In Basic Teachings of the Buddha, Glenn Wallis selects sixteen essential dialogues drawn from more than five thousand Pali-dialect suttas of the Buddhist canon. The result is a vibrant introductory guide to studying Buddhist thought, applying its principles to everyday life, and gaining a deeper understanding of Buddhist themes in modern literature. Focusing on the most crucial topics for todayโs readers, Wallis presents writings that address modern psychological, religious, ethical, and philosophical concerns. This practical, inspiring, and engaging volume provides an overview of the history of Buddhism and an illuminating analysis of the core writings that personalizes the suttas for each reader.
โGlenn Wallis brings wisdom and compassion to this work of scholarship. Everyone should read this book.โ
โChristopher Queen, Harvard University
โA valuable sourcebook with a good selection of the fundamental suttas enhanced by an eloquent introduction and comprehensive notesโaltogether a very useful text.โ
โPeter Matthiessen (Roshi), author of The Snow Leopard and Nine-Headed Dragon River
โGlenn Wallisโs new and accessible translations of some of the Buddhaโs lectures to his original students, along with Wallisโs elegant guide to the texts, gives twenty-first-century readers in the modern West a fresh chance to learn from this teacher.โ
โCharles Hallisey, University of Wisconsin-Madison