Buddhism in a Nutshell Ven. Narada, Thera
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Buddhism in a Nutshell by Narada Mahathera
Copyright © 1982 Buddhist Publication Society Buddhist Publication Society P.O. Box 61 54, Sangharaja Mawatha Kandy, Sri Lanka For free distribution only. You may print copies of this work for your personal use. You may re-format and redistribute this work for use on computers and computer networks, provided that you charge no fees for its distribution or use. Otherwise, all rights reserved. This edition was transcribed from the print edition in 1995 by Bradford Griffith under the auspices of the DharmaNet Dharma Book Transcription Project, with the kind permission of the Buddhist Publication Society.
Contents • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Preface Chapter I. The Buddha Chapter II. The Dhamma: Is it a Philosophy? Chapter III. Is it a Religion? Chapter IV. Is Buddhism an Ethical System? Chapter V. Some Salient Features of Buddhism Chapter VI. Kamma or the Law of Moral Causation Chapter VII. Re-birth Chapter VIII. Paticca Samuppada Chapter IX. Anatta or Soul-lessness Chapter X. Nibbana Chapter XI. The Path to Nibbana Appendix: • Concentration on Respiration (Anapana Sati) • Meditation on Loving-kindness (Metta) • Perfections (Parami)
Preface Buddhism in a Nutshell first appeared in 1933. Since then several editions were published by various philanthropic gentlemen for free distribution. For a fuller exposition of the subjects dealt with here, readers are kindly requested to read the revised and enlarged edition of The Buddha and His Teachings published in 1980. Permission may freely be obtained to reprint or to translate this book. Narada Vajirarama Colombo, Sri Lanka. 7th May 1982.
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma-Sambuddhassa
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Chapter I The Buddha On the fullmoon day of May, in the year 623 B.C., there was born in the district of Nepal an Indian Sakya Prince named Siddhattha Gotama, who was destined to be the greatest religious teacher in the world. Brought up in the lap of luxury, receiving an education befitting a prince, he married and had a son. His contemplative nature and boundless compassion did not permit him to enjoy the fleeting material pleasures of a Royal household. He knew no woe, but he felt a deep pity for sorrowing humanity. Amidst comfort and prosperity, he realized the universality of sorrow. The palace, with all its worldly amusements, was no longer a congenial place for the compassionate prince. The time was ripe for him to depart. Realizing the vanity of sensual enjoyments, in his twenty-ninth year, he renounced all worldly pleasures and donning the simple yellow garb of an ascetic, alone, penniless, wandered forth in search of Truth and Peace. It was an unprecedented historic renunciation; for he renounced not in his old age but in the prime of manhood, not in poverty but in plenty. As it was the belief in the ancient days that no deliverance could be gained unless one leads a life of strict asceticism, he strenuously practiced all forms of severe austerities. "Adding vigil after vigil, and penance after penance," he made a superhuman effort for six long years. His body was reduced to almost a skeleton. The more he tormented his body, the farther his goal receded from him. The painful, unsuccessful austerities which he strenuously practiced proved absolutely futile. He was now fully convinced, through personal experience, of the utter futility of self-mortification which weakened his body and resulted in lassitude of spirit. Benefiting by this invaluable exper