The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation by Thich Nhat Hanh
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Book Reviews of The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation
Book Review: Buddhism easily understood, elegantly written book
Summary: 5 Stars
Of all the books I've read regarding Buddhism this by far is the best place to start. Thich Nhat Hanh is an accomplished writer with a unique ability to make what many appear to be complex subject matter easily understood, friendly, and approachable. Reading the first 50 pages or so brings the reader into a rich, non-threatening understanding of this wonderful way of thinking. Buddhism is non-sectarian, non-judgmental and simply elegant in it's basic premise...that life is about suffering and that if we deploy our own minds to fixing the problem, that we in fact can do just that. Unlike so many "religions", which Buddhism is NOT, it teaches us a kind and gentle way to operate in life. From the four Noble Truths to mindfulness, it shows a pathway to living a happy life, however you define that. The hard charging salesman, the gentle mother, the introspective person, the troubled couple, the recovering addict.....for all of these suffering is the same. And for anyone intent on changing their lives, to come face to face with the big problems of their lives, this book reminds the reader that the solution is simpler than you might think.
Buddhism evokes images of monks on fire in Vietnam, people wearing robes and sitting on a mountain top and all things in between. It's mystical in some ways, it's aura keeping many people away. But on first reading of this book it will speak directly to you. Remember back to when your grandparent, parent or good friend sat down and gave you great advice, that advice that made the tears stop and the resolve to set in, when you saw that your issue was fixable. This book is like that. The reminder of how simple honorable behavior, honesty, integrity and kindness can change you and change the world. Heavily dependent on your personal behavior and actions, it teaches you a path, Whether you take it or not is purely up to you.
The most ardent skeptic about Buddhism will be moved by this book. If you think Buddhism is a lot of bunk and that you can solve the problems of live on your own, think again. The path of happiness comes from all edges of the forest. This book will lead you to a clearing in your life. For a thinking person, a person with an open heart and an open mind, this book is truly tranformative. Read it aloud to yourself and to others. Everyone will benefit.
Steve Weibel
Book Review: A learned and loving book - full of heart
Summary: 5 Stars
This book explains what the Four Noble Truths are, the Noble Eightfold Path, and other basic buddhists teachings as they relate to your life. For instance, consider the Right Mindfulness: did you know that there are four miracles of Rigth Mindfulness? "The first miracle is to be present (...) in order to get in touch with the blue sky, a flower, or your son's smile.(...) The second miracle of Mindfulness is make the other - the flower, the sky, your son - also be present.(...) The third miracle is that Right Mindfulness nourishes the object of your attention.(...) To love another means to nourish him/her/it with attention.(...) The fourth miracle is that Right Mindfulness eases the suffering of others." Thich Nhat Hanh also explains that when the Right Mindfulness is present the Four Noble Truths and the other seven components of the Eightfold Path are also present. Makes sense!
The book is also good for non-buddhists. For example, people who have a superficial knowledge of Buddhism may say it is "negativistic", because the Buddha spoke of "suffering" (dukkha) as an intrinsic quality/experience/fact of this existence (is it not ?). But, as Thich explains, the Buddha also said that cessation of suffering is possible (niroddha)! So Buddha also acknowledged the existence of joy and happiness. So, to say that Buddhism preaches the "everything is suffering and there's nothing to be done", he says, directly contradicts Buddha's preaching! (And, this, of course, is nothing new to buddhists).
And so it goes. The Two Truths, the Three Qualities of Dharma, the Three Doors of Liberation, the Five Aggregates, etc. And 3 Suttas. All those teachings are explained as they interweave with each other and with life. If in doubt, do as the Buddha said: do not take any word for granted! - but analyse how those teachings apply to your life.
Thich Nhat Hahn wrote a book at the same time learned and simple, for the layman and the initiated, the buddhist and the non-buddhist. The Heart of Buddha's Teaching, no doubt.
Book Review: Like walking side by side with the Buddha
Summary: 5 Stars
I had read Steve Hagen's "Buddhism Plain and Simple" just before reading Thich Nhat Hanh's "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching" and found myself thinking that if Hagen's book was like a conversation with a friend, Thich Nhat Hanh's book was like receiving instruction from the Buddha himself. Thich Nhat Hanh's calm, sure intelligence and insight simply radiates from the pages of this book, as he makes the deeply profound teachings of the Buddha easily accessible. No small feat. Probably like many fellow readers of this book, I was raised as a Christian and still consider myself to be one; simply reading a book about another "-ism" was enough to get the guilt flowing at first. But very soon after starting into this book, I realized that the point of the Buddha's teaching was not about the creation of another belief system or religious dogma, but rather about universal issues such as gaining deeper insight, deeper fulfillment, and a release from the suffering that is not imposed on us from without but rather generated from within. Intuitive on the one hand, intellectual on the other, I found Thich Nhat Hanh's writing to be quite compelling. Simple, yet profoundly complex, the Buddha's teachings and Thich Nhat Hanh's book deserve to be read, regardless of your religious or spiritual leanings. Chances are, you will start this book realizing you did not know Buddhism as well as you thought you did (especially if you are a relative newcomer like me), and you will finish this book with new insights and perspective on the very fabric of being itself.
An excellent book, one that I can genuinely recommend without reservation. 5 stars.
Book Review: Excellent overview of how to apply Buddhist philosophy.
Summary: 5 Stars
Thich Nhat Hanh has written a book on Buddhist thought and practice that will appeal to those who want to gain practical insights from this great religion -- not necessarily a scholarly dissection. And that's the beauty of his work; he does not pick Buddhism apart as an intellectual ego-boosting exercise. Rather, he explains its essence, with clarity and some humor, and offers many sound suggestions for putting Buddhism to daily practice. Isn't this what Buddhism should really be? Moreover, he has such a knack for finding the appropriate metaphors to underscore key points. Example: When explaining the Buddhist principle of acceptance of the inevitability and necessity of suffering for realizing compassion, he likens this to visualizing the flowers that will some day emerge from the center of the compost pile. Hanh is humble in his approach. Never preachy, he doesn't want the reader to convert to any viewpoint -- only to find in Buddhism some tools for personal spiritual growth. I admire Hanh, a humble Buddhist monk in the Zen tradition. He took great personal risks in preaching peace and reconciliation at a time when his home nation of Vietnam and the United States were embroiled in bitter military conflict. He is not asking us to follow him, but to walk alongside him, and make our own discoveries. What a welcome change of pace from all those "sprirituality" books that push political agendas or become the basis of a commercialized enterprise. This one is genuine. Highly recommended for those of any faith. His other books are very worthwhile, too.
Book Review: A Guide To Beginner's Mind: Changed & Still Changes My Life
Summary: 5 Stars
As someone who'd been interested in Bhuddism for years, I picked this book out of a selection of book club discontinued sale items. After owning it for several years, I find it amazing that I found it as a cast off. This is the best primer for Bhuddism I've read.However, this book is not just for beginners. It's for anyone who wants to remain on their path and make a life of improving the world they create on that path. Suffering has an origion, but it also can have an end.
Thich Nhat Hahn introduces us to the Noble Eightfold Path & the concept of "mindfulness" which he considers an important cornerstone to the practice of making your life right. It's not easy, but it is highly rewarding & your life will improve through diligence with these teachings.
The book also contains an explanation of many other Bhuddist concepts which become more & more useful as the understanding sinks in. You'll find yourself returning to them in order to make the benefits of practice manifest themselves in your life.
Lastly, this book dispels many of the myths & misunderstandings of Bhuddism in the West such as our often mistaken take on Bhuddism's view of suffering; though it is often inevitable, suffering CAN be changed. Hahn explains how many errors came to be out of teachings about suffering & sets the right views before us.
If you've ever been interested in Bhuddism but can find no answers, or are a practicing Bhuddist who needs clarification without a teacher, this book is the one to have. I love it.