The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation

Thích explains mindfulness’ importance to Buddhist practice. What are some of the different forms of mindfulness? What are the strengths and limitations of mindfulness more generally?

In his work, Thích refers to Buddhist poetry that illustrates the Buddha’s teachings. Find a Buddhist poem and analyze which Buddhist lesson it relates to. What are some of the benefits of using literary forms to propagate philosophical teachings?

Compare and contrast the Buddhist belief of nonself with Western notions of individuality. How are these notions different from one another? Is there any way they could be reconciled? Explain your reasoning.

In your own words, explain the Buddhist teaching on interbeing and interdependence. What are some of the forms interbeing and interdependence can take in day-to-day life? What is the wider significance of each in effective Buddhist practice?

Thích explores the Six Paramitas. How are they interrelated? How do they illustrate some of the wider key ideas in Buddhism?

According to Thích, certain elements must be included in a teaching for it to be considered Buddhist. How do the issues of textual transmission, authority, and theological interpretation in Buddhism compare to similar issues faced in other religious traditions, such as Christianity and/or Islam?

The author repeatedly coaches the reader to incorporate Buddhist practices into their everyday life. Which forms of Buddhist teaching seem most practicable for the average person, and which forms might present challenges?

Some more recent commentators, such as Ronald Purser in his book McMindfulness: How Mindfulness Became the New Capitalist Spirituality (2019), have argued that Western society sometimes distorts Eastern spiritualties instead of truly understanding them and using them for their intended purposes. Compare the genuine Buddhist teachings offered by Thích to current popular conceptions of what “mindfulness” means in the West. In what ways does Western popular culture propagate true or false understandings of this concept? What are the wider implications?