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Interested in Purchasing Physical Nikaya Books

JoshuaJoshua Veteran
edited January 2011 in Buddhism Basics
I've seen a popular collection on Amazon of the first three Nikayas translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi here, are these any good?

Bhikkhu Bodhi also wrote a book called In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon, do you know if this is any good? Or is it a bit redundant if I purchase the above books?

And finally, the last two Niyakas don't seem to have complete translations. I can only find anthologies by Geoffrey Degraff (Thanissaro Bhikkhu) whose anthologies can also be found online at Access to Insight. I'd be better off just buying an eReader and download AtI on it, apparently. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Comments

  • JasonJason God Emperor Arrakis Moderator
    edited January 2011
    Maurice Walshe translated the Digha Nikaya. Bhikkhu Bodhi translated the Samyutta Nikaya, co-translated the Majjhima Nikaya with Bhikkhu Nanamoli and is working on finishing his translation of the Anguttara Nikaya. All but the last one can be currently purchased from Amazon.

    I suggest starting with the Majjhima Nikaya as far as Nikayas go. But In the Buddha's Words would also be a good starting point since it's an anthology and Bhikkhhu Bodhi does add some useful commentary.
  • VangelisVangelis
    edited January 2011
    I've seen a popular collection on Amazon of the first three Nikayas translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi here, are these any good?
    They are absolutely magnificent and remain the most contemporary translations to date. If you are interested in reading the Pali sutta translations, I couldn't recommend a better collection. I started off with the Majjhima Nikaya then went on to the Digha Nikaya and finally the Samyatta Nikaya. The Majjhima Nikaya I think is the best of the 3 and really brings out the majesty of the dhamma. The Digha Nikaya I found a little annoying because of judgements they make in the notes as to whether the story is literally true or not. I thought it would have been more prudent to leave that judgement to the reader. The Samyatta Nikaya is the only one completely translated by Bikkhu Bodhi and I found it a rather dry but technically accurate translation. I did have disagreements with some of the aspects of the translations but that will always be the case and you won't find a translation that you will completely agree with. For example, my biggest issue was the translation of deva as god. In the western society, that word carries too many accoutrements with it so it is better left as deva (as it is in some translations).

    The most complete collection, however, it the Pali Text Society's translations but for the whole set it will set you back a pretty penny - thousands of pounds. And as they were translated in the late nineteenth/early twentieth centuries, the language is rather stilted and outdated.

    Bhikkhu Bodhi also wrote a book called In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon, do you know if this is any good? Or is it a bit redundant if I purchase the above books?
    It is good and does provide some extra information but it may be redundant in the most part. Having said that, I have read this one too and it is a good read - I recommend it. In addition to the books you have mentioned, I would also recommend Great Disciples of the Buddha (http://www.amazon.com/Great-Disciples-Buddha-Their-Legacy/dp/0861713818/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1295166821&sr=8-1) as it talks about each of the disciples in turn and tells you of their history as far as it has been told in the Pali suttas to which it refers heavily. It is based on some free publications (I think Bodhi Leaf or something like that, I can't remember now) but it is good to read it altogether in one publication. A worthwhile read.

    And finally, the last two Niyakas don't seem to have complete translations. I can only find anthologies by Geoffrey Degraff (Thanissaro Bhikkhu) whose anthologies can also be found online at Access to Insight. I'd be better off just buying an eReader and download AtI on it, apparently. Any suggestions?

    Thanks
    As for the Anthology of the Anguttara Nikaya, it is also worth buying and reading until the full translation is available from Bhikkhu Bodhi. He has, however, been working on it on and off due to illness and it might not be complete before he moves on to his next lifetime.
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    I second that. I have Bikkhu Bhodi's Discourses...It's a brilliant book.
    At least to a Theravada Simpleton like me, it is. ;)
  • JoshuaJoshua Veteran
    Perfect. Thank you all! I will definitely buy them.
  • JoshuaJoshua Veteran
    So this link from DD, links me to a PDF of In The Buddha's Words, the book I was just speaking about being interested in buying in the OP. Is this the outline of the book, for real? I'd be getting the book to become more competent in the Tipitaka, I think I'd honestly favor this over the real deal.
  • ArahahahantArahahahant
    don't buy them just read them online :o
  • VincenziVincenzi Veteran
    what about the Pali Tripitaka untranslated and written in deva nagari?
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