Sayings of the Buddha: New Translations from the Pali Nikayas

Front Cover
Rupert Gethin
OUP Oxford, Oct 9, 2008 - Language Arts & Disciplines - 307 pages
As more and more westerners study and practice Buddhism, reliable modern translations of the Buddha's teachings are increasingly in demand. One of the main sources for knowledge of the Buddhadharma is the four Pali Nikayas or "collections" of his sayings. Written in Pali, an ancient Indian language closely related to Sanskrit, the Nikayas are among the oldest Buddhist texts and consist of more than one and a half million words. This new translation offers a selection of the Buddha's most important sayings, reflecting the full variety of material contained in the Nikayas: the central themes of the Buddha's teaching (his biography, philosophical discourse, instruction on morality, meditation, and the spiritual life) and the range of literary style (myth, dialogue, narrative, short sayings, verse). This edition is the most critically up-to-date and For anyone seeking a more direct encounter with the Buddha's words and teaching, this new translation will prove to be essential reading, rewarding scholars and practitioners alike.

About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

 

Contents

Abbreviations
xi
Introduction
xiii
Note on the Text and Translation
xliv
Select Bibliography
l
Note on the Pronunciation of Pali and Sanskrit
liii
The Ganges Basin at the Time of the Buddha
lv
SAYINGS OF THE BUDDHA
1
Explanatory Notes
271
Index
293
Copyright

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

About the author (2008)

RupertGethinReader in Buddhist Studies, University of Bristol.

Bibliographic information