Being Dharma The Essence of the Buddha's Teachings

by Chah, Ajahn; Breiter, Paul; Kornfield, Jack

• ISBN13: 9781570628085
• ISBN10: 1570628084
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-10-09
• Publisher: Shambhala

Summary

Chah offers a thorough exploration of Theravadan Buddhism in a gentle, sometimes humorous, style that makes the reader feel as though he or she is being entertained by a story. He emphasizes the path to freedom from emotional and psychological suffering and provides insight into the fact that taking ourselves seriously causes unnecessary hardship. Ajahn Chah influenced a generation of Western teachers: Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg, Sylvia Boorstein, Joseph Goldstein, and many other Western Buddhist teachers were at one time his students. Anyone who has attended a retreat led by one of these teachers, or read one of their books, will be familiar with this master's name and reputation as one of the great Buddhist teachers of this century.

Author Biography

Ajahn Chah (1919–1992) was a beloved Thai Buddhist master whose teachings were refreshingly uncompromising in their clarity and certainty—the certainty of a meditator who has achieved deep understanding of the Buddha's teachings. He was an important influence and spiritual mentor for a generation of American Buddhist teachers.

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix
Jack Kornfield
Translator's Preface	xv
Acknowledgments	xxxi
Introduction	1	(14)
Hearing Dharma	15	(16)
Understanding Dharma	31	(32)
The Here and Now Dharma	31	(14)
The Trapper's Snare	45	(18)
Practicing Dharma	63	(88)
The Path to Peace	63	(10)
Morality Brings Happiness: A Talk Given on Songkran, the Traditional New Year	73	(13)
Meditation Practice	86	(32)
Lay Practice: Don't Let the Monkey Burn Down Your House	118	(15)
Monastic Life: Why Do People Ordain?	133	(7)
One Day Passes: A Talk to the Community of Nuns at Wat Pah Pong	140	(11)
Seeing Dharma	151	(26)
Kondanya Knows	151	(17)
Fumbling and Groping	168	(9)
Being Dharma	177	(20)
Beyond Cause and Effect	177	(6)
Nibbana Paccayo Hotu	183	(14)
Teaching Dharma	197	(20)
Glossary	217	(6)
About the Translator	223	(1)
Credits	224