The Spirit of the Buddha

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Martine Batchelor

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In this slim, enlightening volume, internationally recognized Buddhist teacher Martine Batchelor presents the basic tenets and teachings of the Buddha through a selection of essential texts from the Pali canon, the earliest Buddhist scriptures. Viewed by scholars as the actual substance of the historical teachings (and possibly even the words) of the Buddha, these texts are essential to an understanding of the Buddhist faith, and Batchelor illuminates them with her lucid analysis and interpretations. Both accessible to nonpractitioners and helpful to scholars, The Spirit of the Buddha touches upon key themes, including dharma, compassion, meditation, and peace, among others, creating a panoramic view of one of the world’s most widely practiced faiths that is deeply rooted in its most vital texts.

Martine Batchelor, a former Buddhist nun, studied Zen Buddhism under the guidance of Kusan Sunim and is the author of Let Go, Women in Korean Zen, Buddhism and Ecology, Principles of Zen, Meditation for Life, and The Path of Compassion: The Bodhisattva Precepts, a translation of the Chinese Brahma’s Net Sutra. She lives in France.

“The series of texts translated at the instigation of the International Sacred Literature Trust will make the world’s heritage of spiritual and ethical insights available to a much wider audience. I hope it will help to break down the barriers of suspicion and ignorance and encourage understanding and tolerance in this age of tension and conflict.”—His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

“I welcome the work of the International Sacred Literature Trust in making available to so many people books revealing the great teachings of love, compassion and universal responsibility—themes that underlie all the world’s great sacred traditions.”—His Holiness The Dalai Lama

“For readers of poetic and inspired literature, as well as for those interested in international understanding on the deepest level, it is hard to imagine a publishing venture more radical, more imaginative, more desirable or more exciting.”—Ted Hughes, former poet laureate

“Enlightening . . . The Spirit of the Buddha is a thoughtfully prepared summary of the life of an extraordinary man whose words exert tremendous influence still.”—Cynthia Pauwels, Metapsychology

“It [The Spirit of the Buddha] creates a majestic, panoramic view of Buddhism that is deeply rooted in its most vital texts. This is an absolute, fundamental read certainly for all Buddhists, I am sure it would also appeal to interested non-Buddhists.”—Dr Udayan Chakrabarti, The Middle Way: The Buddhist Society’s Quarterly Journal

"As well as making those teachings broadly accessible, Batchelor brings them up to date. . . . The Spirit of the Buddha offers entry into the Buddha Way for readers of all faiths, and a wide vista for Buddhist readers of all stripes."—Patrick McMahon, Inquiring Mind

“…..a slim, illuminative and scholastic book.”—Kate Harley, Spirit

ISBN: 9780300164077
Publication Date: July 27, 2010
Publishing Partner: International Sacred Literature Trust

192 pages, 5 1/2 x 8 1/4

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