audiobook Straight from the Heart: Buddhist Pith Instructions by From Ingramcontent in History

Review

2 of 8 people found the following review helpful. This is a headlineBy JSbecause I love it. If you want me to supply review; you need to be less demanding about how long my review is or else I"m not going to take the time or make the effort to reply.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Masterful Collection!By Will M.This collection of some of the finest wisdom of the Nalanda tradition is translated in the spirit of the purest form of the nonsectarian approach; looking to all sources of wisdom; especially directly reading the Indian texts; all with impartiality and respect. The translator; who has argued elsewhere for an other-emptiness approach; does not use the occasion of his translations as opportunities for hidden polemics of his own views. Instead; he fairly and in a masterful way translates these foundational texts of the tradition in a way that allows for a multiplicity of interpretation. Having myself studied in one of the Tibetan Buddhist systems which does not accept other-emptiness as the correct view; I appreciate greatly what Mr. Brunnholzl has done here and applaud his ability to separate his own interpretation of the meaning from the translation of the words of these illuminating wisdom texts. I know that this is often no easy task. In so doing; he has perhaps been more persuasive for his view than reading any of his polemics have been. He clearly has a mastery of the material at hand; and the extent of his learning as is evident in these translations does boggle; yet inspire; my mind.The author does an amazing job including texts from so many of the lineage masters of the Nalanda tradition; including its continuation on the Tibetan plateau. I have to admit greedily awaiting his translation of the entirety of the Mahāyānasaṃgraha; so I hope that comes soon! His translation of the Treatise on the Three Natures was on point to be sure; and his analysis in the introduction to that section reveals a great deal of the subtlety and literary sophistication of its author; Vasubandhu; that sometimes seems to be lost in translation. The selections from Kambala were amazing; and made me ashamed of my previously complete ignorance of this great master.This book is truly a wish-fulfilling gem offered to the world of English speakers. Buy it; read it often; and let the suffering of self-grasping dissolve into the wisdom of the dharmadhatu!24 of 24 people found the following review helpful. a beautiful collectionBy A. WalshBuddhism has a wonderful tradition of enlightened teachers writing a short poem to sum up their experience. In the Zen tradition the enlightenment poem might be 4 lines; but in the Tibetan tradition it's generally a few pages to elucidate more teaching.This amazing collection gathers 500 pages of these pith teachings from the Indian/Tibetan tradition; along with a bit of commentary; some explanation and copious notes. Reading it is a priceless experience. Thanks to Karl Brunnholzl for the work of bringing it to us.