zThe Spirit of the Buddha

Martine Batchelor

Narrator to be announced

Book published by Yale University Press

In this slim, enlightening volume, internationally recognized Buddhist teacher Martine Batchelor presents the basic tenets and teachings of the Buddha through a selection of essential texts from the Pali canon, the earliest Buddhist scriptures. Viewed by scholars as the actual substance of the historical teachings (and possibly even the words) of the Buddha, these texts are essential to an understanding of the Buddhist faith, and Batchelor illuminates them with her lucid analysis and interpretations. Both accessible to nonpractitioners and helpful to scholars, The Spirit of the Buddha touches upon key themes, including dharma, compassion, meditation, and peace, among others, creating a panoramic view of one of the world’s most widely practiced faiths that is deeply rooted in its most vital texts.

Martine Batchelor , a former Buddhist nun, studied Zen Buddhism under the guidance of Kusan Sunim and is the author of Let Go, Women in Korean Zen, Buddhism and Ecology, Principles of Zen, Meditation for Life, and The Path of Compassion: The Bodhisattva Precepts, a translation of the Chinese Brahma’s Net Sutra.

REVIEWS:

“Enlightening ... The Spirit of the Buddha is a thoughtfully prepared summary of the life of an extraordinary man whose words exert tremendous influence still.”

—Cynthia Pauwels, Metapsychology

“The Spirit of the Buddha creates a majestic, panoramic view of Buddhism that is deeply rooted in its most vital texts. This is an absolute, fundamental read certainly for all Buddhists, I am sure it would also appeal to interested non-Buddhists. ”

—Dr Udayan Chakrabarti, The Middle Way: The Buddhist Society‚Äôs Quarterly Journal

“As well as making those teachings broadly accessible, Batchelor brings them up to date.... The Spirit of the Buddha offers entry into the Buddha Way for readers of all faiths, and a wide vista for Buddhist readers of all stripes.”

—Patrick McMahon, Inquiring Mind