Noble Strategy: Essays on the Buddhist Path

by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu

Genres: Buddhism, Essays, Nonfiction, Religion

70 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu, also known as Ajaan Geoff (born Geoffrey DeGraff, 1949), is an American Theravada Buddhist monk of the Dhammayut Order (Dhammayutika Nikaya), Thai forest kammatthana tradition. He is currently the abbot of Metta Forest Monastery in San Diego County. Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu is a translator of the Pāli Canon as well as more modern Buddhist works and the author of many articles and books on Dhamma.

Reviews

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written to "sell" Buddhist practices to Westerners. I've found it immensely helpful in thinking about such things as true happiness, karma, right speech, meditation, mindfulness, emptiness and other notions of Buddhism which I'd heard of but never looked at closely until now. The copy I have is in good condition. There is no ISBN number or publisher identified. At the end of the book I notice the following: Inquiries concerning this book may be sent to The Abbott/Metta Forest Monastery/PO Box 1409/Valley Center CA 92082. I was lucky to find the copy I have at the local Salvation Army store. The Introduction is dated August 1999. The author's name, Thanissaro Bhikkhu, is given in translation as Geoffrey DeGraff. At the bottom of the title page is printed "FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION". From the Introduction: "The essays in this book present views on basic elements in the Buddhist path - the attitudes, concepts, and practices that lead to total freedom for the mind. If the views are right, they themselves form a part of the path. Thus, in learning how to make best use of these essays, it's important to understand how views function in bringing about freedom."

[motioneffector · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of essays by Thanissaro Bhikkhu is very well-selected. It's definitely not for the total newbie to buddhism, as it assumes one already knows all the basics - this is a book for buddhists who are already versed in all the basics (path, truths, precepts, perfections, etc).

That's not to say someone newer won't benefit, as it has all sorts of useful stuff even a beginner can glean learning from - but like nearly all Thanissaro's work, it doesn't pull punches and isn't softened for the "McMindfulness" crowd. This is no-nonsense, efficient Theravada teaching.

For the enthusiastic beginner or the intermediate, this is a good dharma supplement. It probably won't change your life, but it will give you plenty of good teachings to read, if you "dwell in the dharma" and thus read dharma all the time - as will the other four books in the Essays series.

Freely available from: http://www.dhammatalks.org/ebook_inde...

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly academic, but an excellent coverage of introductory Buddhist concepts. I had previously read Thanissaro Bhikkhu's introductory text "The Buddha's Teachings", and this was great continuation.

While "The Buddha's Teachings" was broad but shallow, "Noble Strategy" does an wonderful job of diving slightly deeper into specific areas. Thanissaro Bhikkhu's style is very deliberate and complex, but it serves to very concisely convey complex concepts.

I would definitely recommend this as a follow-up to "The Buddha's Teachings", and will definitely be continuing to read Thanissaro Bhikkhu's work. I have been very intimidated by the Pali canon translations, but this left me feeling optimistic that I could make my way through his version of the translations.

[julksa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"pożar wszytskich zmysłów jest ugaszony a [subiekt] jest całkowicie wolny od nawet najbardziej subtelnego cierpienia czy ograniczeń egzystencji w przestrzeni i czasie."
1szp; ciepienie jest warunkiem istnienia (w tej postaci,
dlatego nibbany w tym życiu sie nie doświadczy )

[Balaji Ramasubramanian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ajahn Thanissaro is a master of words, wisdom and meditation. This book is a treasure for anyone new to the Dhamma, or even someone quite seasoned.

[Nitin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Noble Strategy is a solid guide written in simple, clear English, making it very accessible for beginners. It handles basic topics and practical meditation well. The sections on impermanence were not detailed enough to provide a deep understanding. I found the explanations of non-self to be quite confusing and lacking the necessary nuance. Overall, it is a great introductory book, but it falls short on Buddhism's more complex philosophical pillars.

[Tom Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great practical tips on ethical conduct and meditation. Also clarifies how to view vipassana and emptiness (from a Theravada perspective, i.e. how to use these tools to eliminate suffering). I also liked the essay on non-self/no-self, namely that the Buddha put the question aside, so so should we!

[Duc Anh · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book that gets to the heart of the matter. What it means to call yourself a buddhist. From daily interaction all the way to liberation

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always like his writings.