Buddhist Life / Buddhist Path

Buddhism began with the Buddha, a towering figure, who lived some hundred generations ago, taught for forty-five years, developed a huge following of ascetics and householders, kings and paupers, and left behind a vast corpus of teachings: profound, comprehensive, and brilliantly coherent. He also left behind a culture of peace centered around the Sangha, a renunciate community that has endured continuously in accord with the Buddha’s ancient standards to this day.

The Buddha’s teachings begin with practical advice on ethical behavior, harmony, community and human values that constitute the Buddhist Life. Those dedicated individuals who are accomplished in peace, and who have had a glimpse of awakening, then continue with the higher trainings in virtue and wisdom that constitute the Buddhist Path to awakening.

This textbook, based on the earliest stratum of Buddhist texts, provides a holistic and proportionate account of the range of the Buddha’s Dhamma, interpreted for the modern student.

Bhikkhu Cintita is an American Buddhist scholar-monk. He is a former professor and research scientist in linguistics, cognitive science, and artificial intelligence. Since 2001 he has dedicated himself full time to Buddhist study and practice. He ordained in 2003 as a Soto Zen priest, then in 2009 as a Theravada monk in Myanmar. He currently resides in a monastery with 4 Burmese monks in rural Minnesota.