About the Book
An abridged translation of one of the most important books on Theravada Buddhism in recent history-authored by the esteemed Thai monk P. A. Payutto.
This masterpiece of scholarship is an authoritative overview of Theravada Buddhism, the form of Buddhism that is predominant in Southeast Asia and has in recent decades been popularized in the West through the mindfulness movement and vipassana meditation. Venerable P. A. Payutto unpacks in great detail the core views and practices that are said to bring the Buddhist practitioner to the state of nibanna, or enlightenment.
Replete with passages from the ancient Pali canon of Buddhist texts, Payutto frames the Buddhist teaching in terms of broad existential questions that all of us face- "What Is Life?"; "What Is Life Like?"; "How Does Life Work?"; "How Should Life Be?"; and "How Should Life Be Lived?" Payutto's illuminating expertise shows Theravada Buddhism to be a thorough explication of how reality unfolds according to natural processes-as well as a way of life that can yield the highest form of happiness.
This book offers discussions of unparalleled sophistication on such foundational Buddhist teachings as the five khandas, dependent arising, kamma, the noble eightfold path, spiritual friendship, wise attention, the four noble truths, the nature of enlightenment, and more. This is an essential guide for anyone walking the Theravada Buddhist path.
About the Author :
A Theravada Buddhist monk since 1961, BHIKKHU P. A. PAYUTTO is widely acknowledged as one of Thailand's foremost Buddhist scholars. He is a prolific writer whose works in Thai span the gamut of social issues such as Buddhist approaches to economics, administration, education, and science, as well as more traditional Buddhist works, including Buddhist dictionaries and commentaries. He was awarded the 1994 UNESCO Prize for Peace Education and is the abbot of a monastery called Wat Nyanavesakavan in Thailand.
BRUCE EVANS is a translator and Theravada Buddhist practitioner. He took bhikkhu ordination under Ajahn Chah in the 1970s and lived for seventeen years as a monk in Thailand. From 1985 to 1992, he served as abbot of a remote monastery on the Thailand-Laos border, during which period he translated several works by Ajahn Chah. Since returning to lay life in 1992, Evans has continued to translate Thai Buddhist works.
Review :
“For many centuries in the Southern Buddhist world, Buddhaghosa’s Visuddhimagga was the go-to text for a compendium of Buddhist teachings and an exegesis of the Pali canon. In the current age, Ven. P. A. Payutto’s magnificent and comprehensive Buddhadhamma has begun to replace that venerable text, analyzing and explaining the essential teachings of the Buddha and making them accessible for a contemporary readership.
This new publication, The Essential Buddhadhamma, is a somewhat condensed version of the original treatise, ably presented by Bruce Evans. I cannot recommend it too highly, as it contains the core Buddhist teachings of the Pali canon in a wonderfully systematic and practical format. Anyone interested in understanding the Theravadin view of life and Buddhist practice will be blessed with a treasure trove of teachings if they delve into this book and explore its myriad elucidations.”
—Ajahn Amaro, abbot of Amaravati Monastery
“For over thirty years, Bruce Evans has worked in close consultation with the author of Buddhadhamma to refine his English translation, cut out any conceivable excess, and give us The Essential Buddhadhamma. A Thai masterpiece of Theravada Buddhism, the scope and meaning of the Buddha’s teachings are explained here in a wholly satisfying way. Scriptural knowledge and authentic understanding rarely come together like this, showing us a coherent vision of life, truth, and purpose. Recommend 1000%.”
—Ajahn Hāsapañño, abbot of Vimokkharam Forest Hermitage
“This impressive survey gives us an ‘inquire within about everything’ for Theravada Buddhism. Practicing Buddhists, students, and scholars will welcome the chance to encounter Ven. Payutto’s authoritative discussions on almost any topic you could think of: dependent arising, the five aggregates, theories of not-self, rebirth, and many others that can be so difficult to grasp. Payutto walks us carefully through some of the thorniest areas of debate around these themes—and in a readable style that makes his compendious volume ideal both as a work of reference and as something to read and consider for interest. Chapters on key topics of doctrine and practice are accessible and suitable for beginners as well as those with greater knowledge. The Essential Buddhadhamma promises to be a classic manual for many years to come.”
—Sarah Shaw, author of The Art of Listening
“This deep dive into the underpinnings of the Theravada Buddhist path—with its clear, detailed explications—provides trustworthy guidelines for gauging one’s development of right view and meditation, and should become a resource that will stand the test of time.”
—Paul Breiter, translator of Ajahn Chah’s Being Dharma
“In The Essential Buddhadhamma, Ven. P. A. Payutto offers fundamental Buddhist teachings in practical, lucid, and descriptive prose. Payutto, through the editing and translation of Bruce Evans, reveals the Dhamma’s value for our lives, grounded in the authoritative texts of the Pali canon.”
—Brooke Schedneck, author of Living Theravada
“The Essential Buddhadhamma is the book for everyone seeking a comprehensive, practical, and insightful overview of early Buddhist and Theravada teachings. As the early corpus is huge, a comprehensive survey requires length, even in abridged form. Ven. Payutto is judiciously loyal to the texts and wise tradition, beautifully incorporating the Buddha’s original teachings throughout. He guides practitioners in thinking through and digesting these profound teachings so that we may put them into practice intelligently. Bruce Evans has managed the abridgment nicely. Appropriately, the emotions it fosters are equanimity, confidence, and contentment.
“Venerable Bhikkhu P. A. Payutto has long been a jewel of the Thai Saṅgha: kind, humble, gracious, and generous. I know of no better overview of early Buddhist and Theravada teachings than his masterpiece.”
—Santikaro Upasaka, cotranslator of Ajahn Buddhadasa’s Seeing with the Eye of Dhamma
