The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya

By Maurice Walshe

Book Overview

This book offers a complete translation of the Digha Nikaya, the long discourses of the Buddha, one of the major collections of texts in the Pali Canon, the authorized scriptures of Theravada Buddhism. This collection--among the oldest records of the historical Buddha's original teachings, given in India two and a half thousand years ago--consists of thirty-four longer-length suttas, or discourses, distinguished as such from the middle-length and shorter suttas of the other collections.

These suttas reveal the gentleness, compassion, power, and penetrating wisdom of the Buddha. Included are teachings on mindfulness (Mahasatipatthana Sutta); on morality, concentration, and wisdom (Subha Sutta); on dependent origination (Mahanidrana Sutta); on the roots and causes of wrong views (Brahmajala Sutta); and a long description of the Buddha's last days and passing away (Mahaparinibbana Sutta); along with a wealth of practical advice and insight for all those travelling along the spiritual path.

Venerable Sumedho Thera writes in his foreword: " These suttas] are not meant to be 'sacred scriptures' that tell us what to believe. One should read them, listen to them, think about them, contemplate them, and investigate the present reality, the present experience, with them. Then, and only then, can one insightfully know the truth beyond words."

Introduced with a vivid account of the Buddha's life and times and a short survey of his teachings, The Long Discourses of the Buddha brings us closer in every way to the wise and compassionate presence of Gotama Buddha and his path of truth.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0861711033
• ISBN13: 9780861711031
• Release Date: June 1995
• Publisher: Wisdom Publications
• Length: 648 Pages
• Weight: 2.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 5.8" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

The Digha Nikaya

This book is a modern translation of the Long Length Discourses of the Buddha, a seminal collection of early Buddhist texts. The Digha is part of the scripture of the Theravada school of Buddhism. The Theravada school is is the oldest surviving form of Buddhism and is still practiced in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, and elsewhere. Together with other forms of Buddhism, Theravada has attracted a great deal of interest in the West, and this book will be invaluable in making its teachings accessible. This collection of discourses is considered canonical by all other schools of Buddhism. Subsequent understanding of the Buddha's teachings built upon it, even when they seemed to depart from it.The Digha is a collection of 34 discourses (suttas), originally written in Pali. The form of the teaching differs from that of later Buddhist teachings in that in the Digha, the Buddha is presented as a person wandering through India and teaching his disciples, followers of other sects, kings, princes, gods, and anyone who is open to listen. The teachings are difficult but the emphasis in this collection is on psychology more than metaphysics. The Buddha described his dhamma as designed to end suffering and to teach people how to be happy. That is the core of this volume.Many scholars believe that the Digha was written specifically to introduce the Buddha's teaching to lay followers. Most (but not all) the suttas in the collection involve discussions between the Buddha and various lay people or followers of other sects. The suttas in the collection include a great deal of mythology and story-telling. These factors, together with the content of the discourses, tend to show it was designed for a large audience, rather than only for close followers of the Buddha's teachings. They remain an outstanding source for those wanting to make a serious effort to study the Buddha.Many of the Suttas in the collection present important expositions of the Buddha's dhamma (teaching). The first sutta in the collection, translated here as "What the Teaching is Not" is basic but difficult. The reader coming to the Digha might want to begin with the second sutta, "The Fruits of the Homeless Life". This sutta is widely studied and is a beautiful exposition of the Buddha's teaching and its value.Sutta 15 of the collection, the "Great Discourse on the Origination" is the most detailed single discussion in the Pali Canon of the Buddha's fundamental and uncompromisingly difficult teaching on dependent origination -- impermanence, selflessness, and interconnectedness. Sutta 22, "The Greater Discourse on the Foundation of Mindfulness" is the basic meditation sutta which should be studied by those wishing to develop a meditation practice. Sutta 16, the longest sutta in the Pali Canon, tells the story of the Buddha's last days and of his passing. In it the Buddha exhorts his followers to "strive on with diligence" to achieve their goal of enlightenment. Sutta 31, the Sigala S

Very modern translation, some flaws

Digha Nikaya contains discourses are the longest when compared to other Nikayas of the Pali Canon. Hence, probably it's less authentic (word by word of the Buddha) than other shorter suttas or Vinaya (rules). There are 2 discourses that I like: One is discribe the death (paranirvana) of the Buddha - reveals the deepest compassion and encouragement from the Buddha; Another one is the Mahasatipatthana sutta - it discribe the "heart" of Buddhist meditation, the kind of meditation the Buddha practiced himself. I believe this is the most important sutta of in the Canon (for practice).I disagree about some of the writing about the origin of human in one sutta near the end. I don't believe everything I read, or heard. I think the Buddha encourages us to see things through experiences not mere beliefs. I think this translation is very readable yet not adding any flavors (ethics, believes...etc.). However, I have the feeling that the author could not conveyed all the deepest meanings in the Nikaya (maybe because he's just a scholar). Beside that, this is the best translation to English of this Nikaya up to date (compare with the Pali Text Society version).

Once you?ve read the basics, this one should be next

Maurice Walsh's work is amazing. He has taken several volumes from the Pali Canon, and by editing down the repetitions, (which you can reference back to if you so desire) condensed these important teachings into a very user-friendly book.Like Bhikkhu Bodhi's translation of The Middle Length Discourse of the Buddha, this book is probably not best for a beginner, but, once you have a little interest and background into the Buddha's teachings, this is a must have resource. If I could only have a few books on Buddhism/the Buddha's teachings, this would be one of them. The suttas, as the title informs, tend to be long, but they don't need to be read in one short sitting. You might find it helpful to read a few passages, contemplate them for a day or so and then return and read more. This way you can begin to apply them in your life. The Buddha didn't lay down a gospel to follow. He simply pointed A Way. We can read his words, try them in our life, and see if they are true though our direct experience. There is no need for `faith' or `belief' in the words, try them and see for yourself.This book starts off with a short background into the Buddha's life, the times in which he was alive, and his basic teachings. Each sutta, (Discourse) is summarized to give you an overview of the topic however, the majority of this enormous book consists of the Discourses of the Buddha.I hope you find great pleasure in reading what is arguably, the closest we can come to the actual words of the Buddha.

Utterly indispensible

Superlatives alone serve to describe this great achievement of scholarship, translation and dedication to fundamental Buddhism. Walshe was not only a master of languages but a practicing Buddhist -- and it certainly shows. This particular product of his knowledge and his faith is one of the most inspiring and elucidating volumes of Buddhist text available to the English-speaking reader.I will leave it to others to describe the wonderful prose into which Walshe turns the complexities of the Pali language, and the clarity with which he manages to capture in readable English the most arcane Buddhist concepts. I prefer instead to recommend this book because of my own favorite part: The dozens of witty, insightful notes and asides which Walshe buries throughout, waiting for the reader to stumble upon them and have them explode like intellectual land-mines, bursting with clarity, erudition -- and gentle humor.I find myself turning to this book all the time simply to consult its remarkable introduction and ample appendices. Walshe is consistently the most accurate and reliable source of basic information about tbe Buddha, Buddhism, the Pali language and Pali literature I have encountered. In my awe at his ability to teach, I can only assume that Walshe took as his model the Buddha himself. Deprived of the opportunity to have had first-hand contact as a student of either one, I content myself with the belief that Walshe's book represents the second-best chance to study at the feet of both.

glorious

Beautiful, inspiring, soothing and with a dash of humour, a spiritual testament of intense liberation.