Basic Teachings of the Buddha

by Glenn Wallis

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 today's 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.
"Glenn Wallis brings wisdom and compassion to this work of scholarship. Everyone should read this book."
-Christopher Queen, Harvard University
"A valuable sourcebook with a good selection of the fundamental suttas enhanced by an eloquent introduction and comprehensive notes-altogether a very useful text."
-Peter Matthiessen (Roshi), author of "The Snow Leopard" and "Nine-Headed Dragon River"
"Glenn Wallis's new and accessible translations of some of the Buddha's lectures to his original students, along with Wallis's elegant guide to the texts, gives twenty-first-century readers in the modern West a fresh chance to learn from this teacher."
-Charles Hallisey, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"From the Trade Paperback edition."

Genres: Buddhism, Philosophy, Religion, Nonfiction

227 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Glenn Wallis provides a concise overview of the history of Buddhism and its core texts, some contextualization for his own views, and his translation of and commentaries on 16 suttas that he feels encapsulate the core teachings of Siddhartha Gotama. Wallis's selections and commentary are rather explicitly geared towards modern Western readers, specifically those who were likely raised with theistic ways of thinking, and at least one of his selections (the Tevijja Sutta) is, he acknowledges, selected primarily for this reason, and is not generally regarded as a core teaching. Still, overall I think the selections are difficult to argue with, containing some of the best known and most translated suttas in the canon (Dhammacakkappavattana (Turning the Wheel of the Dharma) Sutta, Anapanasati (Awareness of Breath) Sutta, Mahasatipatthana (Establishments of Mindfulness) Sutta) as well as other selections that illustrate key Buddhist ideas.

I felt that the structure of the text (which is divided, somewhat convolutedly, into an introduction, the translations, commentaries, and extensive footnotes, none of which really stand on their own without being read together (a commentary on dependent co-origination, maybe?)) and the language used could be intimidating and academic at times, which I think is unfortunate because it could constitute a barrier for many readers. I also found Wallis's choice to largely operate outside of the existing commentarial tradition on the texts to be frustrating at times; he positions himself as an independent free-thinker standing outside the edifice of Buddhism, boldly reinterpreting its core ideas, but the selection of writers he approvingly quotes throughout his introduction (Emerson, Whitman, Bloom) clearly establish that Wallis is indeed working from within a tradition: a Western literary tradition, with a clear emphasis on Romanticism.

Wallis's translation choices are frequently idiosyncratic, as he opts for his own translations for terms that already have well-established 'stock' translations in much English Buddhist literature. He generally provides a compelling rationale for such choices, and overall the decision is obviously geared towards providing a fresh encounter with the ideas and avoiding our human tendency to reify them into stock phrases and lists, losing our direct contact with them. While I appreciate this drive to push us into more direct contact with the meaning expressed by the texts, his aversion to using common translations can also have a disorienting effect. I found myself frequently having to consult other books I had already read to find the 'usual' terms or names for what was being discussed in a given sutta so that I could establish what I had already read about the concepts contained within it. This is not really a major issue, but could create confusion for the reader who is new to Buddhist concepts, so I would suggest this book for readers who already have some level of exposure to them.

I also feel that Wallis's choices in translation frequently veer towards the austere, having a hard-edged feeling to them at times. For metta, which is commonly rendered as 'loving kindness', Wallis gives us 'friendliness,' a decidedly less, well, loving term. Beyond individual translation choices, the dharma Wallis presents us with here is decidedly one of sharp edges. Where Thich Nhat Hanh in The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and LiberationThe Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation goes to excessive pains to sand down the rough patches of the Buddha's teaching in an effort to make it friendlier and warmer, Wallis has a tendency towards the opposite extreme, at times seeming to relish in the imagined discomfort of the reader as their ideas are challenged.

Yet for all the significant differences between these two thinkers' approach to presenting the dharma, the ultimate conclusions they reach are extremely similar (though I suspect Wallis would not enjoy hearing me say so—his blog has published some rather harsh critiques of Thich Nhat Hanh). They both emphasize the ultimate humanness of the Buddha, and every person's ability to apply his teachings and realize liberation and ease at any time by dwelling with awareness in the present moment.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting this book to be more introductory. While very I depth on 16 scriptures (suttas), the guides provided on how to read the text were a little too academic for where I am currently at. I would have preferred something with more plain language. The academic writing is a bit opaque at times; which does not pair well with the opaque suttas for the uninitiated. Once having a more intermediate understanding Buddhist teachings this would be a great book.

[Bob McCabe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basic Teachings of the Buddha is laid out in three sections.

The first section is about Buddhism -- the history, the general philosophy, and so forth. It then introduces the concept of the Sutta, which is basically an aphorism that gets at some of the lessons of Buddhism. From there, the meat of the book focuses on these Sutta, with the author hand-picking 16 that he feels does a good job at generalizing the core of Buddhism; this keeps him from (paraphrasing) getting into the controversies related to the specific sects of Buddhism. First he introduces each Sutta, then he elaborates on them. Finally, in the notes at the end (which I skipped), he digs even further into them.

I had taken a few religious studies courses in college, forever ago, and so (theoretically) I had some basic familiarity with Buddhism. Reading this book refreshed what I knew (not much) but mostly taught me new things.

I thought the introduction, the history, was a decent read, and I thought the Sutta that are picked did a good job at capturing a worthwhile philosophy for life. Without getting too deep into it, the Sutta he picks are along the lines of understanding reality and seeking... I guess, "enlightenment?"

I put a question mark after enlightenment because I think that word could be construed, within the context of religion, as some supernatural thing, but it's really just about living a good life. To quote one brief section, a good person is one whom:

"... does not destroy life, does not take what is not freely given, does not engage in damaging sexual relations, does not speak falsely, and does not incite others to behave in such ways." If only everyone could aim for that! What a better world it would be.

And what is the reward for traveling this path? "Such a person is subject to well-being and ease for a long time." I think "ease" could sound like implying an easy life, but I think they just mean that if you know you did right, then you can at least take comfort in that.

By the way, the typical "reward" in religion is typically supernatural. As Buddhism is practice, not faith, stuff like the afterlife is only casually responded to in order to address the theists out there. That is Buddhists say that IF there is an after life, as the theists say, then leading a good life will surely get you there. But if there's not? Then being a good person leads [me] to "take care of myself here and now, well at ease, undisturbed, without hostility or ill will." So do good, and one way or the other it's worthwhile.

Anyway, I'm talking more about Buddhism, I suppose, than the book itself. I guess I would say I didn't really care for the book overall. The history had some good info but overall wasn't very interesting. The Sutta weren't as satisfying as I'd thought they might be, but there were bits that grabbed my attention and had me re-reading and taking notes.

So in the end I wouldn't say the book was awful, but from an educational/entertainment point of view, I'd have to say it was a little below average. I'd say the book was just OK.

[Siddhartha Dey · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the intricate web of interpretations and analyses of the several schools of Buddhism, each of whom claim themselves to be authentic, Wallis tries to extricate the sutras in their pristine form, so that the reader may find out their significances for himself. The chapters are arranged in form of a workbook encouraging the reader to place himself in the position of Siddhartha and to think and discover on his own, an art the Buddha relentlessly championed...
Read more of my take on this book and some other books on the Buddha here...

https://nextreads2018.com/2018/05/01/...

[Sean]

A scholar/believer's guide to core Buddhist teachings through a selection of 16 (out of 5000+) teachings attributed to the Buddha, copiously end-noted so as to provide additional key contexts and explanations. It's a manageable and satisfying introduction to Buddhist thought and practice that is sincere and earnest without being heavy-handed (though the author's impatience with anthropomorphic concepts of divinity is intermittently evident).

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a bit amazed that I hadn't previously know of this fine, short book. It could use a better title, but contains a fine, historical introduction, excellent translations of 16 (of over 5,000) key suttas, with a very helpful reading guide and notes for each.
Highly recommended-- an excellent dharma book to which I shall certainly return.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise

Easily one of the best books on Buddhism I have read. I almost feel as if I am having a conversation with the author. This is a book I will refer to often.

[Jason Comely · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book cherry-picks the suttas that best define Buddha's core teachings (a formidable task as there are thousands of them). A good starting point.