Being Dharma: The Essence of the Buddha's Teachings

I only have praise.

I personally probably prefer  Food for the Heart: The Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah  to Being Dharma but since that was the first collection of Ajahn Chah's teachings I ever encountered, I may be biased. That being said, this is a great collection of teachings broken down into chapters based on subject: Hearing Dharma, Understanding Dharma, Practicing Dharma, Seeing Dharma, Being Dharma, and Teaching Dharma. If you are unfamiliar with Chah's teachings I will say that he isn't exactly brief. Sometimes he takes the long way around to explain something but it is worth it for the wisdom he is sharing. I personally enjoy his way of speaking and I'm grateful to people like Paul Breiter for providing these translations.

If you are looking for a book that delivers the message of Buddha in a human, yet intelligent, manner, this is it. Like every other book, this one explains each of the essential teachings of Buddhism. Unlike every other book (I found), this book is set of lectures or teachings that were given by a person who explained clearly how to think and feel about each subject, such as Dharma, meditation, giving, etc. The key to the book is the excellent writing of the person who translated the lessons. I can sit down with this book and feel like I am actually listening to an expert who speaks at my level.

Ajahn Chah's teachings are always clear and deal with daily application of dharma for laypersons. He doesn't beat round the bush, nor speak in abstract mumbo jumbo. He is always able to explain difficult concepts using the most apt analogies that cut right to the point.This book provides insights and explanations to dharma's concepts on impermanence, non-self, dukkha and karma. In essence, seeing dharma & being dharma, is to practice dharma with patience & perseverance. This is something Ajahn Chah stresses throughout the book.

Secret gem. All heart. This translation of Ajahn Chah is easy to understand and is written with American English sayings, as opposed to other translations by non-native English speakers. The messages are timeless and great for reminding me of the simplicity of life. Read only a page for inspiration. This teacher is straight to the point and explains things with wonderful stories. I have read most of his translations and enjoy them all.

What can one say about a "one of a kind" mind and teaching style? This is a wonderful insight into the Venerable Ajahn Chah's interpretations, and his way of communicating it is uncanny in tone and approach. If there were six (6) stars for ratings, it would be a six.

Many sangha and lay Buddhists often regard Ajahn Chah (1919-1992) as one of the arahants of the 20th century. "Veneral Ajahn Chah, not only explained the path to liberation so clearly, but also lived the path so totally, to the very end.", wrote Ajahn Brahm.Ajahn Chah repeatedly emphasizes that contemplating impermanence, suffering, and not-self is essential; moral conduct, concentration, and wisdom form the path of which right view is its foundation.Undoubtedly for future stream enterers, the collected teachings of Ajahn Chah are priceless!

Beautifully condensed writing of decades of teachings by Ajahn Chah. Word-for-word highly potent and concentrated truth, yet so simple. No complex examples or heavy text - written on the reading level of Harry Potter but so much more helpful. Has definitely increased my inner peace.

Even a Thai Buddhist might hardly know about this part of Thai Buddhism.

A wonderful collection of Dhamma Talks from the great master Ajahn Chah, as translated by his former disciple Paul Breiter. Also included is the transcript of Luang Por Chah's instructions and Q&A held at the Insight Meditation Society in 1979, a great addition to the wealth of inspiring material found in the book. Everything is clear and straightforwardly explained and will dispel any confusion in a practicioner's mind about the path. One wishes though that Paul Breiter would retain the original Pali terminology instead of using the Sanskrit versions, as it would be more respectful to the Theravada tradition.Update: For those who can understand the language, the new 2018 french translation of the book, known as ¨Etre ce qui est - L'essence des enseignements du Bouddha¨, available from Sully editions, respects the Pali terminology.

This book showed up in great shape. I ordered a second to give as a gift. The actual book is AMAZING too. Such a great read.

Being Dharma is a very clear and practical book. Ajahn Chah cuts through all extraneous philosophizing and tell us what we need to know. From the book: "As the Buddha said, 'I teach only two things, namely, suffering and the end of suffering.'"If you are ready to just practice and not just trying to become knowledgeable, then this is a book for you.

I gave it to a friend since I already had Food for the Heart, which is a later but more complete collection of Ajahn Chah's teaching.