Bhikkhu Bodhi is a Buddhist monk of American nationality, born in New York City in 1944. After obtaining a PhD in philosophy from the Claremont Graduate School, he came to Sri Lanka to enter the Sangha. He received the novice ordination in 1972 and the higher ordination in 1973, both under the eminent scholar monk, Ven. Balangoda Ananda Maitreya, with whom he studied Pali and Dhamma.
He is the author of several works on Theravāda Buddhism, including four translations of great Pali-suttas, together with their comments. He was editor and president of the Buddhist Publication Society for many years.
He has been living at Chuang Yen Monastery since 2006 and in 2008, together with several of his students, Bhikkhu Bodhi founded Buddhist Global Relief, a non profit supporting hunger relief, sustainable agriculture, and education in countries suffering from chronic poverty and malnutrition. In May 2013 was elected president of BAUS.
A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma
Bhikkhu BodhiOne of the most influential works within Theravāda Buddhism. A standard work for anyone who wants to delve into the Buddhist teachings.
A Look at the Kalama Sutta
Bhikkhu BodhiA critical look at the kalama sutta, the Buddha’s teaching on free inquiry, and the misinterpretation that is often made. By Bhikkhu Bodhi.
A Short Introduction to Buddhism by Bhikkhu Bodhi
Bhikkhu BodhiA free video course on Buddhism with accompanying literature. Get to the heart of Buddhism. By Bhikkhu Bodhi.
Adittapariyaya Sutta: The Fire Sermon
Bhikkhu BodhiA powerful and confronting teaching from the Buddha about the dangers of desire. Essence of Buddhism.
Anapanasati Sutta: Mindfulness of Breathing
Bhikkhu BodhiThe Buddha’s teaching on mindfulness of breathing as a meditation object or focus of meditation. A commonly used meditation method.
Anattalakkhana Sutta: The Characteristic of Nonself
Bhikkhu BodhiCentral to Buddhism is anatta - the experience that there is no self, no I, no mine. This is the teaching of the Buddha on anatta.
Anicca Vata Sankhāra
Bhikkhu BodhiBhikkhu Bodhi on the sankharas, those conditioned and transient phenomena of existence that are central to Buddhist philosophy.
Arahants, Bodhisattvas, and Buddhas
Bhikkhu BodhiOn the different goals in Theravada vs Mahayana Buddhism. The Buddha, Bodhisattva and Arahant ideal. By Bhikkhu Bodhi.
Bhikkhu Bodhi Speaks about the Abhidhamma
Bhikkhu BodhiAudio lessons from Bhikkhu Bodhi on the Abhidhamma, the Buddha’s teaching on ultimate reality. Recommended for meditation practitioners.
Dhamma and Non-duality
Bhikkhu BodhiHow does traditional Buddhism view non-duality? A critical exposition from a Theravada Buddhist point of view. By Bhikkhu Bodhi.
Dhamma Reflections
Bhikkhu BodhiThis volume brings together fifty-three essays of Bhikkhu Bodhi that were earlier published by the BPS in newsletters and other publications.
Introduction to Dāna (Giving)
Bhikkhu BodhiThe practice of giving is widely recognized as one of the most fundamental human virtues. The Buddha also emphasized its importance.
Investigating the Dhamma
Bhikkhu BodhiThis book brings together eight essays of Bhikkhu Bodhi, five of which were earlier published in academic journals and volumes, and three not published before.
Lifestyles and Spiritual Progress
Bhikkhu BodhiDo you have to become a Buddhist monk in order to meditate? Bhikkhu Bodhi reflects on the influence of lifestyle on the Buddhist path.
Serenity and Insight in the Nikāyas
Bhikkhu BodhiWhat do the ancient Buddhist scriptures say about vipassana meditation vs samatha meditation? A selection by Bhikkhu Bodhi.
Subrahma’s Problem
Bhikkhu BodhiBhikkhu Bodhi reflects on our fears and the impermanence of existence on the basis of a discourse of the Buddha. Let go and find freedom.
The All-Embracing Net of Views
Bhikkhu BodhiThe Brahmajala, one of the Buddha’s most important discourses, weaves a net of sixty-two cases capturing all the speculative views on the self and the world.
The Bodhisattva idea: Essays on the Emergence of Mahayana
Bhikkhu BodhiThis book brings together six essays on the origin and history of the bodhisattva ideal and the emergence of the Mahāyana. The essays approach the subject from…
The Discourse on the Root of Existence
Bhikkhu BodhiThis profound and difficult discourse of the Buddha aims at exposing and eliminating the concept of the ego at its most fundamental level.
The Fruits of Recluseship: The Sammannaphala Sutta and its Commentaries
Bhikkhu BodhiIn reply to a question on the fruits of the monk’s life, the Buddha traces the entire progress of the disciple from the first step of the path to its…
The Great Discourse on Causation
Bhikkhu BodhiThe Mahanidana Sutta, “The Great Discourse on Causation,” is the longest and most detailed of the Buddha’s discourses dealing with dependent arising (paticca…
The Noble Eightfold Path
Bhikkhu BodhiThis book offers a clear, concise account of the Eightfold Path prescribed to uproot and eliminate the deep underlying cause of suffering — ignorance.
Two Styles of Insight Meditation
Bhikkhu BodhiInsight meditation - vipassana - is practiced in a variety of ways today. Broadly speaking, there are two forms of meditation. By Bhikkhu Bodhi.