The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching

Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation

By: Thích Nhất Hạnh

Narrated by: René Ruiz

Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

With poetry and clarity, Thich Nhat Hanh imparts comforting wisdom about the nature of suffering and its role in creating compassion, love, and joy–all qualities of enlightenment.

“Thich Nhat Hanh shows us the connection between personal, inner peace, and peace on earth.”—His Holiness the Dalai Lama

In The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching, now revised with added material and new insights, Nhat Hanh introduces us to the core teachings of Buddhism and shows us that the Buddha’s teachings are accessible and applicable to our daily lives.

Covering such significant teachings as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, the Three Doors of Liberation, the Three Dharma Seals, and the Seven Factors of Awakening, The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching is a radiant beacon on Buddhist thought for the initiated and uninitiated alike.

©2014 Thich Nhat Hanh (P)2014 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Thich Nhat Hanh writes with the voice of the Buddha.”—Sogyal Rinpoche

“If there is a candidate for 'Living Buddha' on earth today, it is Thich Nhat Hanh.”—Richard Baker-roshi

“Thich Nhat Hanh is a real poet.”—Robert Lowell

Absolutely the Best Guide to the Buddha's Path

While it is a very long discourse, there is no better or richer teaching than this book on the path that leads us out of suffering into happiness as first taught by the Buddha himself. This book is like a Buddhist's Bible, complex but logical as a comprehensive explanation of how so many over the milenia have found solace in the realizations given to all mankind bt the Buddha. There is no finer teacher other than the author of this book as well.

Great overview for beginners

If you're interested in learning about Buddhism as a practice, this is a great start. The author is eloquent and makes it understandable by using analogy. It's a good read, and although the entertainment factor isnt huge, as a learning tool, it's something I'll reread several times.

Comprehensive

This work is comprehensive and really well put together, however from the consideration of learning/reviewing the content, I suggest a printed book, which is easier to annotate, highlight and flip back to. Still, it is really rewarding content. :)

Not for beginners

Much of the early content was very informative, but I may have preferred skipping almost the entire second half, which seemed to mostly devolve into reciting and re-reciting long lists of Buddhist precepts over and over with very little description of how they came to be and how they apply in a modern understanding.

liberate yourself from societal expectations

This book was freeing in so many ways. I found myself rewinding and bookmarking so I could return to key statements. I probably need a hardcopy. I've heard it's watered down Buddha teachings, so this may not be for seasoned Buddhists. As an introduction, it's good stuff.

Light shredding jewel

Clear concise text that shines a modern light on ancient teachings. Beautiful. Thank you, all involved in writing and producing.

Decipher Buddha’s Teachings

Thich Nhat Hanh deciphers the Buddha’s teachings in a clear and easy to understand manner, and illustrate the principles with vivid imagery and stories.

great content, for everyone to read

a great interpretation of the teachings and very well narrated. as with every book about buddhism the author put his personal opinion on what his key topics are, so those needs to be looked past. but overall it's knowledge we all need to study in depth,.

could listen to this every day forever

This book has brought me so much peace and calm, and most importantly, effective ways to deal with the chaos of today's world. Every time I listen to it I pick up something new.

High level stuff

Definitely not the beginners’ edition but if you want the Bible of Budism, I’d say this is pretty close.