạnh. Thích is an honorary family name used by all Vietnamese monks and nuns, meaning that they are part of the Shakya (Shakyamuni Buddha) clan. He was often considered the most influential living figure in the lineage of Lâm Tế (Vietnamese Rinzai) Thiền, and perhaps also in Zen Buddhism as a whole.

Reviews

[Jesper · Rating 5 out of 5]

My head hurts, in a good way.

[Dewi Rhys-jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A commentary on Nagarjuna's Treatise on the Middle Way, one of the most famous Buddhist texts in existence. Nagarjuna is thought to be the greatest Buddhist philosopher after the Buddha. He lived in southern India in the 2nd century CE. The book contains the text of Nagarjuna's Treatise on the Middle Way (Mulamadhyamakakarika), defending the essential premise that all things have the nature of emptiness, they have no self-nature, but are in a constant process of change and interrelationship with one another. There is a commentary by Thich Nhat Hanh, taken from talks given at two 3-month-long retreats. (Taken from Amazon)
You have to have your thinking cap on as you read this, but well worth the effort.

[CG Inglis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book neither exists nor not exists.