Rodney Smith - Stepping Out of Self-Deception: The Buddha’s Liberating Teaching of No-Self
Smith’s book about Buddhism served as my introduction to this enlightening religion. I had been interested in learning more about Buddhism since reading an article about a Buddhist monk in an Alternative Medicine magazine in ~ 2005 (sometimes it takes me awhile to actually do what I think about). My interest had been sparked because from the brief 2-3 page article, I had gotten the impression that Buddhism encourages its followers to take in new information each day and to build on their ideas and beliefs. It seemed that truth in Buddhism was not an absolute, unmovable command or god, but rather something that could morph and change as one gained knowledge and insight through-out life. I liked this idea of a truth that was malleable to new insights and understanding instead of being set and inflexible.
This is not to say that truth changes - it is only my limited understanding of truth that changes. With earnest searching, my limited/the student’s limited understanding of truth changes, but this does not necessarily change truth itself. Smith’s framework for discussing Buddhism is the Buddha’s Eightfold Path. Smith suggests that Buddhism is not necessarily about living a quiet, secluded life but is relevant to ‘lay life’ - our daily lives in the modern world. Smith introduces the Buddha’s Eightfold Path by explaining: |
Above: Exposed roots of a tree on Oahu, Hawaii
Below: Wild mountain flowers on the Continental Divide Trail near Loveland Pass, Colorado |
The Buddha’s teaching is a comprehensive blueprint for awakening. The cause and conditions of dissatisfaction
have not changed in twenty-six hundred years. The remedy, outlined in the Buddha’s Eightfold Path, remains as
applicable now as it was when first spoken. This book is an attempt to show that certain aspects of the Eightfold
Path take on new relevance in lay life, and to show how this teaching can be framed to speak directly to modern
life by using contemporary metaphors. (p11)
Smith goes on to provide a short description of each section of the Eightfold Path - wise view, wise intention, wise speech, wise action, wise livelihood, wise effort, wise mindfulness, and wise samadhi, in chapter one of his book.
have not changed in twenty-six hundred years. The remedy, outlined in the Buddha’s Eightfold Path, remains as
applicable now as it was when first spoken. This book is an attempt to show that certain aspects of the Eightfold
Path take on new relevance in lay life, and to show how this teaching can be framed to speak directly to modern
life by using contemporary metaphors. (p11)
Smith goes on to provide a short description of each section of the Eightfold Path - wise view, wise intention, wise speech, wise action, wise livelihood, wise effort, wise mindfulness, and wise samadhi, in chapter one of his book.