The Buddha's Teachings on Social and Communal Harmony: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon

by Bhikkhu Bodhi, Dalai Lama XIV (Foreword)

In a world of conflict and strife, how can we be advocates of peace and justice? In this volume acclaimed scholar-monk Bhikkhu Bodhi has collected and translated the Buddha’s teachings on conflict resolution, interpersonal and social problem-solving, and the forging of harmonious relationships. The selections, all drawn from the Pali Canon, the earliest record of the Buddha’s discourses, are organized into ten thematic chapters. The chapters deal with such topics as the quelling of anger, good friendship, intentional communities, the settlement of disputes, and the establishing of an equitable society. Each chapter begins with a concise and informative introduction by the translator that guides us toward a deeper understanding of the texts that follow. In times of social conflict, intolerance, and war, the Buddha’s approach to creating and sustaining peace takes on a new and urgent significance. Even readers unacquainted with Buddhism will appreciate these ancient teachings, always clear, practical, undogmatic, and so contemporary in flavor. The Buddha’s Teachings on Social and Communal Harmony will prove to be essential reading for anyone seeking to bring peace into their communities and into the wider world.

Genres: Buddhism, Philosophy, Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Theology

311 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 13, 2016

About the author

Bhikkhu Bodhi is an American Buddhist monk from New York City. Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1944, he obtained a BA in philosophy from Brooklyn College (1966) and a PhD in philosophy from Claremont Graduate School (1972).

Drawn to Buddhism in his early 20s, after completing his university studies he traveled to Sri Lanka, where he received novice ordination in 1972 and full ordination in 1973, both under the late Ven. Ananda Maitreya, the leading Sri Lankan scholar-monk of recent times.

He was appointed editor of the Buddhist Publication Society (in Sri Lanka) in 1984 and its president in 1988. Ven. Bodhi has many important publications to his credit, either as author, translator, or editor, including the Buddha — A Translation of the Majjhima Nikaya (co-translated with Ven. Bhikkhu Nanamoli (1995), The Connected Discourses of the Buddha — a New Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya (2000), and In the Buddha’s Words (2005).

In May 2000 he gave the keynote address at the United Nations on its first official celebration of Vesak (the day of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing away). He returned to the U.S. in 2002. He currently resides at Chuang Yen Monastery and teaches there and at Bodhi Monastery. He is currently the chairman of Yin Shun Foundation.

Reviews

[Sher · Rating 5 out of 5]

What advice would the Buddha give us in today's world of conflict and strife?

This book explores the answer to that question through commentary by the American Buddhist monk Bhikkhu Bodhi and through suttas recorded after the Buddha's death. Each chapter deals with a particular theme such as Dealing with Anger, Right Understanding, and the Intentional Community.

The sutta selections are from a wide array of Pali Canon sources, and the commentary is insightful and helpful. This book sheds insight and has advice for dealing with any kind of community-- the spiritual community, your neighborhood, speaking with those of different political persuasion , the family, and work community. Highly recommended. Helps if you have a background in Buddhism, but it's not necessary for you to gain help from this book.

[Geoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book because I needed something to assist me in dealing with personal issues I am currently facing. those issues involve toxicity that is impacting my personal space, the result of which is testing my ability to deal with anger and rage.

Buddhism has been with me for most of my life however I have never truly worked at it. Now, at this point in my life, I am presented with the challenge of anger and rage, emotions not uncommon to myself over this lifetime, but in this case, it is a scenario where, if unchecked, I could truly cause more destruction, personally, then at any other time previous.

With that intro I provide this review. Simply put "BUY AND STUDY THIS BOOK!" If you are in a similar situation or just want to get a better perspective of what Buddhism really is or can be I highly recommend this. While reading it I read information that I already "knew" but now, dealing with this current situation and my openness and willingness to want to accept a Buddhist way, I discovered I could more deeply understand the teachings. It's funny because I have read similar "words of wisdom" in the past and was always like "Ya, that's the way to be." but not truly understand what it meant or perhaps how it is applied. Reading this book, it brought those messages home for me, aiding in having a deeper understanding of the meaning.

As a quick summary otherwise, "Social and Communal Harmony" is the title and within these pages you will be taught what that truly is and how it can be obtained. It has helped me immensely and I can say that I will no doubt be continuously going back to this book even as I begin reading and studying further.

Beyond 5 stars for this.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will refrain from saying too much, as the commentary on the Buddha is daunting, to say the least. But this book is one that, as I was reading it, felt like a very comfortable companion to keep with me and keep re-visiting through life. I highlighted things in a sort-of color-coded way: one color was for personal edification, one for love/relationship, one for our political climate, one for ways to practice, and so on. Some quotes spoke to me deeply about how I present myself in my relationships, others felt like stories that sum up, if not centuries of political strife, the 2016 election. It's a thin yet momentous volume about keeping wisdom up front, and while it does provide seemingly simple solutions to complicated issues, the voice of the Buddha, deceptive in its simplicity, is exactly the kind of voice I would need to turn to. Should I ever get involved with organizing, I feel this is a book I may have to turn to and return to, I feel reassured in this, and I am confident it will guide me. An invigorating and emboldening book to absorb when preparing for 2017.

[Duester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took me over two years, lol.

That being said, this is a fine volume. The Suttas are, of course, dry, difficult, and subtle. Nevertheless, Bhikkhu Bodhi has managed to assemble a rather compelling collection on a topic which is woefully underdeveloped in the public understanding of Buddhism in the West. His introductions to each section clearly indicate why each excerpt was selected, what their lessons are, and how they cohere.

That Ven. Bodhi's volume contains a foreword by HH. the Dalai Lama and an epilogue by Hozan Alan Senauke (about Dr. B. R. Ambedkar) illustrates not only that these are in an important sense pan-Buddhist teachings, but that the social harmony elucidated in the book is also ecumenical.

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a collection of translated suttas grouped into various topics. At the beginning of each chapter is a completely unnecessary introduction of what you are about to read which literally just states what each of the teachings are. You can just skip right over these as you don't need to be told exactly what you are about to read, you can just read it.

I came to this book with the hope of reading the unedited words of the Buddha as I was sick of seeing those self-help type books that sprinkle in some aspects of Buddhism but are really just some rich egotistical person's way of trying to get everyone to live their lives a certain way and for them to make a bunch of money off it. There are a lot of books out there that claim to be about Buddhism but are so far removed from it and barely have any real words from the Buddha himself.

I also come to this as a relative beginner having only read a few books on buddhism previously and having attended only a dozen or so meditation classes at buddhist centres.

I wouldn't recommend this book for 'beginners' like me because although this book had the unspoilt discourses of the Buddha I was hoping for some kind of interpretation or discussion from the author on said discourses. It can be difficult to see how a particular teaching can actually be applied to one's own life and in what situations.

One aspect I found interesting was the mention of demon type creatures and heaven and hell which I didn't expect.

I imagine this book would be useful for someone who has practiced Buddhism for several years but it just wasn't for me.

[Tanmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a lot to learn and process and go back to in this book based on the shared reality that we create for ourselves at various points in our lives. The first part of the book focuses on intentional communities and the second part focusses on the communities that householders are typically part of. In my current situation I found the second part more relatable. While themes of both the parts do share similarities, you can read the second part before going to the first part based without missing out on context.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bhikkhu Bodhi is a fascinating teacher. However, this is more showcasing his translation work. Selections from the Pali canon, organized around themes, with a short explanation before each chapter.

[Carolynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Used this book to set up new organization structures. The Buddha and hi peeps new how to do social!

[Ashin Vicakkhana]

I have to write these for MA program concerning this book

[Judson]

Useful to read, maybe not a super high recommend though. :)