In the Buddha's Words - An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon

Sep 28, 2026

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An anthology of Buddha’s discourses drawn from the Pali Canon, edited and introduced by Bhikkhu Bodhi. The work presents foundational suttas as among the earliest written records of the Buddha’s teachings, preserving teachings transmitted through oral tradition and communal recitation. It emphasizes the breadth of topics, including renunciation and liberation, and highlights how these texts reflect shared heritage across Buddhist schools. The volume includes extensive supporting material such as notes, indexes, and source tables.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages255

Reading Time10 h 43 min

AccessFree to download

Contents

Foreword

Preface

Key to the Pronunciation of Pali

Detailed List of Contents

General Introduction

Notes

Table of Sources

Glossary

Bibliography

Index of Subjects

Index of Proper Names

Index of Similes

Index of Selected Pali Sutta Titles

Index of Pali Terms Discussed in the Notes

Tamed, he is supreme among those who tame; At peace , he is the sage among those who bring peace; Freed, he is the chief of those who set free; Delivered, he is the best of those who deliver. —Anguttara Nikaya 4:23 In the Buddha's Words An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon Edited and introduced by Bhikkhu Bodhi WISDOM PUBLICATIONS • BOSTON Wisdom Publications , Inc. 199 Elm Street Somerville MA 02144 USA [www.wisdompubs](www.wisdompubs .org)[ .org](www.wisdompubs .org) © 2005 Bhikkhu Bodhi All rights reserved. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced , stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Enquiries should be made to the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Tipitaka. Suttapitaka. English. Selections. In the Buddha's words : an anthology of discourses from the Pali canon / edited and introduced by Bhikkhu Bodhi.— 1st ed. [p. cm](p. cm). Includes bibliographical references and indexes. ISBN 0-86171-491-1 (pbk. : alk. paper) I. Bodhi, Bhikkhu. II. Title. BQ1192 .E53B63 2005 294. 3'823~dc22 2005018336 ISBN 0-86171-491-1 Second Printing 09 08 07 5 4 3 The publisher thanks AltaMira Press for kindly granting permission to include in this anthology selections from Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: An Anthology ofSuttas from the Anguttara Nikaya, translated and edited by Nyanaponika Thera and Bhikkhu Bodhi. Cover and interior design by Gopa&Ted2 , Inc. Set in DPalatino 10/13.75 pt. Frontispiece: Standing Buddha Shakyamuni. Pakistan , Gandhara , second century A.D. Height 250cm. Courtesy ofthe Miho Museum, Japan, [www.miho.jp](www.miho.jp) [Wisdom Publications](Wisdom Publications)' books are printed on acid-free paper and meet the guidelines for permanence and durability set by the Council of Library Resources. Printed in the United States of America. mf^» This book was produced with environmental mindfulness. We have elected to ^ W print this title on 50% PCW recycled paper. As a result, we have saved the following resources: 65 trees, 45 million BTUs of energy, 5,715 lbs. of greenhouse gases , 23,722 gallons of water, and 3,046 lbs. of solid waste. For more information, please visit our website, [www.wisdompubs. org](www.wisdompubs. org) CONTENTS Foreword Y[[ Preface }x List ofAbbreviations x iv Key to the Pronunciation of Pali xv Detailed List of Contents Xvii General Introduction \ I. The Human Condition YJ II. The Bringer ofLight 41 III. Approaching the Dhamma 79 IV. The Happiness Visible in This Present Life 105 V The Way to a Fortunate Rebirth 143 VI. Deepening One's Perspective on the World 181 VII. The Path to Liberation 221 VIII. Mastering the Mind 255 IX. Shining the Light of Wisdom 299 X. The Planes of Realization 371 Notes 425 Table of Sources 459 Glossary 459 Bibliography 471 Index of Subjects 473 Index of Proper Names 479 Index of Similes 48 \ Index of Selected Pali Sutta Titles 483 Index of Pali Terms Discussed in the Notes 485 FOREWORD More than two thousand five hundred years have kind teacher, Buddha Sakyamuni , taught in India. Hi all who wished to heed it, inviting them to listen, ref examine what he had to say. He addressed differen groups of people over a period of more than forty y After the Buddha's passing , a record of what he sai as an oral tradition. Those who heard the teachings v\ meet with others for communal recitations of what tr memorized. In due course , these recitations from m ten down , laying the basis for all subsequent Budd l Pali Canon is one of the earliest of these written rec complete early version that has survived intact. With the texts known as the Nikayas have the special val gle cohesive collection of the Buddha's teachings i: These teachings cover a wide range of topics ; they c renunciation and liberation, but also with the oro

FAQs

What are suttas in the Pali Canon described as in the book?

The book explains that the Buddha’s discourses preserved in the Pali Canon are called suttas, corresponding to the Sanskrit word sutras.

Why does the book treat the Pali suttas as historically significant?

It states that the Pali suttas stem from the earliest period of Buddhist literary history and are the closest available records of what the historical Buddha taught.

What kinds of topics does the anthology indicate the discourses cover?

The contents describe teachings covering a wide range of topics, including renunciation and liberation, alongside other related themes.

Sep 28, 2026

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