Unit One 1
Introduction 2
The Buddha 2
The Dhamma 3
The Sangha 4
The Threefold Refuge 4
The Five Precepts 5
Unit Two 11
The Four Noble Truths 12
The Noble Truth of Suffering 13
The Five Khandhas,or Groups of Existence 14
The Group of Corporeality(rūpa-khandha) 15
Unit Three 23
The Group of Feeling(vedanā-khandha) 24
The Group of Perception(sa？ā-khandha) 24
The Group of Mental Formations(sa？khāra-khandha) 24
The Group of Consciousness(vi？ā？a-khandha) 25
The Three Characteristics of Existence(ti-lakkha？a) 26
Unit Four 35
The Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering 36
The Threefold Craving 36
Origin of Craving 37
Dependent Origination of All Phenomena 37
Present Karma-Results 38
Future Karma-Results 38
Karma as Volition 39
Inheritance of Deeds(Karma) 39
Karma 40
Unit Five 47
The Noble Truth of the Extinction of Suffering 48
Dependent Extinction of All Phenomena 48
Nibbana 50
The Arahat,or Holy One 50
The Immutable 51
The Noble Truth of the Path That Leads to the Extinction of Suffering 52
The Two Extremes,and the Middle Path 52
The Eightfold Path 52
The Noble Eightfold Path(Ariya-a？ha？gikamagga) 53
Unit Six 61
Right Understanding(Sammā-di？hi) 62
Understanding the Four Truths 62
Understanding Merit and Demerit 62
Understanding the Three Characteristics(Ti-lakkha？a) 64
Unprofitable Questions 65
Five Fetters(Sa？yojana) 66
Unwise Considerations 66
The Six Views about the Self 67
Wise Considerations 68
Unit Seven 73
The Sotāpanna or'Stream-Enterer' 74
The Ten Fetters(Sa？yojana) 74
The Noble Ones(Ariya-puggala) 75
Mundane and Supermundane Right Understanding 76
Conjoined with Other Steps 77
Free from All Theories 77
The Three Characteristics 78
Views and Discussions about the Ego 79
Unit Eight 85
Past,Present and Future 86
The Two Extremes(Annihilation and Eternity Belief)and the Middle Doctrine 87
Dependent Origination(pa？icca-samuppāda) 87
Rebirth-Producing Karma 89
Cessation of Karma 90
Unit Nine 95
Right Thought(Sammā-sa？kappa) 96
Mundane and Supermundane Right Thought 96
Conjoined with other Factors 97
Right Speech(Sammā-vācā) 98
Abstaining from Lying 98
Abstaining from Tale-bearing 99
Abstaining from Harsh Language 99
Abstaining from Vain Talk 100
Mundane and Supermundane Right Speech 100
Conjoined with Other Factors 101
Unit Ten 105
Right Action(Sammā-kammanta) 106
Abstaining from Killing 106
Abstaining from Stealing 106
Abstaining from Unlawful Sexual Intercourse 107
Mundane and Supermundane Right Action 107
Conjoined with Other Factors 107
Right Livelihood(Sammā-ājīva) 109
Mundane and Supermundane Right Livelihood 109
Conjoined with Other Factors 110
Right Effort(Sammā-vāyāma) 111
The Effort to Avoid(Sa？vara-ppadhāna) 111
The Effort to Overcome(Pahāna-ppadhāna) 112
The Effort to Develop(Bhāvanā-ppadhāna) 113
The Effort to Maintain(Anurakkha？a-ppadhāna) 113
Unit Eleven 119
Right Mindfulness(Sammā-sati) 120
The Four Foundations of Mindfulness(Satipa？hāna) 120
Contemplation of the Body(kāyanupassanā) 120
Unit Twelve 131
Contemplation of the Feelings(vedanānupassanā) 132
Contemplation of the Mind(Cittānupassanā) 132
Contemplation of the Mind-Objects(dhammānupassanā) 133
Unit Thirteen 141
Nibbāna through ？nāpāna-Sati 142
Unit Fourteen 149
Right Concentration(Sammā-samādhi) 150
Its Definition 150
Its Objects 151
Its Requisites 151
Its Development 151
The Four Absorptions(jhāna) 152
Unit Fifteen 163
Gradual Development of the Eightfold Path in the Progress of the Disciple 164
Confidence and Right Thought(Second Factor) 164
Morality(Third,Fourth,Fifth Factor) 164
Control of the Senses(Sixth Factor) 166
Mindfulness and Clear Comprehension(Seventh Factor) 166
Absence of the Five Hindrances(nīvara？a) 167
The Absorptions(Eighth Factor) 167
Insight(vipassanā)(First Factor) 168
Nibbāna 168
The Silent Thinker 169
The True Goal 169
Appendix 175
Buddhist Literature 176
Index of Pali Terms 181
Chinese Text of the Word of the Buddha 199
Chinese Translation 203
Glossary 269