In the Buddha's Words

Publisher's Summary

This landmark collection is the definitive introduction to the Buddha's teachings - in his own words. The American scholar-monk Bhikkhu Bodhi, whose voluminous translations have won widespread acclaim, here presents selected discourses of the Buddha from the Pali Canon, the earliest record of what the Buddha taught. Divided into 10 thematic chapters, In the Buddha's Words reveals the full scope of the Buddha's discourses, from family life and marriage to renunciation and the path of insight. A concise, informative introduction precedes each chapter, guiding the listener toward a deeper understanding of the texts that follow.

In the Buddha's Words allows even listeners unacquainted with Buddhism to grasp the significance of the Buddha's contributions to our world heritage. Taken as a whole, these texts bear eloquent testimony to the breadth and intelligence of the Buddha's teachings, and point the way to an ancient, yet ever-vital path. Students and seekers alike will find this systematic presentation indispensable.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2005 Bhikkhu Bodhi (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Engaging,thought provoking,great guide book.

I found this very easy to digest and put into my mind for contemplating the discourses.
It is an invaluable book which for myself I feel I have to listen too again and possibly again to keep digesting as my knowledge and practice grows.
Fantastic work by Bikkhu Bodhi.

I listened to this book after the 3 Joseph Goldstein Mindfulness volumes. Now I am leaning back towards purchasing a Stephen Batchelor book to further my studies. Or re listening too Rethinking the Dharma for a secular age. Complimented by a Bodhi college
4 noble truths course.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Wonderful text, poor deliver.

Narrator (an actor) reads quickly, and makes the Buddha sound patronizing throughout. I was disappointed.

12 of 14 people found this review helpful

Performed by a robot

I absolutely do not believe that this is read by a person, it must be a robot.

This is the first audiobook out of hundreds that I just.could.not.finish. Awful reading.

16 of 19 people found this review helpful

Poor pronunciation

Any additional comments?

The mispronunciation of common Pali words was very distracting. It sounded like the actor was reading some of the words for the first time. Often he sounded as if he was sounding out the word. Words such as Tathagata is barely recognizable. The same can be said of some of the names of Nikayas, especially Majjhima and Aṅguttara. I would expect a professionally narrated book to be ... professionally narrated.

19 of 23 people found this review helpful

Greatest book ever

This book provides the clearest and most direct exposition of the Dhamma in existence (to my knowledge) in the English language. The translation is brilliant and presents the Suttas in the most accessible terms I have encountered. Bikkhu Bodhi's commentary is similarly brilliant and accessible. If I could have only one book in the world, it would be this one. I plan on listening to this book many more times. It removes so much of the filters and biases you get from reading other Dhamma teachings and cuts to the core of what the Buddha actually taught. My only criticism is of the reader's Pali pronunciation, but that is probably just because I'm used to the Thai renderings of Pali terms.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Source Code of Buddhism

I think we are very fortunate to have Bhikkhu Bodhi translating the discourses from the Pali Canon because this as close as possible we can come to Buddha teachings. To me, this is the source code of Buddhism. I wish there would be more of Bhikkhu Bodhi translations from the Pali Canon on audible. I have the books but I love to listen to them too. This one is a gem in both formats.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great performance!

This is the best performance I have ever heard. The narrator does not overdo it nor 'underdo' it, has great poise, & has a voice that matches the content well. This is also an invaluable book that gives you excerpts of the most reliable 'words' of the historical Buddha (and also explains why this is so).

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

know what you're buying

A terrific resource for those with deep interest in early Buddhism. Most likely very boring for those without.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

horrible audiobook

i think this is dictionary instead normal book. why can the author tell the story directly without reference everything in every sentence. it's so hard to comprehend while listening thru audio only

Learn to pronounce the words properly BEFOREHAND

I love the book, the teachings and the clarity of the presentation, but the presenter butchered the words over and over. It is a distraction. I wish that the performer had spent enough time to CARE ABOUT THE PROPER PRONUNCIATIONS as a part of the presentation. Other than that, this book is a brilliant sun in a dark age.
THANK YOU to all who made it possible.

Great!

A good selection of early buddhist texts beautifully read. Abridgements were also useful in keeping it brief.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Excellent

Excellent rendition. I really enjoyed and followed along in the book on my Kindle. I hope you do the whole series.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

very informative I would listen again

loved it. so much information. great pace able to put down and pick up again easily

1 of 1 people found this review helpful