Pali Canon Recommendation for Christmas Gift?

A forum for beginners and members of other Buddhist traditions to ask questions about Theravāda (The Way of the Elders). Responses require moderator approval before they are visible in order to double-check alignment to Theravāda orthodoxy.
Post Reply
starphlo
Posts: 18
Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2011 11:21 pm

Pali Canon Recommendation for Christmas Gift?

Post by starphlo »

Could anyone make a recommendation on where to begin collecting the Pali Canon? There are so many translations, I am totally overwhelmed. I would like to order some for my son, who is interested in attending a monastery....he would also like to learn Pali, but does not know any at this time. I wonder if it would be better to try to obtain a translation with only English or one that has English and Pali...As you can tell, I am lost! I would appreciate any advise...
User avatar
mikenz66
Posts: 19941
Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2009 7:37 am
Location: Aotearoa, New Zealand

Re: Pali Canon Recommendation for Christmas Gift?

Post by mikenz66 »

Welcome starphlo,

I think that Bhikkhu Bodhi's sutta collection In the Buddha's Words is excellent, giving a good overview of a variety of suttas.

You can sample the first chapter here:
http://www.wisdompubs.org/pages/display ... yValue=104" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

:anjali:
Mike
User avatar
Khalil Bodhi
Posts: 2250
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 6:32 pm
Location: NYC
Contact:

Re: Pali Canon Recommendation for Christmas Gift?

Post by Khalil Bodhi »

I second Mike's recommendation although Great Disciples of the Buddha edited by Ven. Bodhi is also excellent and inspiring: http://www.amazon.com/Great-Disciples-B ... 0861711289
To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one's mind — this is the teaching of the Buddhas.
-Dhp. 183

The Stoic Buddhist: https://www.quora.com/q/dwxmcndlgmobmeu ... pOR2p0uAdH
My Practice Blog:
http://khalilbodhi.wordpress.com
Reductor
Posts: 1382
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2009 6:52 am
Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: Pali Canon Recommendation for Christmas Gift?

Post by Reductor »

Those are very good anthologies, but you may instead wish to purchase a single Nikaya of the pali canon. In which case I suggest the Majjhima Nikaya, published by Wisdom Publications, and edited by Bhikkhu Bodhi. Easily found on amazon.

It is thought that this Nikaya was compiled with the purpose of orientating new monastics in terms of doctrine, deportmemt and monastic culture. Things of importance to any young man who would wish to hang out in a monestary.
starphlo
Posts: 18
Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2011 11:21 pm

Re: Pali Canon Recommendation for Christmas Gift?

Post by starphlo »

Thanks so much. I will check those out. What about the Anguttara Nikaya? I've been reading some recommendations for that one to begin with.
User avatar
Aloka
Posts: 7797
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:51 pm

Re: Pali Canon Recommendation for Christmas Gift?

Post by Aloka »

What about the Anguttara Nikaya? I've been reading some recommendations for that one to begin with.
There's an Anguttara Nikaya Anthology you might like, selected and translated by Nyanaponika Thera and Bhikkhu Bodhi.
Last edited by Aloka on Tue Dec 13, 2011 11:19 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Vepacitta
Posts: 299
Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 3:58 pm
Location: Somewhere on the slopes of Mt. Meru

Re: Pali Canon Recommendation for Christmas Gift?

Post by Vepacitta »

My personal favourite is the Samyutta Nikaya, translated by Ven. Bodhi. For some reason it speaks to me the most out of all the other Nikayas.

V.
I'm your friendly, neighbourhood Asura
hermitwin
Posts: 231
Joined: Fri Feb 25, 2011 11:35 pm

Re: Pali Canon Recommendation for Christmas Gift?

Post by hermitwin »

You can download it for free at access to insight.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I wish your son all the best in his quest.
Its wonderful to see someone seeking the dhamma
in this materialistic world. Cheers.
BKh
Posts: 750
Joined: Mon May 30, 2011 12:43 am

Re: Pali Canon Recommendation for Christmas Gift?

Post by BKh »

On this page:
http://readingfaithfully.wordpress.com/ ... talibrary/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

there is a PDF you can download with a bibliography for building a solid English sutta library. The selection puts a priority on accuracy, readability, and availability. Those texts marked with a star are recommended to start with. As you will see, they include the two sutta books already recommended on this thread. You will see other pages on that site that go into more detail about good books to start with.

One of the purposes of this PDF is for people like the OP who want to get the books but may not have a sense of where to begin. If it is helpful or you have suggestions for improvements that would be welcome.

As far as Pali language texts, most are now available for free on the Kindle. And there are other resources on the computer to get the texts so having the Pali print books is not so urgent.
| One sutta per day to your inbox | ReadingFaithfully.org Support for reading the Suttas | Citation lookup helper | Instant sutta name lookup | Instant PED lookup | Instant DPPN lookup |
Post Reply