Buddhist Life/Buddhist Path: the foundations of Buddhism based on earliest sources

by Bhikkhu Cintita (John Dinsmore)

Buddhism began with the Buddha, a towering figure who lived some hundred generations ago, taught for forty-five years, developed a huge following of ascetics and householders, kings and paupers, and left behind a vast corpus of teachings, astonishingly profound and comprehensive, consistent, brilliantly coherent and still intelligible today.

His teachings span not only the higher training of meditation, psychology and the path to awakening, but also practical advice on virtue, harmony, community and basic human values.

He left behind a culture of peace and awakening and a monastic community that persist to this day. This textbook, based on the earliest stratum of Buddhist texts, provides a holistic and proportionate account of the range of the Buddha's Dharma, interpreted for the modern student.

Bhikkhu Cintita is an American-born Burmese-ordained Buddhist monk. A former academic, he studies, meditates, teaches, writes and sweeps leaves in a monastery in Austin, Texas, USA.

268 pages, ebook

Published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Rodeweeks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first part of this book is the more easy part after which it progressively becomes more difficult. The second part of the book is a bit more advanced than the usual Buddhist books. It is, however, a very valuable book which explains Buddhist ethics in such a way that anyone can follow their own progress on the spiritual path, know where they are and on which areas they need focus for improvement. I am always simultaneously amazed at how far I came as well as how much I still have to learn. This book has cleared up some of the things I still struggle with while adding new ideas that now need a higher understanding. Definitely worth reading and practicing.

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book while attending an early Buddhism course at the vihara where Cintita lives. I’m giving it a review now after having rated it five stars a while back because I wanted to familiarize myself with the subject before coming back. It’s sort of become my wheelhouse. I stand by the five stars. I may be biased, though. I’m a Soto Zen guy with a focus on early Buddhism and he’s an early Buddhism guy who used to be a Soto Zen priest.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book from start to finish. Full of original sutta information and analysis based on many tens of references from various traditions. The ultimate accompaniment for those serious about the Buddhist path. It does get technical in more than one section, making it difficult for the beginner, but wading through these parts rewards one in troves.

[Shrek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Approved by Shrek

[Nicole]

DNF. Boring. Could've been more straightforward.