The discourses, which are talks that the Buddha gave, were chanted for over a hundred years after the passing of the Buddha and were eventually written down. They were written in the same form as the chants, which offer many repetitions, which like any song/chant, makes it easier to remember.
I would not suggest this to be the first book on Buddhism or the Buddha's teachings for most people unless you are a scholarly type. There are numerous wonderful books available that would benefit most people before delving into such a comprehensive book. That being said, once you have done some reading and want to explore the teachings of the Buddha in more depth, this is the perfect book. For me, I feel this is as close to the original teachings of the Buddha as we can get, now some 2,500+ years later.
I find myself returning to this book often. Reading a discourse, and then contemplating and seeing how it applies in my life, brings much happiness and joy.
In my own journey into the discovery of Buddhist teachings, it became a powerful raft. It has indeed made a significant difference to my deep understanding of Buddhism.
This is a one that anyone interested in Buddhism must read with out fail!Bible One of the books of the Tipitaka, the buddhist bible. If you would like to know the basis of buddhism, this book from which this translation is derived is part of the THE original source of a religion or philosophy or way of life that struck a cord with millions of people for the past 2500 years up to now and probably into the future. You will begin to understand what buddhism is and what it is not. Why hear 2nd hand accounts when you can read the real thing, albeit a translation. The introduction sections before delving into the text itself provide ample academic background into the buddhist world and background. The introduction alone constitute a good reason to read this book.
