The Buddha before Buddhism

WISDOM FROM THE EARLY TEACHINGSDon’t chase the past Or long for the future. The past is left behind; The future is not yet reached.For one who knows who has no agitationThere is no karmic accumulation.—from ‘The Discourse on Being Violent’ The Book of EightsGil Fronsdal’s The Buddha before Buddhism is an elegant translation of Buddhist poems from the Atthakavagga or The Book of Eights which is believed to be part of the Buddha’s first teachings. In this anthology reality is not divided into a conditioned worldly realm and an unconditioned transcendent realm far removed from ordinary human life which is a deviation from the usual Buddhist texts. Instead the teachings point to peace that can be found in this life in this world. This collection of 16 poems points to a direct and simple approach for attaining peace without requiring an adherence to any specific ideology. In contrast to later Buddhist teachings that are predicated on the belief in rebirth this book’s central theme is the joy that comes from recognizing and letting go of attachment to the illusory views that create suffering.Gil Fronsdal is co-teacher at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City California. He received his PhD. in religious studies from Stanford University. He has published a highly praised translation of the Dhammapada as well as two other books: The Issue at Hand and A Monastery Within.