What the Buddha Taught

What the Buddha Taught is a 1959 book by Sri Lankan author Walpola Rahula, also known as Walpola Rahula Thero. A Buddhist monk and professor of history and religions, Rahula’s book clarifies the Buddha’s beliefs and teachings, often refuting common myths and misconceptions about the Buddha and Buddhism. Written in English, Rahula offers Western audiences an accessible, basic introduction to Buddhism. What the Buddha Taught is widely considered a classic book on Buddhism for people exploring the religion for the first time, as well as Buddhists who wish to revisit the Buddha’s original teachings.

This guide refers to the Kindle edition.

Summary

In the preface, Rahula explains that his book will focus on communicating the Buddha’s actual teachings as recorded in the Pali texts of the Tipitaka. To accurately communicate the Buddha’s beliefs, Rahula will try to translate the Buddha’s phrasing into English rather than paraphrasing it. The author shares that he will cover the main tenets of Buddhism—The Eightfold Path, The Four Noble Truths, The Five Aggregates, Karma, and Rebirth. In the next passage, “The Buddha,” Rahula provides a brief biography of the Buddha, tracing his upbringing as a prince to his exploration of asceticism and eventual enlightenment and preaching.

In Chapter 1, “The Buddhist Attitude of Mind,” the author discusses Buddhism’s tolerance for other faiths, respect for doubt and questions, and interest in living life according to specific principles rather than solving every metaphysical mystery. In Chapter 2, the author begins his explanation of Buddha’s Four Noble Truths, beginning with Dukkha. This truth, which is often translated into “suffering” in English, refers to the pain, impermanence, and imperfection inherent in life. However, Rahula emphasizes that the Buddha recognized the joyful aspects of life and that Buddhism is not a pessimistic religion; indeed, being joyful is part of the path to enlightenment.

In Chapter 3, Rahula turns his attention to the second Noble Truth: Samudaya, or the beginning of Dukkha. He contends that Dukkha arises from selfish desires or becoming attached to things, from material things to relationships, or even ideas and opinions. Simply existing makes Samudaya inevitable, but everyone has the power to stop it. In Chapter 4, Rahula explores how people can stop the cycle of Dukkha with the third Noble Truth: Nirodha.

The Buddha taught that to end Dukkha and experience Nirvāṇa, people must eliminate their selfish desires, ending the cycle of Dukkha and the illusion of the self. Anyone can realize Nirvāṇa through patient training.

Finally, in Chapter 5 Rahula explains the fourth and final Noble Truth: Magga, or the path.

Buddha believed that everyone should follow “The Middle Path” of moderation, resisting the opposing extremes of asceticism and selfish indulgence. The path includes eight equally important categories: right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. These categories form the three Buddhist areas of discipline: ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom.

In Chapter 6, Rahula explains Buddha’s “Doctrine of No-Soul.” Rahula emphasizes Buddhism’s unique perspective, which teaches that the concept of the self or the soul is a false mental construct that promotes selfish desire. To realize Nirvāṇa, people must recognize that what they consider their self is merely mental and physical aggregates temporarily working together.

In Chapter 7, the author addresses the Buddhist tradition of meditation. He refutes the idea that meditation is something separate from life that requires particular tools or locations. Instead, Buddhist meditation means being mindful and present while experiencing daily life. This presentness is not about becoming more self-conscious, but rather losing oneself in the moment and the present action, and not becoming distracted by thoughts of the past or future.

In Chapter 8, Rahula explains that Buddhism’s core philosophy and practices are accessible to people from all walks of life. To practice Buddhism, people simply need to commit to Buddhist values—not stealing, not destroying life, not committing adultery, and not lying. Rahula explains the Buddha’s social and political teachings, emphasizing his practical approach to ensuring societal health and happiness and his belief that nation-states and individuals should practice non-violence, fairness, and compassion.