For anyone who aspires to get a real feeling for the Thai Forest Tradition, I suggest his audio renditions as an extraordinarily wonderful way to do so.

My favorite reader (and one who can be relied upon to provide excellent pronunciation as well as heartfelt readings of significant biographies) is Ajahn Dick Sīlaratano, a longtime student (and translator) of Ajahn Mahā Boowa as well as being the founder and abbot of Forest Dhamma Monastery. Nonetheless, the price is modest, and Bhikkhu Bodhi’s efforts to provide a coherent structure (using selections from the principle Nikayas) are truly worth a listen. Tragically, their reader hadn’t the vaguest idea how any of the Pāḷi terms are pronounced, so (for example) an aspirated-t, ‘th, ‘ is pronounced as in ‘thing’ (Ouch!). However, as an audiobook, the unabridged text is available from Audiobookstand as two MP3 encoded CD disks. For that, I suggest Bhikkhu Bodhi’s book, In the Buddha’s Words, the Dhamma Wheel discussion forum’s post, In the Buddha’s Words - Open Source Version , and the corresponding information here on Bhante Sujato’s SuttaCentral. This book presents the life and the practice of a woman who reached the pinnacle of Buddhist practice. My favorite, however, is for those who wish to plow directly into the rich field of the Pāḷi Suttas (in English Translation, of course). True Freedom, True Essence Ajahn Silaratano Posted: JOn a more profound level, however, Mae Chee Kaew’s practice points the way beyond the changing conditions of birth and death to the essence of true freedom. Both are excellent choices and are nicely complementary. Although I’m always tempted to guide folks to Access to Insight’s Web page on Beginnings, that’s not really a book.Īmong the most frequently recommended books, are Walpola Rahula‘s What the Buddha Taught (available from Dharma Audiobooks) and Henepola Gunaratana‘s Mindfulness in Plain English (available from Audible). I occasionally encounter those new to Buddhism requesting books that are good starting places.

Mae Chee Kaew by Silaratano Bhikkhu