The Spirit of the Buddha - Softcover

'The series of texts translated at the instigation of the International Sacred Literature Trust will make the world's heritage of spiritual and ethical insights available to a much wider audience. I hope it will help to break down the barriers of suspicion and ignorance and encourage understanding and tolerance in this age of tension and conflict.' --His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

'I welcome the work of the International Sacred Literature Trust in making available to so many people books revealing the great teachings of love, compassion and universal responsibility - themes that underlie all the world's great sacred traditions.' --His Holiness The Dalai Lama

'For readers of poetic and inspired literature, as well as for those interested in international understanding on the deepest level, it is hard to imagine a publishing venture more radical, more imaginative, more desirable or more exciting.' --Ted Hughes

In this slim, enlightening volume, internationally recognised Buddhist teacher Martine Batchelor presents the basic tenets and teachings of the Buddha through a selection of essential texts from the Pali canon, the earlies 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 are further illuminated through Batchelor's lucid analysis and interpretations. Accessible to non-practitioners and helpful to scholars, The Spirit of the Buddha touches upon key themes of Buddhism, including dharma, compassion, meditation, and peace, among others, creating a panoramic view of one of the world's most widely practised faiths that is stil deeply rooted in its most vital texts.