The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation
by Thich Nhat Hanh
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Book Reviews of The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation
Book Review: One atheist's opinion
Summary: 5 Stars
My approach to this book is different than the other reviewers. I am not a man of faith. I do not believe in the existence of God and I believe the whole issue is unimportant. More important than the existence of God (which is a question neither side can settle) is the question of how to live our lives now. I came to this book as I always come to religious writings and practices; will this help me to understand others or myself better? Will this teach me to be more loving, to live more mindfully, with more compassion?From this point of view, this is a wonderful book. Not because it answers all questions (or any questions for that matter). If anything it creates more ambiguities, it raises more challenges. That is a good thing. Many of the other reviewers seem to react to Thich Nhat Hahn based on whether or not his is the True Buddhism or just one man's opinion. Fair enough. But unless you are so fortunate as to have some sort of satori or God decides to drop in for a chat what else do you ever have but one person's opinion? It seems to me that what we all do is find something that seems to make sense to you, a practice that carries you along your path and you practice. Thich Nhat Hahn will help most readers to do this. This is a man of extraordinary faith who is apparently equally diligent in trying to live his faith. I do not know about the other readers but this man is a wonderful and unnerving challenge to me in my ideas on how to live my life.
Throughout the book the author suggests very simple practices to improve mindfulness and diligence. He calls us back to the breath always. In my experience, whether doing yoga, tai chi, chi-kung, kung fu, meditation or just plain living this is always the beginnings of real practice.
The presentation of Buddhists dogma that the other reviewers find so wonderful or controversial is, I believe, very well done and is as clear as could be hoped. It is also very arcane. I was not aware that there were Twelve Levels of Independent Co-Arising, Seven Factors of Awakening, Six Paramitas, Five Powers, Four Immeasurable Minds, Three Bodies of Buddha, Two Truths and, yes, a Partridge in a Pear Tree. Sorry, I could not help myself. My point is that a lot of this part of the book is probably most useful after having been read, lived and read again. For someone looking for a true introduction, this part of the book will seem a little much. Parts of it seem a little PC as well such as the occasional emphasis on sex abuse. I cannot imagine that was a burning issue back in the days of the Buddha. This is not a problem for me- it just shows that the author's religion is a living one.
Wonderfully though, what also comes through, is the author's spirit- that of a gentle, compassionate and strong person. I have not read any of his other books. After this I will read more. I have already found some of the practices helpful and will continue to try to integrate them into my life. Give this book a chance. I do not think it will answer all of your questions. How nice would that be if we could get that from a book? It will give you a deeper understanding of Buddhist's beliefs and practices. Some of the practices suggested may help you to live your life. What more could you hope for?
Book Review: Buddhism easily understood, elegantly written book
Summary: 5 Stars
Of all the books I've read regarding Buddhism this by far is the best place to start. Thich Nhat Hanh is an accomplished writer with a unique ability to make what many appear to be complex subject matter easily understood, friendly, and approachable. Reading the first 50 pages or so brings the reader into a rich, non-threatening understanding of this wonderful way of thinking. Buddhism is non-sectarian, non-judgmental and simply elegant in it's basic premise...that life is about suffering and that if we deploy our own minds to fixing the problem, that we in fact can do just that. Unlike so many "religions", which Buddhism is NOT, it teaches us a kind and gentle way to operate in life. From the four Noble Truths to mindfulness, it shows a pathway to living a happy life, however you define that. The hard charging salesman, the gentle mother, the introspective person, the troubled couple, the recovering addict.....for all of these suffering is the same. And for anyone intent on changing their lives, to come face to face with the big problems of their lives, this book reminds the reader that the solution is simpler than you might think.
Buddhism evokes images of monks on fire in Vietnam, people wearing robes and sitting on a mountain top and all things in between. It's mystical in some ways, it's aura keeping many people away. But on first reading of this book it will speak directly to you. Remember back to when your grandparent, parent or good friend sat down and gave you great advice, that advice that made the tears stop and the resolve to set in, when you saw that your issue was fixable. This book is like that. The reminder of how simple honorable behavior, honesty, integrity and kindness can change you and change the world. Heavily dependent on your personal behavior and actions, it teaches you a path, Whether you take it or not is purely up to you.
The most ardent skeptic about Buddhism will be moved by this book. If you think Buddhism is a lot of bunk and that you can solve the problems of live on your own, think again. The path of happiness comes from all edges of the forest. This book will lead you to a clearing in your life. For a thinking person, a person with an open heart and an open mind, this book is truly tranformative. Read it aloud to yourself and to others. Everyone will benefit.
Steve Weibel
Book Review: A learned and loving book - full of heart
Summary: 5 Stars
This book explains what the Four Noble Truths are, the Noble Eightfold Path, and other basic buddhists teachings as they relate to your life. For instance, consider the Right Mindfulness: did you know that there are four miracles of Rigth Mindfulness? "The first miracle is to be present (...) in order to get in touch with the blue sky, a flower, or your son's smile.(...) The second miracle of Mindfulness is make the other - the flower, the sky, your son - also be present.(...) The third miracle is that Right Mindfulness nourishes the object of your attention.(...) To love another means to nourish him/her/it with attention.(...) The fourth miracle is that Right Mindfulness eases the suffering of others." Thich Nhat Hanh also explains that when the Right Mindfulness is present the Four Noble Truths and the other seven components of the Eightfold Path are also present. Makes sense!
The book is also good for non-buddhists. For example, people who have a superficial knowledge of Buddhism may say it is "negativistic", because the Buddha spoke of "suffering" (dukkha) as an intrinsic quality/experience/fact of this existence (is it not ?). But, as Thich explains, the Buddha also said that cessation of suffering is possible (niroddha)! So Buddha also acknowledged the existence of joy and happiness. So, to say that Buddhism preaches the "everything is suffering and there's nothing to be done", he says, directly contradicts Buddha's preaching! (And, this, of course, is nothing new to buddhists).
And so it goes. The Two Truths, the Three Qualities of Dharma, the Three Doors of Liberation, the Five Aggregates, etc. And 3 Suttas. All those teachings are explained as they interweave with each other and with life. If in doubt, do as the Buddha said: do not take any word for granted! - but analyse how those teachings apply to your life.
Thich Nhat Hahn wrote a book at the same time learned and simple, for the layman and the initiated, the buddhist and the non-buddhist. The Heart of Buddha's Teaching, no doubt.
Book Review: Like walking side by side with the Buddha
Summary: 5 Stars
I had read Steve Hagen's "Buddhism Plain and Simple" just before reading Thich Nhat Hanh's "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching" and found myself thinking that if Hagen's book was like a conversation with a friend, Thich Nhat Hanh's book was like receiving instruction from the Buddha himself. Thich Nhat Hanh's calm, sure intelligence and insight simply radiates from the pages of this book, as he makes the deeply profound teachings of the Buddha easily accessible. No small feat. Probably like many fellow readers of this book, I was raised as a Christian and still consider myself to be one; simply reading a book about another "-ism" was enough to get the guilt flowing at first. But very soon after starting into this book, I realized that the point of the Buddha's teaching was not about the creation of another belief system or religious dogma, but rather about universal issues such as gaining deeper insight, deeper fulfillment, and a release from the suffering that is not imposed on us from without but rather generated from within. Intuitive on the one hand, intellectual on the other, I found Thich Nhat Hanh's writing to be quite compelling. Simple, yet profoundly complex, the Buddha's teachings and Thich Nhat Hanh's book deserve to be read, regardless of your religious or spiritual leanings. Chances are, you will start this book realizing you did not know Buddhism as well as you thought you did (especially if you are a relative newcomer like me), and you will finish this book with new insights and perspective on the very fabric of being itself.
An excellent book, one that I can genuinely recommend without reservation. 5 stars.
Book Review: A Good Second Level or Buddhism 102
Summary: 3 Stars
This is a good book - I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars - and 3 and a half is not available - as I write this I'm still not sure if it's getting 3 or 4 stars.Before I bought this book I (like you) wanted to read the reviews of others who have read the book. Trinity's review for some reason caught my attention and kept popping into my head as I read the book. Really just one theme - "Buddhism For A Generation Weaned On Mr. Rogers" specifically Trinity's view of the language.
There were times where the language was too flowery. I know I'm reading about and am in the space of Buddhism and that this type of criticism goes against my preconceived notions of Buddhism, but it just bugged me here or there and I got distracted.
My Wondering Monkey Brain aside I thought this book was a good next step. A good exploration into Buddhism that goes beyond the introductory level. That's what I was looking for - a next step onto the eightfold path or Buddhism 102.
There are some very good things in this book. Very good detail into other avenues of Buddhism that I was not aware of. See the table of content. Part 1 and 2 I found excellent and familiar. Parts 3 and 4 were new and hard to follow, but all in all contained very good detail and specific areas and information.
Again - this is a good 2nd step. If you're looking for a little more than you're used to or a little more in-depth view into Buddhism this is a good book.
Good - not great. I'm still torn between giving a 3 or 4 star rating. Reluctantly I'm giving it a 3.
Thich Nhat Hanh sounds like a fantastic man and you could feel his goodness and love coming through each chapter.