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The Noble Eightfold Path: Way to the End of Suffering
This book offers a clear, concise account of the Eightfold Path prescribed to uproot and eliminate the deep underlying cause of suffering—ignorance. Each step of the path is believed to cultivate wisdom through mental training, and includes an enlightened and peaceful middle path that avoids extremes. The theoretical as well as practical angles of each of the paths—right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration—are illustrated through examples from contemporary life. The work's final chapter addresses the Buddhist path and its culmination in enlightenment.
133 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
512 people are currently reading
2214 people want to read
About the author
Bhikkhu Bodhi
97 books280 followersBhikkhu 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
October 13, 2010
I read this book for a class, and our teacher told us that Bhikkhu Bodhi is one of the greatest living translators of the Buddha's teachings from the original Pali. That explains why the 120 pages of text are some of the most exquisitely precisely written I've ever read, illuminating the Buddha's philosophy with powerful clarity. Superb.
December 12, 2017
If you were to call this book a Buddhism Primer you would in a sense be correct. But this book is so much more than that. Although short and compact, Bhikkhu Bodhi makes every line sing, every word count.
I read this book some year ago, just as I set out on the Buddhist path, and found it very informative. Now, after ten or so years of study, reflection, and meditation I have read it again, and now (with a little less dust in my eyes) this book really sings. Bhikkhu Bodhi is both extremely insightful and erudite (he is a respected and renowned Pali scholar after all), and the way he now (reading with better eyes) outlines the path summarizes it so eloquently, and still in such depth, that I’d consider this book as a sole companion on that often-posited desert island.
Also, keep a dictionary handy, Bhikkhu Bodhi writes extremely well, and he will us unfamiliar words if it is the correct and best word to use. I looked many of them up, and he is always spot on. Sometimes his sentences explode with meaning.
Very highly recommended.
I read this book some year ago, just as I set out on the Buddhist path, and found it very informative. Now, after ten or so years of study, reflection, and meditation I have read it again, and now (with a little less dust in my eyes) this book really sings. Bhikkhu Bodhi is both extremely insightful and erudite (he is a respected and renowned Pali scholar after all), and the way he now (reading with better eyes) outlines the path summarizes it so eloquently, and still in such depth, that I’d consider this book as a sole companion on that often-posited desert island.
Also, keep a dictionary handy, Bhikkhu Bodhi writes extremely well, and he will us unfamiliar words if it is the correct and best word to use. I looked many of them up, and he is always spot on. Sometimes his sentences explode with meaning.
Very highly recommended.
April 10, 2017
A superb introduction to core Buddhist doctrines from the most notable contemporary translator of the Pali Cannon. Because of this, I had expected it to be dry. It wasn't. Instead, Bodhi is a fabulous communicator. Better still, Bodhi's deep commitment to the Buddha's actual words makes gives this exposition of core ideas a depth that introductory teachings often lack. My only objection is that it was too short.
August 3, 2021
Clunky and impenetrable; nevertheless does offer a brief review of the Noble Eightfold Path. Not sure who the audience is. For a beginner, this is incomprehensible. For an advanced student of buddhism, it does not elaborate much on anything, rather it compiles list after list of terms, many poorly translated. Boddhi tries to cram everything into a slim volume with very little explanation. The result is both too much and too little. On top of that, the language is atrocious: repetitive, overcomplicated, tortured. The only reason I am giving it two stars is because it sparked interesting discussions in my sangha reading group - albeit I suspect that has more to do with the quality of the people, and not the book.
September 3, 2013
The Noble Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths constitute the heart of the Buddha's teaching. In this book, Bhikku Bodhi clarifies how the Noble Eightfold Path and the 4 Noble Truths contain each other to form the Doctrine and the Discipline (dhamma-vinaya). The 4 Noble Truths give the Doctrine, the Noble Eightfold Path the Discipline to be followed. To realize one is to realize the other. Bhikku Bodhi also clarifies how the Noble Eightfold Path is related to the Three-fold training (in morality or sila, concentration or samadhi, and wisdom or panna). Then he discusses each path factor in detail. Finally, he talks about how the Noble Eightfold Path, known also as the mundane path because it takes as its object of contemplation the conditioned world, gives rise to the 4 supramundane paths and fruits that constitute the 4 stages of Nibhaana.
Now don't be put off if you don't understand right now all these terms and schema (8, 4, 3 and so on). They are just different ways of presenting a reality that is inside you, right in your face, that confronts you every second in your existence, and that you can know through looking at your own everyday experiences. The Noble Eightfold Path is all about looking at your reality so that you can see it for what it really is, and not what you hope or suppose it to be. The thing is, we don't usually look at our realities carefully and properly, and because of this all manner of problems arise that cause us suffering. Therefore, the very first factor of the Eightfold Path is Right View. Once we correct our view of reality, everything follows. The path arises naturally once we get our views right.
Our thought becomes right, our speech becomes right. Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration follow. So to understand and achieve the Noble Eightfold Path, we must first understand what is right from what is wrong. This rightness is not a moral rightness with judgement meted out by some God, it is a rightness that has to be determined in terms of suffering - i.e. what causes us to suffer is wrong, what leads to the cessation of our suffering is right. Now, who wants suffering, right? Yeah, bad pun, but to avoid suffering, we gotta get the right right, right in the beginning. Bhikku Bodhi explains what is right in terms of these 8 path factors.
Reading this book will help you to see more clearly into the heart of your own experience, and to gain freedom from its dis-satisfactoriness. As the author points out, while the dhamma and the vinaya must be comprehended through the the direct seeing of reality in our own experiences, study of the dhamma and vinaya is also important as it can give rise to this direct seeing, guide the understanding of this revelation, and help further develop and perfect this direct apprehension, which is essentially an insight into the Truth of all life; a liberating wisdom.
This is a path that, in the Buddha's own words, runs contrary to the way of the world. This might sound difficult, daunting or unnatural to people, yet if they truly investigate their own reality (according to ways as suggested in the path), they will find that it is their wrong conceptions of reality that makes their life difficult, daunting and unnatural. Actually, the Noble Eightfold Path is the easy, pleasant and natural path to realize and to tread, and it leads to an easy, pleasant and natural abiding in the world. Anyone who wants to live a happy life free from anger, pain, frustration, dissatisfaction and suffering, and possess the ability to create happiness not only for oneself but also for others, now and always, this life and beyond, will do well to develop the Noble Eightfold Path. It is not hard to do, we just have to investigate our own reality and experiences to see the inherent dis-satisfactory side of it. Once the dis-satisfactory nature of experience (dukkha) is seen in one's own experience, the Path arises automatically, and can be developed naturally until it culminates in the fruit of complete liberation.
So, not only students of the dhamma and Buddhist meditators, but basically all seekers of happiness will find this book very useful.
Now don't be put off if you don't understand right now all these terms and schema (8, 4, 3 and so on). They are just different ways of presenting a reality that is inside you, right in your face, that confronts you every second in your existence, and that you can know through looking at your own everyday experiences. The Noble Eightfold Path is all about looking at your reality so that you can see it for what it really is, and not what you hope or suppose it to be. The thing is, we don't usually look at our realities carefully and properly, and because of this all manner of problems arise that cause us suffering. Therefore, the very first factor of the Eightfold Path is Right View. Once we correct our view of reality, everything follows. The path arises naturally once we get our views right.
Our thought becomes right, our speech becomes right. Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration follow. So to understand and achieve the Noble Eightfold Path, we must first understand what is right from what is wrong. This rightness is not a moral rightness with judgement meted out by some God, it is a rightness that has to be determined in terms of suffering - i.e. what causes us to suffer is wrong, what leads to the cessation of our suffering is right. Now, who wants suffering, right? Yeah, bad pun, but to avoid suffering, we gotta get the right right, right in the beginning. Bhikku Bodhi explains what is right in terms of these 8 path factors.
Reading this book will help you to see more clearly into the heart of your own experience, and to gain freedom from its dis-satisfactoriness. As the author points out, while the dhamma and the vinaya must be comprehended through the the direct seeing of reality in our own experiences, study of the dhamma and vinaya is also important as it can give rise to this direct seeing, guide the understanding of this revelation, and help further develop and perfect this direct apprehension, which is essentially an insight into the Truth of all life; a liberating wisdom.
This is a path that, in the Buddha's own words, runs contrary to the way of the world. This might sound difficult, daunting or unnatural to people, yet if they truly investigate their own reality (according to ways as suggested in the path), they will find that it is their wrong conceptions of reality that makes their life difficult, daunting and unnatural. Actually, the Noble Eightfold Path is the easy, pleasant and natural path to realize and to tread, and it leads to an easy, pleasant and natural abiding in the world. Anyone who wants to live a happy life free from anger, pain, frustration, dissatisfaction and suffering, and possess the ability to create happiness not only for oneself but also for others, now and always, this life and beyond, will do well to develop the Noble Eightfold Path. It is not hard to do, we just have to investigate our own reality and experiences to see the inherent dis-satisfactory side of it. Once the dis-satisfactory nature of experience (dukkha) is seen in one's own experience, the Path arises automatically, and can be developed naturally until it culminates in the fruit of complete liberation.
So, not only students of the dhamma and Buddhist meditators, but basically all seekers of happiness will find this book very useful.
May 3, 2022
The content is great, but as a casual beginner in learning Buddhism, the explanation is very dry. I don't mean I demand this book as a pleasure reading, but if you want to read this book, be prepared with the dryness.
This book is not intended for popular "self-help" book that could sell in general book market. This book is for people who want to know more about the basics of Buddhism.
This book is not intended for popular "self-help" book that could sell in general book market. This book is for people who want to know more about the basics of Buddhism.
May 7, 2024
On the practice of dhatuvavatthana in chapter VI:
"This meditation, called the analysis into elements, sets out to counter our innate tendency to identify with the body by exposing the body's essentially impersonal nature. The means it employs, as its name indicates, is the mental dissection of the body into the four primary elements, referred to by the archaic names earth, water, fire, and air, but actually signifying the four pincipal behavioural modes of matter: solidity, fluidity, heat, and oscillation. The solid element is seen most clearly in the body's solid parts - the organs, tissues, and bones; the fluid element, in the bodily fluids; the heat element, in the body's temperature; the oscillation element, in the respiratory process. The break with the identification of the body as "I" or "my self" is effected by a widening of perspective after the elements have come into view. Having analyzed the body into the elements, one then considers that all four elements, the chief aspects of bodily existence, are essentially identical with the chief aspects of external matter, with which the body is in constant interchange. When one vividly realizes that through prolonged meditation, one ceases to identify with the body, ceases to cling to it. One sees that the body is nothing more than a particular configuration of changing material processes which support a stream of changing mental processes. There is nothing here that can be considered a truly existent self, nothing that can provide a substantial basis for the sense of personal identity."
Great short text that took me a month to sink into. It's not extraordinarily difficult or anything but it is definitely a textbook and Academically Dry as a result, however I actually preferred that a lot rather than something more casual, Bodhi's tone is actually teacherly and not very warm or friendly which I appreciated for the sake of the content. I think at times I'm not entirely sure if this completely accessible as a primer for Buddhism because some of the terms used here seem much more familiar to long-term students of the philosophy, but it's short and mostly works well enough for what it is, just don't go in expecting to have every question about the Eightfold Path answered and treat it more like a general guide to return to and refresh your memory over the course of your journey. I'm not sure the Path is specifically my road to truth but this was helpful to get a better grasp on the concepts nonetheless.
"This meditation, called the analysis into elements, sets out to counter our innate tendency to identify with the body by exposing the body's essentially impersonal nature. The means it employs, as its name indicates, is the mental dissection of the body into the four primary elements, referred to by the archaic names earth, water, fire, and air, but actually signifying the four pincipal behavioural modes of matter: solidity, fluidity, heat, and oscillation. The solid element is seen most clearly in the body's solid parts - the organs, tissues, and bones; the fluid element, in the bodily fluids; the heat element, in the body's temperature; the oscillation element, in the respiratory process. The break with the identification of the body as "I" or "my self" is effected by a widening of perspective after the elements have come into view. Having analyzed the body into the elements, one then considers that all four elements, the chief aspects of bodily existence, are essentially identical with the chief aspects of external matter, with which the body is in constant interchange. When one vividly realizes that through prolonged meditation, one ceases to identify with the body, ceases to cling to it. One sees that the body is nothing more than a particular configuration of changing material processes which support a stream of changing mental processes. There is nothing here that can be considered a truly existent self, nothing that can provide a substantial basis for the sense of personal identity."
Great short text that took me a month to sink into. It's not extraordinarily difficult or anything but it is definitely a textbook and Academically Dry as a result, however I actually preferred that a lot rather than something more casual, Bodhi's tone is actually teacherly and not very warm or friendly which I appreciated for the sake of the content. I think at times I'm not entirely sure if this completely accessible as a primer for Buddhism because some of the terms used here seem much more familiar to long-term students of the philosophy, but it's short and mostly works well enough for what it is, just don't go in expecting to have every question about the Eightfold Path answered and treat it more like a general guide to return to and refresh your memory over the course of your journey. I'm not sure the Path is specifically my road to truth but this was helpful to get a better grasp on the concepts nonetheless.
December 7, 2025
Wonderful, dense book.
The book covers one of the most important concepts in Buddhism:
"the Noble Eightfold Path," which represents the 4th truth of the Noble Four Truths.
This book is very important as it covers many aspects of Buddhism and the way discovered by Buddha to get rid of/defeat/eliminate suffering.
It's recommended, but I can't say it's for beginners.
It requires familiarity with Buddhist concepts and the writing style of Buddhist writers.
Also, the language of the book is too formal and spiritual; there are words and sentence structures used only in translations of holy books or philosophical books.
The book covers one of the most important concepts in Buddhism:
"the Noble Eightfold Path," which represents the 4th truth of the Noble Four Truths.
This book is very important as it covers many aspects of Buddhism and the way discovered by Buddha to get rid of/defeat/eliminate suffering.
It's recommended, but I can't say it's for beginners.
It requires familiarity with Buddhist concepts and the writing style of Buddhist writers.
Also, the language of the book is too formal and spiritual; there are words and sentence structures used only in translations of holy books or philosophical books.
December 2, 2018
Bhikkhu Bodhi does a great job at distilling the complete teachings of the Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path with a good amount of details. The book contains a fractal summary of the path that aids in remembering it. I especially liked the chapters on Right View, Right Intention and the Development of Wisdom as they put things into perspective and explained the seemingly circular and interconnected nature of the teachings. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to get a good grasp of the Eightfold Path, the heart of the Buddha's teaching.
May 17, 2022
The two concepts that most have heard about Buddhism are the four noble truths and the noble eightfold path. All Buddhists know what these are and would be able to tell you that the four noble truths refer to the reality of suffering, how suffering arises, how it can cease, and the path towards the cessation of suffering - which is the noble 8 full path.
The teaching of Buddha is so sublime that it may not be so easy to explain this to an average person. This is not because the teachings are so convoluted, but primarily because our perspectives are hindered and obscured by our wrong beliefs that happiness related to the 6 senses last (the 6th sense is our mind and thoughts), that it should be pursued (craving), and about the permanence of our conscious and self-identity. This little booklet is so well written that I will need to read it again to fully appreciate how Bhikkhu Bodhi fleshes out all the connections in the whole schema of things.
As a Buddhist scholar monk who has translated many Pali scriptures, Bhikkhu Bodhi is very precise and careful in his choice of words and use of language. Only this way, we can learn to appreciate how sublime the teaching of Buddha is.
As I said, I will really need to read this again and again to fully appreciate it. I highly recommend this book, although it would not be something easy for a newcomer to Buddhism to read because of what you can call the technicalities of the multifaceted aspects of the single doctrine that Buddha taught.
The teaching of Buddha is so sublime that it may not be so easy to explain this to an average person. This is not because the teachings are so convoluted, but primarily because our perspectives are hindered and obscured by our wrong beliefs that happiness related to the 6 senses last (the 6th sense is our mind and thoughts), that it should be pursued (craving), and about the permanence of our conscious and self-identity. This little booklet is so well written that I will need to read it again to fully appreciate how Bhikkhu Bodhi fleshes out all the connections in the whole schema of things.
As a Buddhist scholar monk who has translated many Pali scriptures, Bhikkhu Bodhi is very precise and careful in his choice of words and use of language. Only this way, we can learn to appreciate how sublime the teaching of Buddha is.
As I said, I will really need to read this again and again to fully appreciate it. I highly recommend this book, although it would not be something easy for a newcomer to Buddhism to read because of what you can call the technicalities of the multifaceted aspects of the single doctrine that Buddha taught.
March 18, 2017
This one was very hard for me to get through (as you can see from my reading dates, it took me over four months). It's a very dense, Buddhist philosophy book that a book club I belong to chose. I had joked to my partner that there should be noble 8 fold path trading cards, but after having struggled through this book I don't think it's such a bad idea. Cards of some sort would have helped with my understanding and retention of this material. I guess I should have taken notes. Despite the length of time it took me get through it, I do think this book has a good message that's competently and concisely presented.
December 12, 2014
It's a great book, but difficult for beginners, it is dry and very academic, which is not great for beginners of Buddhism - for true beginners I would recommend Thich Nhat Hanh or the Dalai Lama.
This is for someone who wants to learn more about the technical aspects of Buddhism after having some basic knowledge about it.
Not great for your average beginner as the wording & vocab is very exhausting - I emphasize this because this is used as a guide for many beginner students and can be off-putting as an intro to Buddhism.
This is for someone who wants to learn more about the technical aspects of Buddhism after having some basic knowledge about it.
Not great for your average beginner as the wording & vocab is very exhausting - I emphasize this because this is used as a guide for many beginner students and can be off-putting as an intro to Buddhism.
December 20, 2016
When kamma is explained, it's not excessively clear: a notion so important and yet so widely misunderstood would deserve more space, in my opinion. Otherwise, a pretty good compendium for Theravada practitioners.
March 30, 2020
While I'd still probably recommend some more user-friendly, entertaining books as introductions to someone completely new to Buddhism, this is hands down the best one I've come across for just breaking down just what each aspect of the Eightfold Path entails philosophically and pragmatically. As I'm a secular fan of Buddhism rather than a practicing Buddhist myself, there were certainly some metaphysical claims in here I would, bare minimum, say I'm far from certain of myself. But regardless, I finished it feeling like I finally had a clear understanding of just what each of the eight components was and how they fit into the wider picture of the Buddha's message. I can't say I did before reading this.
April 22, 2024
3,5 stars; solid overview, for more explanatory literature on Buddhism be sure to check out Thich Nhat Hanh; The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation and Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life and Why Buddhism Is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment.
July 26, 2025
I thought the content was interesting but the style was challenging for me to stay submerged in. For me, the sentence structure limited my ability to follow the discussion, often due to a large number of commas, and several dependent clauses intrasentence, despite the provisio that dependent clauses are sometimes useful, leading it feeling a bit more like legalese, thus I would have liked the clauses broken out into simplified sentences, even if the book became longer.
July 31, 2019
Amazingly succinct description of the cornerstone of Buddhism.
May 12, 2022
Concise, clear summary of the essential path of the Buddha. It comes from a reasonably orthodox Theravada Buddhist perspective, but with eyes open to the complexities of modern Western lifestyles.
December 15, 2025
I listened to the audio version and found it very dry but clear - like reading a recipe or a music score.
August 20, 2022
Very dense reading material. It will take many rereadings and study for me to really understand it.
March 13, 2022
It is extraordinary. Highly recommend!
June 21, 2019
Jun 21, 2019
This book was recommended to me by the teacher in the 10-day Vipassana course. I don't like the re-birth time of arguments in the book, other than that, everything is good.
1. The Buddha calls this path (eightfold path) the middle way (中庸之道 in Chinese?) It steers clear of two extremes. One is the extreme of indulgence in sense pleasures, the attempt to extinguish dissatisfaction by gratifying desire. The other extreme is the practice of self-mortification, the attempt to gain liberation by afflicting the body.
2.Renunciation is not a matter of compelling ourselves to give up things still inwardly cherished, but of changing our perspective on them so that they no longer bind us.
3. The meditation begins with the development of lovingkindness towards oneself. The love (for others) are developed is not based on the relation (with those others) but on each person's common aspiration for happiness.
4. The unwholesome thought is like a rotten peg lodged in the mind; the wholesome thought is like a new peg suitable to replace it. The actual contemplation functions as the hammer used to drive out the old peg with the new one.
5. A paragraph reminds me of my grandpa who did a lot of slanderous speech. Slanderous speech is speech intended to create enmity and division, oto alienate one person or group from another. The motive behind is generally aversion, resentment of a rival's success or virtue, the intention to tear down others by verbal denigrations.
6. One way to counter the sexual desire is to contemplate the impermanent body. They'll have to die one day.
This book was recommended to me by the teacher in the 10-day Vipassana course. I don't like the re-birth time of arguments in the book, other than that, everything is good.
1. The Buddha calls this path (eightfold path) the middle way (中庸之道 in Chinese?) It steers clear of two extremes. One is the extreme of indulgence in sense pleasures, the attempt to extinguish dissatisfaction by gratifying desire. The other extreme is the practice of self-mortification, the attempt to gain liberation by afflicting the body.
2.Renunciation is not a matter of compelling ourselves to give up things still inwardly cherished, but of changing our perspective on them so that they no longer bind us.
3. The meditation begins with the development of lovingkindness towards oneself. The love (for others) are developed is not based on the relation (with those others) but on each person's common aspiration for happiness.
4. The unwholesome thought is like a rotten peg lodged in the mind; the wholesome thought is like a new peg suitable to replace it. The actual contemplation functions as the hammer used to drive out the old peg with the new one.
5. A paragraph reminds me of my grandpa who did a lot of slanderous speech. Slanderous speech is speech intended to create enmity and division, oto alienate one person or group from another. The motive behind is generally aversion, resentment of a rival's success or virtue, the intention to tear down others by verbal denigrations.
6. One way to counter the sexual desire is to contemplate the impermanent body. They'll have to die one day.
September 2, 2014
Dry is the word that comes to mind.
Clear and concise, says the blurb. Well, concise, sure. Clear is more questionable - if you have questions about the assertions made herein (and elsewhere in the Buddhist tradition), this is not where you will find them addressed.
I bought it out of curiosity about the notion of "right speech" (one of the folds of the noble 8x path), but to be honest (and not slanderous, harsh, idle or false), the Wikipedia entry on the noble eightfold path - my starting point - was possibly slightly less concise but more importantly was at least as clear.
It took me a long time to slog along this schematic outline of the path and I don't feel all that much enlightened, or satisfied (though I have now had it drummed into me that the notion of satisfaction is illusory).
I'd say this book is of limited value to readers seeking a felt understanding of Buddhism, but could be useful as a quick reference for some of the apparently numerous conceptual schemata of Buddhism - as in the eightfold path, the ten defilements, the four sublime states, etc. etc. (Incidentally, this numbering fixation itself seems to me a marked and intriguing feature of Buddhism. If anyone can point me at any thematic discussions of this, I'd be impermanently grateful.)
Clear and concise, says the blurb. Well, concise, sure. Clear is more questionable - if you have questions about the assertions made herein (and elsewhere in the Buddhist tradition), this is not where you will find them addressed.
I bought it out of curiosity about the notion of "right speech" (one of the folds of the noble 8x path), but to be honest (and not slanderous, harsh, idle or false), the Wikipedia entry on the noble eightfold path - my starting point - was possibly slightly less concise but more importantly was at least as clear.
It took me a long time to slog along this schematic outline of the path and I don't feel all that much enlightened, or satisfied (though I have now had it drummed into me that the notion of satisfaction is illusory).
I'd say this book is of limited value to readers seeking a felt understanding of Buddhism, but could be useful as a quick reference for some of the apparently numerous conceptual schemata of Buddhism - as in the eightfold path, the ten defilements, the four sublime states, etc. etc. (Incidentally, this numbering fixation itself seems to me a marked and intriguing feature of Buddhism. If anyone can point me at any thematic discussions of this, I'd be impermanently grateful.)
April 23, 2014
Scholar monk Bhikkhu Bodhi had an American education and ordained in the Theravada order in Sri Lanka. Many of his translations and works on the Pali Canon as well as the classes on YouTube are gifts to the world for posterity. But this little volume is by no means negligible. A small and humble, inviting book on the Noble Eightfold Path as formulated in the Pali Canon, this book does great justice to the Dhamma.
Remember however that this is not a meant for reading in a train journey or by your breakfast table. This is structured somewhat like a textbook, going from one topic to another in succession. It is not like Ajahn Thanissaro's treatises that do an in depth study, or like any of the essays that either of them have written. But it is a great place for any new person to start.
Remember however that this is not a meant for reading in a train journey or by your breakfast table. This is structured somewhat like a textbook, going from one topic to another in succession. It is not like Ajahn Thanissaro's treatises that do an in depth study, or like any of the essays that either of them have written. But it is a great place for any new person to start.
January 31, 2022
Four stars because I still suffer...
July 15, 2023
Short book covering the eightfold path in some of clearest ways I have encountered. Bodhi is a wordsmith and is able to take hard concepts and clarify them.
I found the beginning of this book to be excellent, but struggled in the middle to retain my focus.
Here were my main Takeaways:
* The Path is more important than the teachings
“The path claims primacy because it is precisely this that brings the teaching to life. The path translates the Dhamma from a collection of abstract formulas into a continually unfolding disclosure of truth.”
* Think of the steps as “components” like strands in a rope all contributing for maximum strength.
* Freedom from desire comes through understanding, not compelling ourselves to give up things.
* Metta definition: an intense feeling of selfless love for other beings radiating outwards as a heartfelt concern for their well-being and happiness.
* Right speech is to take a stand on the side of reality
“much more than an ethical principle, devotion to truthful speech is a matter of taking our stand on reality rather than illusion, on the truth grasped by wisdom rather than the fantasies woven by desire.”
* Mindfulness is like surfing
“The mind is deliberately kept at the level of bare attention, a detached observation of what is happening within us and around us in the present moment. In the practice of right mindfulness the mind is trained to remain in the present, open, quiet, and alert, contemplating the present event. All judgements and interpretations have to be suspended, or if they occur, just registered and dropped. The task is simply to note whatever comes up just as it is occurring, riding the changes of events in the way a surfer rides the waves on the sea. The whole process is a way of coming back into the present, of standing in the here and now without slipping away, without getting swept away by the tides of distracting thoughts.”
* Mindfulness is about not doing, refraining.
“To practice mindfulness is thus a matter not so much of doing but of undoing: not thinking, not judging, not associating, not planning, not imagining, not wishing. All these “doings” of ours are modes of interference, ways the mind manipulates experience and tries to establish its dominance. Mindfulness undoes the knots and tangles of these “doings” by simply noting.”
Spiritual paths are to be committed to, not dabbled with
This, to me, is one of the best summaries of the path found in the Epilogue:
"The higher reaches of the path may seem remote from us in our present position, the demands of practice may appear difficult to fulfil. But even if the heights of realization are now distant, all that we need to reach them lies just beneath our feet. The eight factors of the path are always accessible to us; they are mental components which can be established in the mind simply through determination and effort. We have to begin by straightening out our views and clarifying our intentions. Then we have to purify our conduct—our speech, action, and livelihood. Taking these measures as our foundation, we have to apply ourselves with energy and mindfulness to the cultivation of concentration and insight. The rest is a matter of gradual practice and gradual progress, without expecting quick results. For some progress may be rapid, for others it may be slow, but the rate at which progress occurs should not cause elation or discouragement. Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law."
I found the beginning of this book to be excellent, but struggled in the middle to retain my focus.
Here were my main Takeaways:
* The Path is more important than the teachings
“The path claims primacy because it is precisely this that brings the teaching to life. The path translates the Dhamma from a collection of abstract formulas into a continually unfolding disclosure of truth.”
* Think of the steps as “components” like strands in a rope all contributing for maximum strength.
* Freedom from desire comes through understanding, not compelling ourselves to give up things.
* Metta definition: an intense feeling of selfless love for other beings radiating outwards as a heartfelt concern for their well-being and happiness.
* Right speech is to take a stand on the side of reality
“much more than an ethical principle, devotion to truthful speech is a matter of taking our stand on reality rather than illusion, on the truth grasped by wisdom rather than the fantasies woven by desire.”
* Mindfulness is like surfing
“The mind is deliberately kept at the level of bare attention, a detached observation of what is happening within us and around us in the present moment. In the practice of right mindfulness the mind is trained to remain in the present, open, quiet, and alert, contemplating the present event. All judgements and interpretations have to be suspended, or if they occur, just registered and dropped. The task is simply to note whatever comes up just as it is occurring, riding the changes of events in the way a surfer rides the waves on the sea. The whole process is a way of coming back into the present, of standing in the here and now without slipping away, without getting swept away by the tides of distracting thoughts.”
* Mindfulness is about not doing, refraining.
“To practice mindfulness is thus a matter not so much of doing but of undoing: not thinking, not judging, not associating, not planning, not imagining, not wishing. All these “doings” of ours are modes of interference, ways the mind manipulates experience and tries to establish its dominance. Mindfulness undoes the knots and tangles of these “doings” by simply noting.”
Spiritual paths are to be committed to, not dabbled with
This, to me, is one of the best summaries of the path found in the Epilogue:
"The higher reaches of the path may seem remote from us in our present position, the demands of practice may appear difficult to fulfil. But even if the heights of realization are now distant, all that we need to reach them lies just beneath our feet. The eight factors of the path are always accessible to us; they are mental components which can be established in the mind simply through determination and effort. We have to begin by straightening out our views and clarifying our intentions. Then we have to purify our conduct—our speech, action, and livelihood. Taking these measures as our foundation, we have to apply ourselves with energy and mindfulness to the cultivation of concentration and insight. The rest is a matter of gradual practice and gradual progress, without expecting quick results. For some progress may be rapid, for others it may be slow, but the rate at which progress occurs should not cause elation or discouragement. Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law."
January 13, 2023
Of the books on classical (Theravādin) Buddhism that I've read so far, this book by Bhikkhu Bodhi is certainly the most enlightening.
The vague and enigmatic teachings of the Sutta Pitaka are crystallized into poignant disambiguations that sing with serene lyricism and shine with illuminating insight.
In this book, the famous eightfold path of Buddhism is utilized as a schematic foundation for dissecting and applying all of the most important concepts and themes of classical (Theravādin) Buddhist philosophy and practice. From the Four Noble Truths, to dependent origination, impermanence, dukkha, selflessness, the Jhanas of mindfulness, karma and rebirth (samsara), epistemological concerns regarding meditation vs. rational analysis, ontological concerns regarding philosophy of mind and the nature of reality, and so much more. For those wishing to incorporate meditation into their lives, this book also contains extremely detailed and practical overviews for engaging in multiple forms of Buddhist meditation, along with the philosophical and spiritual justifications and explanations to provide a strong foundation for beginning the practice of mindfulness.
I definitely recommend this book to any serious student of Buddhist philosophy. Its elegant and penetrating exegesis is overwhelmingly potent, and you will absolutely walk away from this book with a deeper understanding of Buddhism.
The vague and enigmatic teachings of the Sutta Pitaka are crystallized into poignant disambiguations that sing with serene lyricism and shine with illuminating insight.
In this book, the famous eightfold path of Buddhism is utilized as a schematic foundation for dissecting and applying all of the most important concepts and themes of classical (Theravādin) Buddhist philosophy and practice. From the Four Noble Truths, to dependent origination, impermanence, dukkha, selflessness, the Jhanas of mindfulness, karma and rebirth (samsara), epistemological concerns regarding meditation vs. rational analysis, ontological concerns regarding philosophy of mind and the nature of reality, and so much more. For those wishing to incorporate meditation into their lives, this book also contains extremely detailed and practical overviews for engaging in multiple forms of Buddhist meditation, along with the philosophical and spiritual justifications and explanations to provide a strong foundation for beginning the practice of mindfulness.
I definitely recommend this book to any serious student of Buddhist philosophy. Its elegant and penetrating exegesis is overwhelmingly potent, and you will absolutely walk away from this book with a deeper understanding of Buddhism.
July 14, 2025
Much more canonical, concrete, and logical than the Zen books I have been reading; though this work, by virtue of its specificity, seems more remote. To see the entire progression of the path laid out so clearly can feel forbidding and inaccessible, daunting and arduous. This is traditional Buddhism, with its emphasis on strict adherence to the path, and its dichotomies between wholesome and unwholesome, samsara and nibbana, defilements and wisdom. To be sure, these are real differences, but, if I've learned anything from reading about Zen and studying Mahayana Buddhism, it is not to reify these differences, not to become attached to one particular path or set of teachings, and not to make effort an impediment as opposed to a virtue, nor progress the goal as opposed to a sign.
Nevertheless, I appreciated the author's objective and precise style, and I've found much useful information here, much to return to and much to learn from. This is true Buddhism, and it's important to understand these perspectives; yet at the same time, I want to uncover the truth of Buddhism in myself, not to read it in a book, nor to abide by prescribed views (not that this book is dogmatic; in fact, it includes some statements of caution against the pitfalls I have described).
Nevertheless, I appreciated the author's objective and precise style, and I've found much useful information here, much to return to and much to learn from. This is true Buddhism, and it's important to understand these perspectives; yet at the same time, I want to uncover the truth of Buddhism in myself, not to read it in a book, nor to abide by prescribed views (not that this book is dogmatic; in fact, it includes some statements of caution against the pitfalls I have described).
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October 23, 2022Wow! This book is so incredibly dense & filled with references to the 4 paths of this and 8 factors of that.
It has a very academic feel to it & found it hard to listen through & get through.
It is interesting how the ‘translation’ of what the Buddah said thousands of years ago seems different, to me. in this book to what I have read in others. How do you know exactly what the buddah taught?
Based on this the path to enlightenement involves ultimately giving up all joy & happiness (eg from sex, food etc.) and moving in to states of equanimity. The book also goes in to past life times and says certain states may take ‘7 lifetimes’ to achieve.
I do like how the book feels like a very real recantation of what the Buddah taught. It raises questions about do I even want ‘enlightenment’? If so, the complexity feels quite overwhelming.
It touched on some things I found interesting to explore further like ‘the 7 factors of enlightenment.’
Found it impossible to ‘rate’ this book. Dense, complex & thought provoking that’s for sure!
It has a very academic feel to it & found it hard to listen through & get through.
It is interesting how the ‘translation’ of what the Buddah said thousands of years ago seems different, to me. in this book to what I have read in others. How do you know exactly what the buddah taught?
Based on this the path to enlightenement involves ultimately giving up all joy & happiness (eg from sex, food etc.) and moving in to states of equanimity. The book also goes in to past life times and says certain states may take ‘7 lifetimes’ to achieve.
I do like how the book feels like a very real recantation of what the Buddah taught. It raises questions about do I even want ‘enlightenment’? If so, the complexity feels quite overwhelming.
It touched on some things I found interesting to explore further like ‘the 7 factors of enlightenment.’
Found it impossible to ‘rate’ this book. Dense, complex & thought provoking that’s for sure!
August 22, 2021
O ciclo do nascer, envelhecer, morrer e renascer é acompanhado de sofrimento. O desejo é a origem desse sofrimento. Ao cessar o desejo, o sofrimento será eliminado. O caminho para cessar o sofrimento é o caminho óctuplo.
Dominar a mente, alcançar o estado de sabedoria, acabar com o sofrimento. Quem não quer?
Oito condições levam a sabedoria e ao fim do sofrimento.
O livro tem muitas ações práticas e bem especificas, algumas até curiosas como:
Para eliminar o desejo sensual: Trazer à luz a natureza repulsiva do corpo. Meditar sobre: cabelos da cabeça; pelos do corpo; unhas; dentes; pele; carne ; tendões; ossos; medula; rins; coração; fígado; diafragma; baço; pulmões; intestino grosso; intestino; delgado; conteúdo do estômago; excremento; cérebro; bile; catarro; pus; sangue; suor; gordura; lágrimas; sebo; meleca; saliva; fluído sinovial; urina
Para meditar sobre a impermanência: contemplar corpos desintegrando após a morte
Dominar a mente, alcançar o estado de sabedoria, acabar com o sofrimento. Quem não quer?
Oito condições levam a sabedoria e ao fim do sofrimento.
O livro tem muitas ações práticas e bem especificas, algumas até curiosas como:
Para eliminar o desejo sensual: Trazer à luz a natureza repulsiva do corpo. Meditar sobre: cabelos da cabeça; pelos do corpo; unhas; dentes; pele; carne ; tendões; ossos; medula; rins; coração; fígado; diafragma; baço; pulmões; intestino grosso; intestino; delgado; conteúdo do estômago; excremento; cérebro; bile; catarro; pus; sangue; suor; gordura; lágrimas; sebo; meleca; saliva; fluído sinovial; urina
Para meditar sobre a impermanência: contemplar corpos desintegrando após a morte
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