What the Buddha Taught Audiobook By Walpola Sri Rahula cover art

What the Buddha Taught

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What the Buddha Taught

By: Walpola Sri Rahula
Narrated by: Taradasa
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About this listen

Long regarded as one of the best introductions to Buddhism, What the Buddha Taught draws on the actual words spoken by the Buddha to give a lucid and accurate account of the fundamental principles of Buddhist doctrine. Richly supported by extracts from the ancient texts, Walpola Rahula gives clear and direct explanations of Buddhism's essential teachings including:

  • the Buddhist attitude of mind
  • the Four Noble Truths
  • The Noble Eightfold Path
  • meditation and mental development
  • what the Buddha taught and the world today.

What the Buddha Taught also features an illustrative selection of texts from the Suttas and the Dhammapada. The Venerable Dr Walpola Sri Rahula was a Buddhist monk and scholar. He received a traditional training and education in his native Sri Lanka before studying at the University of Calcutta and the Sorbonne. He held a chair at Northwestern University, Illinois, and was Vice-Chancellor of Vidyodaya University, Colombo. He was widely regarded as one of the most qualified and enlightened scholars of the Buddhist tradition with a deep knowledge of the original texts.

©1959 The Estate of Walpola Sri Rahula (P)2016 Dharma Audiobooks
Buddhism
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Critic reviews

"By far the best introduction to Buddhism available." (Professor R. F. Gombrich, Boden Professor of Sanskrit, University of Oxford)

What listeners say about What the Buddha Taught

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Very confusing

Not for a beginner to Buddhism because there is lots of repetition and weird talk in my opinion

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Enlightening

Best Book on Budhas teaching I have read complete and clear gives you a full understanding

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2 people found this helpful

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Broken up audible

Very frustrating to listen to, the addable is very broken up. Otherwise it would be good.

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Soul Balancing

I personally loved it and could not stop listening. I would recommend this book to friend or unmet friend alike.

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The Essence of Buddhist Philosophy

The author’s brilliant scholarship delivers the essential teachings of Buddhism - free from the myriadd layers of additions and distortions that developed because of preexisting local customs and cultures as Buddhism spread across Asia.

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Amazing

The narrator is amazing gives much details on Buddhas teachings and with such emotion

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Fantastic experience.

I had seen this book recommended on various forums but struggle to find time for reading. As I drive a lot the audio version fits perfectly.

Very well read by the narrator and a pleasure to listen too. I would recommend it to others looking for an introduction into Buddhism.

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    4 out of 5 stars

nteresting teachings, a bit repetitive,

The information presented as a near quote from the Buddha was good to hear.

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Essential for anyone interested in Buddhism

I read this book several years ago and it was so pleasurable to hear it read aloud by such a wonderful narrator. This book is essential for anyone who wishes to learn about the Buddha's teachings. Beautiful recording! Excellent narration.

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best treatment of buddhism I've found

to anyone wanting ro explore buddhism, I haven't found a better place to start. I've both read the book and now listened through audible. the audible version is very good.

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