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62 EASTERN HORIZON | BOOK BRIEFS

BOOK REVIEW BY GARY GACH
BOOK S IN BRIEF BOOK REVIEW

Bhikkhu P.A. Payutto, The author provides an invaluable guide to
Translated and edited by understanding the core of the Buddha’s teachings
Bruce Evans. The Essential or Buddhadhamma – the Four Noble Truths in
Buddhadhamma. The the concluding chapter. As the author explained
Teachings and Practice in the text, the teaching of the noble truths not

of Theravada Buddhism. only encompass all of the teachings of Buddhism,
Shambhala: USA. 2024. pp both theoretical and practical, but also has many
outstanding benefits that are worthy of note.
835. Hardcover. US$39.95
These include the noble truths as a method based
www.wisdomexperience.org
on wisdom, method of solving problems in life,
containing truths that concern the lives of all people,
and being neutral truths that are contingent on life or
This is the condensed version, revised many times,
deal with life itself.
of Bhikkhu Payutto’s original publication in 1971.
It is widely considered to be among the most
As such, the contents of this Manual are arranged
significant scholarly works on Theravada Buddhism
into two sections (Book One: The Middle Teaching,
as found in the Pali Canon produced in the last
and Book Two: The Middle Way) based on the four
century. As Ajahn Amaro mentioned in his review,
noble truths as follows:
“for many centuries in the Southern Buddhist
world, Buddhaghosa’s Visuddhimagga was the go-
(1) Truth of Suffering: What is Life? - The Five
to text for a compendium of Buddhist teachings and
Aggregates and the Six Sense Bases, and What is
an exegesis of the Pali Canon. In the current age,
Life Like? – The Three Characteristics.
Ven P.A. Payutto’s magnificent and comprehensive
(2) Truth of Cause of Suffering: How Does Life
Buddhadhamma has begun to replace that
Work? – Dependent Origination, and the Law of
remarkable text, analyzing and explaining the
Causality
essential teachings of the Buddha and making them
(3) Truth of End of Suffering: How Should Life Be? –
accessible for a contemporary readership”.
Nibbana
(4) Truth of Way to End of Suffering: How Should
Credit should also go to Bruce Evans who ably
Life be Lived? The Wisdom Factors, Morality
translated and presented the core of Ven. Payutto’s
Factors, and Concentration Factors of the Middle
monumental scholarship. He has created an
Way
ideal manual for anyone walking or studying the
Theravada Buddhist path. Within this Manual
Ven. Payutto’s illuminating expertise shows
are discussions of unparalleled sophistication
Theravada Buddhism to be a thorough explication of
on such foundational Buddhist teachings as the
how reality unfolds according to natural processes—
five khandhas, dependent arising, kamma, the noble
as well as a way of life that can yield the highest form
eightfold path, spiritual friendship, wise attention,
of happiness. EH
the four noble truths, the nature of enlightenment,
and many more.