What the Critics Say

"In this masterful new commentary on the earliest Buddhist writings, Professor Wallis challenges us with sixteen propositions about human existence itself. Only in this way, he asserts, can modern readers appreciate the Buddha's analysis of the two trajectories facing human beings—toward pain or toward peace. Wallis offers fresh translations and a reader's guide to sixteen discourses that eloquently illustrate these choices and their implications for our time. All this is introduced by the author's learned reflection on the idiom, meaning, and historical evolution of the Dhamma, Buddha's deepest insights. Glenn Wallis brings wisdom and compassion to this work of scholarship. Everyone should read this book."  —Christopher Queen, Harvard University

"A valuable sourcebook with a good selection of the fundamental suttas enhanced by an eloquent introduction and comprehensive notes– altogether a very useful text."

 —Peter Matthiessen, author of The Snow Leopard and Nine-Headed Dragon River

"The Modern West made the Buddha one of its own teachers when the first translations of Pali texts became available in the nineteenth century. This inclusion in The Modern Library of Glenn Wallis' new and accessible translations of a few of the Buddha's lectures to his original students, along with Wallis' elegant guides to how to read these texts, continues this important strand of our cultural history and gives twentieth-first century readers a fresh chance to learn from this teacher to the Modern West."

—Charles Hallisey, Harvard University

Basic Teachings of the Buddha is "serious" Buddhism, both in its conception and its execution...In his introductory essay—itself worth the $15-dollar price tag—Wallis touches on the cross-cultural dimensions and sectarian nuances of modern Buddhism...Employing a clever framework, Wallis presents translations of texts representing core teachings of the Buddha that are common to all sects and traditions, and then shows us the way to an in-depth reading of each. Refraining from interpretation, Wallis leaves the reader to "refine the material with the grit of daily life." The result of Wallis's careful efforts is a short primer that is a must-have for serious students of Buddhism.  —Shambhala Sun