Heartwood of the Bodhi Tree: The Buddha's Teachings on Voidness

by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu

"In this remarkable book, Ajahn Buddhadasa teaches us beautifully, profoundly, and simply the meaning of sunnata, or voidness, which is a thread that links every great school of Buddhism....He teaches us the truth of this voidness with the same directness and simplicity with which he invites us into his forest."
-- from the foreword by Jack Kornfield

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

176 pages, Paperback

First published August 25, 1994

About the author

Buddhadasa Bhikkhu was a Thai Buddhist monk and an influential ascetic-philosopher of the 20th century. Known as an innovative reinterpreter of Buddhist doctrine and Thai folk beliefs, Buddhadasa fostered a reformation in conventional religious perceptions in Thailand as well as abroad. Buddhadasa developed a personal view that those who have penetrated the essential nature of religions consider 'all religions to be inwardly the same', while those who have the highest understanding of dhamma feel 'there is no religion'.

Reviews

[Guttersnipe Das · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re worried you’ll never be able to really understand the teachings on sunnata, on emptiness or voidness, this is the book you need. Truly extraordinary and necessary -- the clearest, warmest, most approachable introduction I’ve ever found to the basic teachings on voidness (reality!) from a Thai Buddhist perspective. Step by step, warmly and kindly, Buddhadasa Bhikkhu explains how to stop creating “I” and “mine” -- and stop suffering.

I left this book untouched on my shelf for months, thinking it would be dry, thinking I wouldn’t be able to understand it. How wrong I was! It is a beautiful read. And nothing, surely, is less than dry than an explanation of why you have plenty of time to attain liberation, even if you are experiencing sudden violent death, even if you’re being run over by a car! Nothing is more practical than voidness, than sunnata. But we must practice.

Buddhadasa Bhikkhu makes voidness clear and then points out how we keep missing it, as it arises over and over in our ordinary lives. “So I encourage you, in any moment that the mind has any measure of voidness, even if it’s not absolutely or perfectly void, to keep recognizing it.” And later adds, with beautiful mercy, “We may borrow something of the Buddha and the Arahants to try out so that we don’t lose heart.”

This is also the book to thwack your friends with if they suggest that Thai Buddhism has a less profound understanding of reality, or that that understanding isn’t present in the earliest, most foundational Buddhist texts. As Buddhadasa says, “This one subject of voidness covers all of Buddhism, for the Buddha breathed with sunnata. Voidness is the theory, the practice, and the fruit of practice; if one practices, it must be for the fruit of sunnata, and if one receives any fruit, it must be this sunnata, so that finally one attains the thing that is supremely desirable. There is nothing beyond voidness. When it is realized, all problems end.”

[jjfoerch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most people who have heard of Buddhism have heard of the four noble truths, but less so dependent origination, or as Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu translates it, dependent co-arising. It is a somewhat difficult subject at the very core of the Buddha's teaching, and in fact, is an analytic system for explicating the second and third truths. More profound than it may first appear because it must be applied to be understood, the Buddha even said, "who sees dependent co-arising sees me".

Yet many treatments of this most fascinating subject just scrape its surface or deal with it only in an abstract way. There is a tradition in Bhuddist scholarship of analyzing dependent origination as a process across three literal lifetimes. Even if one believes in reincarnation, it is hard to see how such an interpretation can be applied to this life here and now. Such treatments don't deny or conflict with the interpretation of dependent origination as a more short term process, they just tend not to say much about it.

Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu delves into what he believes (with much supporting evidence) is the Buddha's original intent with this teaching: dependent co-arising as the continuous cycle of rebirth of the ego that binds us to suffering over and over, within this lifetime, every day of our lives. He explores how to recognize the stages of the process, where action can be taken to break harmful cycles, and the undoing of the cycle. He gives practical advice on meditations, contemplations, and further readings.

I was looking for a book like this, and I am so glad that it caught my eye. It is among the finest examples of a highly accessible book on practical Buddhism, and I predict that I will read it at least one more time. It is not one that I would recommend as someone's first exposure to Buddhism, but for anybody who has studied Buddhist philosophy a bit and is looking to go a little deeper into dependent origination/co-arising, by all means, you won't regret reading this.

[My Tran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tôi đọc, và mày mò tìm hiểu nhiều thứ cùng một lúc, những thứ theo một mối duyên nào đó mà rơi vào vòng để tâm, quán thấy của tôi, ít nhất là vào thời điểm hiện tại: hành thiền, Zen, Phật giáo, văn chương, viết lách, chủ nghĩa hiện sinh, Henry Miller, thơ Rilke, thơ Rumi, Fernando Pessoa, khoa học, trời sao và các vì tinh tú, ý nghĩa sâu sắc của tính dục/Sex, sự lặng im/Quiet và ngôn ngữ/ Language...

Mọi kiến thức tôi học được kể từ ngày rời Việt Nam đều du nhập vào tôi bằng hai thứ tiếng: Anh và Việt. Tàn nhẫn tách đôi tôi ra bằng hai ngôn ngữ, hai lối nghĩ, xét đoán, đôi khi tất cả đan xen, đôi khi tung mù, rối loạn, khóa trái tôi trong sự im lặng không lời.

Kiến thức không có màu, giới tính, không có tôn giáo, không có ranh giới quốc gia, sắc tộc, không có chủ quyền dân tộc. Biển kiến thức chính là sự tự do, nhưng hãy nhớ, đừng để bản thân bị dính mắc vào bất cứ thứ gì.

Câu nói khiến tôi tâm đắc, (và bừng tỉnh theo một cách nào đó) trong quyển sách này chính là: dính mắc vào vẻ bề ngoài của bản thân đôi khi tốt hơn là dính mắc vào sự hiểu biết của bản thân, vì bề ngoài thay đổi chậm hơn là tâm thức.

Tôi rất thích cách diễn giải về "tánh không", một cách nào đó quyển sách đã trả lời tôi về một ý thích thuở bé, tôi đã luôn thích cái tên của thuyền trưởng Nemo, là không ai cả, không gì cả, không có ai để trở thành, không có ai từng tồn tại, không là ai để mất, không có nơi nào để thật đến thật đi, hành trình hay trách nhiệm nào để hoàn thành, không có con sông nào để vượt qua.

Một quyển sách khiến tôi thay đổi cách mình quan sát mọi thứ, từ nay, không chỉ quan sát thế giới một cách tỉnh thức, mà còn tách bạch mình (một cách thô bạo và dứt khoát) ra khỏi chính mình, để có thể quan sát chính mình, một cá thể sản-phẩm-người hòa nhập, ảnh hưởng, tác động đến thế giới xung quanh mình như thế nào.

Trở thành một cái tôi chung nhất, rộng lớn hơn. Cái "tôi" và cái "của tôi", ô hay trùng hợp thay, tất cả đều gom góp trong cái tên của chính mình, là My.

[AyeMyat Thinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book because my Thai friends recommended me as the highest level of Dhamma teaching. I have never read a book that describes nibban (nirvana) in such intricate and phenomenal details. For some, the teachings can be philosophical knowledge but for those who practice Dhamma, the teachings can turn into insight. Either way, the book describes the teachings in the core of Buddhism.

[Phillip Moffitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ajahn Buddhadasa was one of the most influential teachers in Thailand in the last century. This book explores what is meant by sunyata (emptiness or voidness). The teachings of emptiness are challenging and Ajahn Buddhadasa gives a clear description of his understanding of it and how you can experience it for yourself. It’s a book that every experienced student will want to be familiar with.

[Siska · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took a while for me to finish. It initially felt so dry to read and rather to difficult to relate on experiential level.

Until I found another book to read this in conjunction, which is Master Sheng Yen's ZEN - Tiada Penderitaan, the translated edition of There is No Suffering. The two makes a good and complementary reading up to a point.

Bhikkhu Buddhadasa has a rare and profound view on the dependent origination and how we should practice towards liberation. In the end, this book offers a good and complete review of the theory as well as direction towards practice, which is rather a rare find.

[Phil Calandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Under the Bodhi Tree" emphasizes the primary tenet of Buddhism which is Dependent Co-arising which states that everything comes from the theory of conditionality. This theory is central to the Buddha's experience and teachings with the idea that everything appears, changes, ceases to exist and is dependent upon other things that share the same essential nature. This view of ourselves and our world is more of a process than an entity that is crucial in understanding Buddhism albeit it a very difficult concept to comprehend and accept.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This is a wonderful book. It’s very much a “modern” interpretation of the Dhamma, but it’s so lucid, so cogent, so … appealing. There’s one or two places where I want to step aside to consider whether and how I agree (or not), but I’m kind of in love with this book as I close it now. I will surely re-read it.

[me · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on Buddhism I have read.

[Tan Khuc · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Không được bám víu vào bất cứ điều gì".

[Had Walmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just getting started. Am pleased to find some words on emptiness,
in my Theravada Tradition.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intelligently written book on "voidness", which is emptying and freeing your mind. This comes from Thai Buddhism. Teaching you to empty/free your mind of "I', "Me", "Mine". And in today's world of egotism and self interest (as well as Narcissism), what a glorious book to teach us to be void of Self (and not the whole Self, but the Self Interest we have of "I", "Me, "Mine". Speaking of this as a spiritual disease, coming from ignorance and wrong view. With how privileged our society is, we need to take a look at our selfishness, how greed and anger occupy so much of our being. I would recommend that everyone read this book, to learn and grow, and treat others as we would want to be treated (as the Bible speaks about). Wonderful book!

[Ata A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the bodhi tree, the core of this book, and essentially the message of Buddadhasa, is the essence of the message of the Buddha is sunnata/"voidness" commonly translated as emptiness.

"Nothing whatsoever should be clung to as 'I' or 'mine', says the Buddha. Ego conciousness is to be let go of. The grasping and clinging is the cause of dukkha/suffering/discomfort etc

Buddadhasa does a fantastic job explaining sunnata and makes the abstract thought provoking philosophy palatable to the reader!

[Phil Calandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Heartwood of the Bodhi Tree" is a good introduction to the topic of Buddhism. The central message of the book is that all things are void of an enduring and independent identity. Thus the conclusion is that there is no independent self and that the belief in self is a consequence of blind attachment and ignorance which leads to suffering. The author explains the actual practice of his Buddhist Philosophy in his excellent book "Mindfulness with Breathing A Manual for Serious Beginners".

[Matthew W · Rating 5 out of 5]

short, deep book on sunnata/voidness

Wonderfully deep and succinct. Voidness/emptiness, being void of I and mine, is covered in depth from various angles. This book is shorter, more compact than the companion book Under the Bodhi Tree which focused on Dependent Co-Arising (Interdependent Origination, etc.). Both, together, are treasures to be read, reread, studied, and practiced. Enjoy!

[David Stys · Rating 5 out of 5]

First half seemed to repeat the basic premise that ‘all is void’. The second half well made up the difference by speaking of voidness in practical terms.

Not clinging to the ‘I’ and ‘mine’, recognizing how a self is created in the process of dependent co-origination, and watching vedana as a practice were all take aways for me.

[Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This compact text is worth going through slowly. The person from whom I got the idea to read this has recently told me that all Buddhist instructional texts are like this — dense but concise.

The good news is I've figured it out and am now in a state of enlightenment that instructs my days.

Okay, not quite. But it's very worthwhile. Highly recommended.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Done of the most lucid and clear modern Buddhist teaching on the subject of Voidness, or Suññata I've come across. This is a brilliantly clear book describing things any Buddhist or anyone interested in the buddha-dhamma would be wise to learn. Highly recommended.

[dB · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot to chew on in this one.

[Van Tran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Di sản trí tuệ tv

[William T · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for all serious practitioners or the seriously curious.

[Dave Bergen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most important books on the Buddha's teaching ever written. Buddhadasa highlights the central importance of voidness in the Buddha's teachings and practices, a fact often overlooked in watered-down, consumer-oriented English works on 'Buddhism' (whatever *that* is). I could go on, but I would be keeping from reading it. If you want to really understand the Buddha and his teaching, read it now.

[Heather Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn Buddhism. It is a concise teaching of sunnata. Ajahn Buddhadasa explains how to master this in our daily life. You can be a beginner or a master at Buddhism to understand this wonderful teaching.He gives a common sense approach to understanding sunnata and applying it to your life.

[Forest Tong · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book for several reasons. First, it felt too one-sided and dogmatic; second, the analogies, which are for me frequently the most illuminating part of dharma books, were weak; and third, the pacing was very strange, with some simple things stretched out to great lengths and complex things skimmed over. I suppose it does deliver its point, but I left it feeling a disconnect.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Key teaching. Happiness, ours and others, can be only as nothing is held as me or mine, we or ours. Few will understand and actualize this ultimate truth while living and interacting with others in our day to day lives. Still Buddhadasa Bhikkhu vows to teach us all.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical and insightful

I really liked the clear explanations of difficult subjects. It made things quite clear. One is left with a much better understanding of the central part of Buddhism.

[Satria Anggaprana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pemaparan Buddhadasa Bikkhu mengenai sunyata sangat gamblang. Buku ini tidak akan pernah benar-benar bisa selesai dibaca. :DD

[Vo Khon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cốt lõi lời giáo huấn là khong bám víu vòa gì cả về cả hữu hình lẫn vô hình. Phật chỉ dạy về tánh không.
Biết được các thói quen xấu, vô minh cũng đều thuộc tánh không. Từ đó thấy thoải mái hơn.

[Conrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it's a very clear explanation of some very complex concepts, I will definitely benefit from second and third readings.