Under the Bodhi Tree: Buddha's Original Vision of Dependent Co-arising

The work in question is a succint primer on the essential ideas of Buddhism as interpreted in modern context, by someone who was situated within the religious tradition within a devout Buddhist country, for a broad, global audience willing to work to understand these ideas. The chapters are sourced from Buddhadasa's lectures and prefaced with relevant page- or pages-long excepts from the Buddha's teachings as preserved in the Pali Canon--effectively commentaries on these verses. There is also a Pali-English glossary in the appendices. This gives "Under the Bodhi Tree" significant value versus many other books on Buddhism churned out in English over the last few decades. (Buddhadasa's book can teach you more about 'mindfulness' in five pages than any corporate seminar, and point the way to its sources).It should be noted, however, that this book is not without its angle, though this is neither new nor unique to Buddhadasa, nor anyone who has ever written on Buddhism, nor does it decrease the value of the writing. What is argued for is Buddhist modernism, with all its references to scientific method, developments in Western psychology, critical conversation with theism, and the downplaying of the mystical, metaphysical, or otherwise super-natural elements. If this sounds agreeable and piques your interest in what could seem otherwise alien and medieval there is a reason for that. This is a particular 'school,' a kind of non-sectarian sectarianism, which emerged in the 19th century in a religiously competitive, colonized, industrializing landscape, and has endured to the 21st (for a survey of the full history see David McMahan's work). Again, this does not detract from Buddhadasa, but rather he is an exemplar of this position for a contemporary audience and can cite what he needs to make his case. The world of the Gotama Buddha was no less competitive in the 5th century or so before Christ than the world of the 19th century after, and many of the positions Buddha debated against and the debaters he faced are no longer with us. There is not only an opportunity but a need to explore the dharma in this new context--and it rightly starts with dependent origination.

Thank you so much for getting this precious book to me!! And for taking the time to put every effort and good thought in its delivery. I was so happy to see this book nicely wrapped with so much care, indicating the precious treasure that it is. Namo Budhaya!

Under the Bodhi Tree compiles eight retreat talks given by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu between 1988 and 1990 on the subject of paticcasamuppada, dependent co-arising. As is standard, these lectures begin with an overview of Buddhist theory. After that what is standard is up to interpretation.Born in 1906, Ajahn set out early to find what is true and original in Buddhist thought, going back to the sutras to study the words and contemplate them in meditation. What resulted was an unorthodox but "pure" reading of Buddha's ideas as he thought they were originally recorded and intended.Each lecture is prefaced by an excerpt from a sutra, which in themselves are rich. Ajahn Buddhadasa then gives his commentary to each. Chapter 14, Training Mindfulness through Mindfulness with Breathing, stood out IMHO to be the most sublime. Although it is not impossible to understand how someone could view Theravada Buddhism as dry and unpoetic, after reading this chapter there is no doubt that Ajahn's teaching on emptiness is alive with subtle and profound implications.Last year I read Heartwood of the Boddhi Tree which felt like a breath of fresh air. Theravada Buddhism is simple, direct and Buddhadasa Bhikkhu is extremely practical. His emphasis on the betterment of society dispels any doubt one might have about "compassion" within the Theravada school. Original in thinking and in teaching, Ajahn was truly a saint for our time.

Understandable examination of a difficult topic by one of the great 20th century monk/teachers.

"Under the Bodhi Tree" emphasizes the primary tenet of Buddhism which is Dependent Co-arising which states that everything comes from the theory of conditionality. This theory is central to the Buddha's experience and teachings with the idea that everything appears, changes, ceases to exist and is dependent upon other things that share the same essential nature. This view of ourselves and our world is more of a process than an entity that is crucial in understanding Buddhism albeit it a very difficult concept to comprehend and accept.

When one thinks of the entire cycle of Dependent Co-Arising occurring over and over in the same lifetime - instead of just once spanning three lifetimes - it makes far more sense and actually becomes usable. Since Dependent Co-Arising is the key to Buddhadharma, this book is absolutely invaluable.

Very clear discussion of one of the Buddha's essential contributions to Buddhist thought and a core component in understanding emptiness.

Still finding out how much I appreciate this book daily.

The subtitle of this book by Ajahn Buddhadāsa is "Buddha's original vision of dependent co-arising." The book starts off with a detailed background that provides an excellent context to the topics covered in the remainder of the book. The narrative is presented beautifully, and conveys the essence of weighty topics in a concise manner that's conducive to further study.That said, the content and detail in the book goes far beyond what the subtitle hints at, i.e., the topic of dependent co-arising. It engages the reader with several other topics that are key to understanding the intent and meaning of the Buddha's teachings with clarity and simplicity that I find readily approachable and to-the-point. As an example, pages 98-99 present the subtleties around the concept of anattā in just two paragraphs but in a way that seems obvious in retrospect. Reading the paragraphs, I think "this is exactly the way it should be explained, it can't be presented more clearly in any other way," but I haven't found other works explaining the concept in such a simple and clear manner.Every chapter, specially from a third of the way into the book, is full of piercing insights (often presented so casually that one may easily gloss over them) that in themselves can be powerful seeds of contemplation, or guidance for our practice. Even the chapters that one may tend to skim over, such as the one on dependent co-arising for children ("for children? this is bound to be trivial !") contains profound insights, e.g., in the sections on "how experience gets inside us", and "doing without a doer" from pages 70 through 74 that one can re-visit multiple times and glean new insights each time if approached with a fresh mind and without bias.Further into the book, there are clear and practical actions that we can undertake to refine our practice, during our contemplation or meditation or even while performing our day-to-day activities. Re-reading a passage can often lead to an "a-ha" moment of insight that clears away a little question or some confusion from the past.The book is clearly from someone who has been there and done that, several times over, and comes with that authority and experience that is undeniable. I went through the whole book in one sitting with a highlighter and a pen, and expect to revisit different sections periodically with practice.Edit: corrected grammar.

This book is handy for serious beginners. Bhikkhu Buddhadasa was a truly great scholar (compared to others), strongly influencing many of 'the few' to (inwardly) investigate Dependent Origination for what it truly is. This said, this book is based on old lectures and key elements of the analysis in this book fall short of the Sutta explanations, which today can be studied & cross-referenced more carefully with newly available Sutta internet research facilities. However, this book is handy for serious beginners; particularly those with a 'Guru' bent; offering a "head-start" into this topic.

Ich konnte Santikaro 1997 selbst in Suan Mokh als Lehrer erleben. Seine Art, die Weisheiten des Theravada-Buddhismus zu erklären, war überzeugend. Klar, verständlich, ohne Schnörkel. Das vorliegende Buch (leider nur in Englisch verfügbar) mit den Reden, bzw. Erklärungen des großen Gelehrten, Buddhadasa, spiegelt dies voll und ganz wieder. Für alle, die sich für das Grundsätzliche im Buddhismus interessieren, sehr zu empfehlen.

The book is excellent as expected BUT I only received one copy. I ordered TWO.When can I expect the second copy?thank youLynda [email protected]

No nonsense practice.