What the Buddha taught
by Walpola Rahula · first published 1959
85% recommend15% neutral
Why HN recommends it
A short, straightforward overview of Buddhist foundations from a Theravada perspective, based on the Pali canon. A good starting point for understanding the core teachings, suited to newcomers and curious readers.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Clarifies the fundamental principles of Buddhist doctrine by explicating the original Pali text of the Tipitaka.
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This is a great comment. I read folks I think are grounded in both contexts--modern and historical. Try "What the Buddha Taught" by Walpola Rahula for background.
on “Solo founders: how do you stay emotionally efficient?” ↗I can also recommend "What the Buddha Taught" by Walpola Rahula. It is from a Theravada perspective, but I think it is a good start to get to know the core of Buddhism based on the Pali cannon.
on “Life Is Made of Unfair Coin Flips” ↗…negotiations with “black swans” hidden in your conversations. Thinking Fast and Slow. (Recommended in other responses but I’d have to second this one. Incredible for reasoning about your own reasoning). What the Buddha Taught: (Walpola Rahula): a short intro to Buddhism. There are some really powerful ideas from this age old religion, that can definitely help you think about your own happiness and what material possessions…
on “Ask HN: Mind bending books to read and never be the same as before?” ↗Have you read Siddhartha by Herman Hesse? I really recommend that book. Follow that up with ""What the Buddha taught" by Rahula Walpola.
on “Ask HN: Books on Eastern religion, philosophy, history, literature?” ↗…it if I have something to say to particular someone, and spend maybe 10 minutes per month on it. I also started meditating. That also helped big time. I will highly recommend it. Books that helped- - What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula - Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana - Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright - Mastery by Gordon Leonard - Learning How to Learn (Coursera) - Mind Illuminated…
on “My lizard brain is no match for infinite scroll” ↗That makes sense. But, Buddhism is anti-faith. You are supposed to experiment and verify. Want to read a very short book? Try "What The Buddha Taught" by Walpola Rahula. No BS, carefully explained guide to Buddha's own teachings. If you limit yourself to Buddha's own teachings, there are little to no contradictions.
on “Ask HN: What do you wish you had done/known in your 30s?” ↗…tells a layman to do his ten-fold duties. One of them is keeping his wife happy, another one is about having friends, another one is about earning money and growing wealth. Please read Walpola Rahula's "What the Buddha Taught".
on “Buddhism has found a new institutional home in the West: the corporation” ↗…and "How Money Works" from DK Publishers. 8. Meditating from "The Mind Illuminated" and "Meditation in Plain English". 9. Differentiation from MIT Opencourseware course. 10. Buddha's teachings from "What the Buddha Taught" by Walpola Rahula.
on “Ask HN: Do you recall any book or course that made a topic finally click?” ↗…towards the goal of annihilation of self and I already knew Anatta (no-soul doctrine). I am getting to know it better, discover it more. "Annihilation of self" is not negative. You should must read "What the Buddha Taught" by Walpola Rahula if you are remotely interested in Buddhism. This book explains the Buddha's direct teachings only. The goal, to me, is to absolutely improve my human quality and faculties, so whatever…
on “Regrets of the Dying (2010)” ↗…Illuminated* by Culadasa et. al. 2. Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana Learning about Buddhism and Buddha's teachings have also made me an overall better human. I would recommend What The Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula. Remember that reaching peak focus is a trial-and-error experiment that lasts for months or years. Many habits that I have today- I found them through deliberate, vigilant trial and…
on “Ask HN: What methods do you use to focus and stay relaxed?” ↗…a good and fast learner, but, I have more experience with myself now, but I feel this happened from meditation. Meditation is hard. I always was interested in Buddhism (the non-spiritual kind. Read: What the Buddha Taught by W. Rahula [2]). And Buddha was a total no-BS guy. He asked people to experiment and if they didn't find the results alignigning with what he said, he said that he should not be listened to [3]. So,…
on “Ask HN: What exactly is a mindfulness meditation?” ↗For straight Buddhism in modern terms, What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula and Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness by Henepola Gunaratana are good.
on “The ages of distraction” ↗…supposed to get attached to this deep bliss feeling, but it validates my efforts. I read the first chapter a few months back, but did not really start following it until I started reading W. Rahula's What the Buddha Taught and Bhante Gunaratana's Mindfulness in Plain English. I am deeply attracted to the Theravada Buddhism philosophy. And there is no place of blind faith in it. So, my serious attempt to meditation started…
on “Ask HN: What book changed your life?” ↗"What the Buddha Taught" by Walpola Rahula is an extremely good book. It limits itself only to direct teachings of Buddha, and it explains the core concepts and teachings of Buddhism by explaining everything simply. The author…
on “Ask HN: What book changed your life?” ↗Read Walpola Rahula's "What the Buddha Taught". You will know how far deviated incense burning and bowing to pictures are from Buddha's teaching. Buddhism is a very rational philosophy. If you study Buddhism in the light of it being a protest against…
on “Buddhism has found a new institutional home in the West: the corporation” ↗