What the Buddha Taught
Encyclopedia
What the Buddha Taught, by Dr Walpola Rahula
, has been regarded as an important introductory book on Buddhism
. Supported by extracts from the ancient texts, Rahula gives clear and direct explanations of Buddhism's essential teachings, including: the Four Noble Truths
, the Buddhist attitude of mind, the Noble Eightfold Path
, meditation and mental development, and what the Buddha taught and the world today.
Dr Rahula has written extensively about Theravada Buddhism. His other books include History of Buddhism in Ceylon, Heritage of the Bhikkhu, Zen and the taming of the Bull and Le Compendium de la Super Doctrine (French).
Dr Walpola Rahula
(1907-1997) was a Buddhist monk and scholar, as well as a writer
. In 1964, he became the Professor of History and Religions at Northwestern University
, thus becoming the first bhikkhu to hold a professorial chair in the western world.
Walpola Rahula
The venerable Prof Walpola Sri Rahula Maha Thera was a Buddhist monk, scholar and writer. He is considered to be one of the top Sri Lankan intellectuals of the 20th century. In 1964, he became the Professor of History and Religions at Northwestern University, thus becoming the first bhikkhu to...
, has been regarded as an important introductory book on Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
. Supported by extracts from the ancient texts, Rahula gives clear and direct explanations of Buddhism's essential teachings, including: the Four Noble Truths
Four Noble Truths
The Four Noble Truths are an important principle in Buddhism, classically taught by the Buddha in the Dharmacakra Pravartana Sūtra....
, the Buddhist attitude of mind, the Noble Eightfold Path
Noble Eightfold Path
The Noble Eightfold Path , is one of the principal teachings of the Buddha, who described it as the way leading to the cessation of suffering and the achievement of self-awakening. It is used to develop insight into the true nature of phenomena and to eradicate greed, hatred, and delusion...
, meditation and mental development, and what the Buddha taught and the world today.
Dr Rahula has written extensively about Theravada Buddhism. His other books include History of Buddhism in Ceylon, Heritage of the Bhikkhu, Zen and the taming of the Bull and Le Compendium de la Super Doctrine (French).
Dr Walpola Rahula
Walpola Rahula
The venerable Prof Walpola Sri Rahula Maha Thera was a Buddhist monk, scholar and writer. He is considered to be one of the top Sri Lankan intellectuals of the 20th century. In 1964, he became the Professor of History and Religions at Northwestern University, thus becoming the first bhikkhu to...
(1907-1997) was a Buddhist monk and scholar, as well as a writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
. In 1964, he became the Professor of History and Religions at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
, thus becoming the first bhikkhu to hold a professorial chair in the western world.
Publication data
- Rahula, Walpola What The Buddha Taught, Oneworld Publications: Oxford, (1959) (revised 1974). ISBN 0-8021-3031-3