The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching
by Thich Nhat Hanh
|
|
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching.
discuss this book
friend reviews (0)
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
lists with this book
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 406)
What should we think when on the one hand Buddhism tells us that life is suffering and on the other we are told to enjoy life's every moment? Loved around the world for his simple, straightforward explanations of Buddhism, Thich Nhat Hanh has finally turned his hand to the very core of Buddhism and conundrums such as this. In the traditional way, Thich Nhat Hanh takes up the core teachings one by one--the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, the Twelve Links of Interdependent Co-Arising-...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2005
I started to read this book for my meditation class at the community college, but it became more than an assignment for me. The beginning shook me up because of the reference to "allowing the Buddha to enter your heart"-- it sounded a little close to Christianity. But I took a chance and got past that first chapter. I really like the way the Venerable Monk teaches the basics of Buddhism in this volume. He doesn't stop at the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which can be expoun...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in May, 2008
Well, I'm not through yet, and since the book club I'm reading this for will continue discussing it, *technically* it should stay on the "currently reading" shelf. But that's using the word "reading" a little too cavalierly for my taste. While I've gotten some gems from as much as I've read so far, I just can't see myself ever sitting down with it again with the expectation of getting absorbed. I keep wanting to add a partridge in a pear tree to his "three wheels"...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in October, 2007
An absolute "must read" for newcomers to Buddhism as well as those who have practiced for many years. Thich Nhat Hanh breaks down some of the most basic concepts of Buddhism by way of analogies, stories, concrete examples, and comparisons, making the concepts accessible to anyone. He is respectful of other perspectives and sects of Buddhism and has written the book with complete awareness of the present day and Buddhism's relevance to it. I've been a Buddhist all my life and this one w...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
everyone
Although I have about a third of the book left to read. The first two-thirds were dense and thought provoking. For now I hope to incorporate the practices that Thich Naht Han introduces.
Thich Naht Han is able to relate the Buddha's teachings in ways that speak to our daily lives. I see how my family can benefit in concrete ways, by following "the middle path." Rather than something strictly historic or philosophical, Buddhism comes alive and relates to our daily lives in both the s...more
Thich Naht Han is able to relate the Buddha's teachings in ways that speak to our daily lives. I see how my family can benefit in concrete ways, by following "the middle path." Rather than something strictly historic or philosophical, Buddhism comes alive and relates to our daily lives in both the s...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
i am a zen buddhist. when i was reading this, i kept thinking that i didn't agree with everything he had to say -- he tends to sound righteous at times, even going as far as scolding the reader for certain practices. which seems very un-zen to me. mistakes are made, we live, and we learn from them.
be that as it may, this is a great introduction to the basic principles of zen buddhism, and hanh has a great gift for choosing the right words at the right time -- he is a master at practicing &qu...more
be that as it may, this is a great introduction to the basic principles of zen buddhism, and hanh has a great gift for choosing the right words at the right time -- he is a master at practicing &qu...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I actually have this in hard back, but could not locate it here on Goodreads.
Hanh writes with such compassion that I am forced to read as if his words are syrup on my pancakes. If you have suffered, or know any one who has suffered, this book by Hanh may bring you peace of heart. It certainly has done that for me. SWEET, and calmly profound.
Hanh writes with such compassion that I am forced to read as if his words are syrup on my pancakes. If you have suffered, or know any one who has suffered, this book by Hanh may bring you peace of heart. It certainly has done that for me. SWEET, and calmly profound.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
a lot of what I studied in college, only now I am interested in more than an academic curiosity. more accessible than some of the texts for Eastern Religion 301 (esp. the Penguin edition of Buddhist Scriptures). Hanh's simple yet expressive voice is an excellent vehicle for this beautiful philosophy.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I've read the Dalai Lama, and studied many other Buddhist writers. Thich Nhat Hanh is the best, hands down. His explanation of the principle of "interdependent co-arising" is the kind of stuff you want to paint in black on your bedroom walls, assuming your walls aren't already black that is.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in October, 2000
recommends it for:
seekers
This is the best introduction to Buddhism I have found. It explained many of the concepts in a way that I was not only able to grasp but that I was able to begin applying to my own life. If you have ever wondered about Buddhism this is a wonderful place to begin.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in September, 2003
recommends it for:
Everyone
The first Buddhist book I ever read. Thich Nhat Hanh is wonderful and elegant in his introductiry presentation of the Buddha's essential teachings. A great book for Buddhists, young and old, and for anyone interested in learning more about Buddhism
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2002
an extraordinary book, poetically written. absolutely life-changing for me. It's not 'kosher' for a Buddhist, or one who is attempting to live as one, to get to 'preachy,' so i'll leave the rest to anyone interested in this topic to check it out!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Very good introduction to Buddhism. I felt it was able to articulate some of the more religiousy aspects in a way that wasn't instantly off putting to me. Accessible but not twisting it into something New Agey, I guess, was how I felt.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
What a great guy Thay is,I love all his books, the world is a better place with him around, or maybe he just makes it feel like that ! Surely he must rank along side the greats Gandhi, Dalai Lama, Martin Luther King to name but a few.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2006
recommends it for:
People interested in learning more about Buddhism
Thich Nhat Hahn always does an awesome job of explaining the dharma. In this book he presents his own interpretation of Buddha's teaching in a really simple way. It's easy to understand, yet manages to be extremely interesting.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
This is an important summation of the essential teachings of the Buddha by a truly gifted teacher/scholar/monk. More than simply a translation, it is a transliteration which brings the Dharma to life for modern readers.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2008
If you're new to Buddhism, this book probably provides too much detail. It can become a little heavy about two-thirds of the way through. Start with something simpler and move up to this when you're ready for more.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Thich Nhat Hanh is an excellent writer. He organized this book very well. It is extremely readable and covers so many of the Buddha's teachings in a way that is easily understood. I highly recommend this book!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Thich Nhat Hanh presents the core teachings of Buddhism, but often with a twist. To be honest I don't remember a great deal about particular points he made, but I remember the book being very moving.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2008
Terrific introduction to Buddhism. Thich Naht Hanh makes some of the more confusing cornerstones of Buddhism accessible. For the reader curious about Buddhism, this book is a good place to start.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
book data (includes all editions)
avg rating (all editions): 4.39 (270 ratings) avg rating (this edition): 4.40 (253 ratings) number of reviews: 40popular shelves
other editions
quote
"The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don't wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy. "
more quotes »