In the Buddha's Words

An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon

By: Bhikkhu Bodhi - editor and translator

Narrated by: Fajer Al-Kaisi

Length: 18 hrs and 41 mins

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.

The content is great, the narration does not fit.

The content of this book is very good but the choice of narrator is very odd. His tone is odd for the subject and there was no effort to learn proper pronunciation of even the most common Pali words repeated throughout the text. The written version is better, though it is good to have an audio version of this book for travel and passive listening. Hopefully someday it can be re-recorded with a more fitting narrator.

Listen to the preview knowing that it is an optimal sample. If that preview bothers you, don’t buy the audio book.

Wonderful text, poor deliver.

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

Warning : Heavy scholarly decision minutiae.

The first 4 chapters are about the authors decision making process. Fire your editor dude. I listened for about 45 minutes and never heard a thing the Buddha said. I did hear the author mention that repetitive recapping by the Buddha was excised by the author. Managed to hear that through my snores because the author was repeating himself. Wait, so the Buddah gets edited down so that the author has more room to repeat himself... You picking up what I'm putting down. Yeah, I'm embarrassed I did it, but i dont think the author is.
I cannot say enough bad things about this book. Stay away. I got the impression the author was trying to insert himself and his views. That this interpretation of a prior translation is his legacy and you need to know how important he is.
Buried somewhere in this tome might be the Buddas own words, but after 45 minutes I never heard one.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

know what you're buying

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

phenomenal and soothing

I enjoyed both the selection and narration. This is worth your time and money. Everything else is shit.

Great!

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

Excellent

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

Disappointed

First of all, I was expecting an anthology if discourses from the pali canon but there was more commentary from the author on the suttas than the suttas themselves. Also the reader should've familiarized himself with the pronunciation of Pali rather than make things up as he went.

Nick

An amazing Collection of stories and discourses,Definitely not one for beginners but for the faithful everybody should have a copy of this book 🙏🙏🙏

very informative I would listen again

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

The Buddha's words

Loved this book and all the contents, the inner and outer peace that could be possible if everyone in the world came together with similar thoughts and practices, wow what a world that would be.

a very good read

a very good comprehensive look at the teaching of the pali canon. bikkhu bodhi's commentries are also excellent.

Read by a robot

I'm not convinced they employed a human to read this. I've heard robots that sounded more engaging.

This is such an inspirational book.

Bikkhu Bodhi has woven together this excellent book on the Buddhist path. Using snippets of different sizes, like threads, from the many discourses of the Buddha. Explaining why the Dhamma is needed, how it benefits the world, and the fruits of its practice.

Making the dhamma understandable, bringing clarity, and underlining that which is important. Concluding with dependent origination which is the backbone of the teachings of the Buddhas. Explaining in the Blessed One's own words that understanding the whole of dependent origination through one's own experience. Is what brings one to Nibbana (Nirvana).

"THE HOLY LIFE, friend Visakha, is grounded upon Nibbana, culminates in Nibbana, ends in Nibbana." - MN 44

This book is a scholarly piece, reading this will give the reader clarity into the whole Buddhist path. It won't teach the practice required to reach its end. Nibbana can be experienced. For that, I would recommend reading David C. Johnson's The Path to Nibbana or Delson Armstrong's A Mind Without Craving. Both two excellent Dhamma books, teaching the practice of Brahmaviharas, the fastest route to Nibbana