200805: years (decades...) since first reading. this might be first buddhism book i read, very concise, great translations, clear and readable. after other buddhism and philosophy, read again with interest how nibbana can be misunderstood as 'extinction' and thus negative cast- where it is in fact 'extinction' of those 'aggregates' which create the being that 'thirsts' more, more, etc. well organised, this text addresses first the buddhist attitude to the mind, then the four noble truths in chapters each, then doctrine of no-soul, then mediation, then in the contemporary world (1959)...
nothing i had not read before, possibly first time here, but he does clarify some readings through more exact translations, and this created some wistfulness in recalling how very excited i was when first introduced to this way of thought. was never drawn to become monk or even serious practitioner, this reading must face all the philosophy read since, all the life lived. do not know if i can overcome hindrances of doubt to fully 'see' this wisdom, but still find it more attractive than say christian 'blind faith'. when i am able to, i might just go to that buddhist temple downtown...
??? 90s?: those who know do not speak; those who speak do not know? well, he does an excellent impression he knows...