Buddha, The Word – Paul Carus

BUDDHA, THE WORD
(The Eightfold Path) By “Paul Carus“ – (1852 – 1919)

In his Buddha, The Word, Paul Carus (1852-1919) compiled some of the fundamental teachings of the Buddhist Canon. The selection here, “The Four Noble Truths” is briefly abridged and composes an excellent introduction to Buddhist thought. At the World Parliament of Religions in 1893, Carus became deeply influenced by Eastern philosophies and published a number of works seeking to bridge Western and Eastern thought.

“A Little About the book…”
After his enlightenment, Buddha elucidated the “Four Noble Truths” in his first instruction to his disciples; briefly stated, these truths explain how: (1) all who live suffer, (2) suffering is a result of self, (3) suffering can be avoided, and (4) suffering can be extinguished by the “Eightfold Path.” The reading selection after this one continues Carus’ compilation of Buddha’s teaching with the “Eightfold Path.”

From the reading…
“Inconceivable is the beginning of this Samsara; not to be discovered is any first beginning of beings, who, obstructed by ignorance, and ensnared by craving, are hurrying and hastening through this round of rebirths.”

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