Editions：1st edition 6th printing; 1st edition：1983.11, Taiwan. Series：Hui Chu Wen Ku, 5003. With a Foreword by Paul Demieville and a collection of illustrative texts translated from the original Pali. 版次：初版6刷; 初版：1983.11.集叢：慧炬文庫, 5003.
Table of Contents CHAPTER I The Buddhist Attitude of Mind Man is supreme -- One is one's refuge -- Responsibility -- Doubt -- Freedom of Thought -- Tolerance -- Is Buddhism Religion or Philosophy? -- Truth has no label -- No blind faith or belief，but seeing and understanding -- No attachment even to Truth -- Parable of the raft -- Imaginary speculations useless -- Practical attitude -- Parable of the wounded man
THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS CHAPTER II The First Noble Truth：Dukkha Buddhism neither pessimistic nor optimistic，but realistic -- Meaning of 'Dukkha' -- Three aspects of experience -- Three aspects of 'Dukkha' -- What is a 'being'? -- Five Aggregates -- No spirit opposed to matter -- Flux -- Thinker and Thought -- Has life a beginning?
CHAPTER III The Second Noble Truth：Samudaya：'The Arising of Dukkha' Definition -- Four Nutriments -- Roots cause of suffering and continuity -- Nature of arising and cessation -- Karma and Rebirth -- What is death? -- What is rebirth?
CHAPTER IV The Third Noble Truth：Nirodha：'The Cessation of Dukkha' What is Nirvaa.na? -- Language and Absolute Truth -- Definitions of Nirvaa.na -- Nirvaa.na not negative -- Nirvaa.na as Absolute Truth -- What is Absolute Truth? -- Truth is not negative -- Nirvaa.na and Sa.msaara -- Nirvaa.na not a result -- What is there after Nirvaa.na? -- Incorrect expressions -- What happens to an Arahant after death/ -- If no Self，who realizes Nirvaa.na? -- Nirvaa.na in this life
CHAPTER V The Fourth Noble Truth：Megga：'The Path' Middle Path or Noble Eightfold Path -- Compassion and Wisdom -- Ethical Conduct -- Mental Discipline -- Wisdom -- Two sorts of Understanding -- Four Functions regarding the Four Noble Truths
CHAPTER VI The Doctrine of No-Soul：Anatta What is Soul or Self? -- God and Soul; Self-protection and Self-preservation -- Teaching 'Against the Current' -- Analytical and Synthetical methods -- Conditioned Genesis -- Question of Free-will -- Two kinds of Truths -- Some erroneous views -- The Buddha definitely denies 'Atman' -- The Buddha's silence -- The idea of Self：a vague impression -- Correct attitude -- If no Self，who gets the result of Karma? -- Doctrine of Anatta not negative
CHAPTER VII 'Meditation' or Mental Culture：Bhaavanaa Erroneous views -- Meditation is no escape from life -- Two forms of Meditation -- The Setting-up of Mindfulness -- 'Meditation' on breathing -- Mindfulness of activities -- Living in the present moment -- 'Meditation' on Sensations -- on Mind -- on Ethical，Spiritual and Intellectual subjects
CHAPTER VIII What the Buddha Taught and the World Today Erroneous views -- Buddhism for all -- In daily life -- Family and social life -- Lay life held in high esteem -- How to become a Buddhist -- Social and economic problems -- Poverty：cause of crime -- Material and spiritual progress -- Four kinds of happiness for laymen -- On politics, war and peace -- Non-violence -- The ten duties of a ruler -- The Buddha's Message -- Is it practical? -- Asoka's Example -- The Aim of Buddhism
SELECTED TEXTS Setting in Motion the Wheel of Truth (Dhammacakkappavattana-sutta) The Fire Sermon (Aadittapariyaaya-sutta) Universal Love (Metta-sutta) Blessings (Ma^ngala-sutta) Getting rid of All Cares and Troubles (Sabbaasava-sutta) The Parable of the Piece of Cloth (Vatthuupama-sutta) The Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipatthaana-sutta) Advice to Sigala (Sigaalovaada-sutta) The Words of Truth (Dhammapada) The Last Words of the Buddha (from the Mahaaparinibbaana-sutta)
