Vision of Dhamma

One of my best-ever Dhamma reads. Author had a profound knowledge and understanding of Pali teachings and the capability to communicate in clear language accessible to the student (like me). I feel very fortunate to have this book.

This collection of essays is intended for readers who are already established in their Dhamma practice, and such readers will likely be quite fulfilled by this bright and penetrating exploration of a wide variety of topics. My favorite essay is probably the "Power of Mindfulness". I also enjoy "The Worn-Out Skin" about the Uraga Sutta, especially because Bhikkhu Bodhi has also lectured on this Sutta in depth (recordings available by searching online), so I can compare the reflections of these two great scholars who worked together so closely. All of the essays however, are meticulously crafted, and overall the book has the effect of awakening the reader to the urgency of the work of liberation.

The Vision of Dhamma is a great book for someone who wants to understand the teachings of the Buddha at a deeper level. Having a compilation of all of Nyanaponika Thera’s work between two covers gives the reader a vivid glimpse of his lifetime of studies and a well-rounded insight into the depth of his understanding of Dhamma. Nyanaponika Thera's eloquent voice guides the reader through various themes found throughout the Pali Canon and articulately explains every landmark along the way. He speaks about broad topics in a way that seems to relate directly to your own practice. Nyanaponika Thera writes in a balanced way with the ability to provide both clear intellectual explanation and encouragement to practice and develop one's self. He has the courage and respect not to pull any punches and presents the hard truth about our reality without sugar coating it at all. This book is a stirring account of universal suffering ingeniously assembled specifically to shock you out of your complacency and addiction to everyday worldly squabbles and tensions. He aims to inspire urgency in each individual to follow the path leading to the end of suffering. It’s a must read for anyone trying to apply dhamma in a practical way to everyday life.