« Previous | Table of Content | Next »

About the Author

Bhikkhu Bodhi is a Buddhist monk of American nationality, born in New York City in 1944. After completing a doctorate in philosophy at the Claremont Graduate School, he came to Sri Lanka for the purpose of entering the Sangha. He received novice ordination in 1972 and higher ordination in 1973, both under the eminent scholar-monk, Ven. Balangoda Ananda Maitreya, with whom he studied Pali and Dhamma. He is the author of several works on Theravada Buddhism, including four translations of major Pali suttas along with their commentaries. Since 1984 he has been the Editor for the Buddhist Publication Society, and since 1988 its President.

Recommended Readings

I. General treatments of the Noble Eightfold Path:

Ledi Sayadaw. The Noble Eightfold Path and Its Factors Explained. (Wheel 245/247).

Nyanatiloka Thera. The Word of the Buddha. (BPS 14th ed., 1968).

Piyadassi Thera. The Buddha's Ancient Path. (BPS 3rd ed., 1979).

II. Right View:

Nanamoli, Bhikkhu. The Discourse on Right View. (Wheel 377/379).

Nyanatiloka Thera. Karma and Rebirth. (Wheel 9).

Story, Francis. The Four Noble Truths. (Wheel 34/35).

Wijesekera, O.H. de A. The Three Signata. (Wheel 20).

III. Right Intentions:

Nanamoli Thera. The Practice of Lovingkindness. (Wheel 7).

Nyanaponika Thera. The Four Sublime States. (Wheel 6).

Prince, T. Renunciation. (Bodhi Leaf B 36).

IV. Right Speech, Right Action, & Right Livelihood:

Bodhi, Bhikkhu. Going for Refuge and Taking the Precepts. (Wheel 282/284).

Narada Thera. Everyman's Ethics. (Wheel 14).

Vajirananavarorasa. The Five Precepts and the Five Ennoblers. (Bangkok: Mahamakuta, 1975).

V. Right Effort:

Nyanaponika Thera. The Five Mental Hindrances and Their Conquest. (Wheel 26).

Piyadassi Thera. The Seven Factors of Enlightenment. (Wheel 1).

Soma Thera. The Removal of Distracting Thoughts.(Wheel 21).

VI. Right Mindfulness:

Nyanaponika Thera. The Heart of Buddhist Meditation.(London: Rider, 1962; BPS, 1992).

Nyanaponika Thera. The Power of Mindfulness. (Wheel 121/122).

Nyanasatta Thera. The Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipatthana Sutta). (Wheel 19).

Soma Thera. The Way of Mindfulness. (BPS, 3rd ed., 1967).

VII. Right Concentration & The Development of Wisdom:

Buddhaghosa, Bhadantacariya. The Path of Purification(Visuddhimagga). Translated by Bhikkhu Nanamoli, 4th ed. (BPS, 1979).

Khantipalo, Bhikkhu. Calm and Insight. (London: Curzon, 1980).

Ledi Sayadaw. A Manual of Insight. (Wheel 31/32).

Nyanatiloka Thera. The Buddha's Path to Deliverance. (BPS, 1982).

Sole-Leris, Amadeo. Tranquillity and Insight. (London: Rider, 1986; BPS 1992).

Vajiranana, Paravahera. Buddhist Meditation in Theory and Practice. 2nd ed. (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Buddhist Missionary Society, 1975).