A pithy guide to the Buddha's instructions to unlock the powerful insights that make us great
by wise warm and humorous Brother Phap Hai the most senior Australian Dharma teacher
ordained by Thich Nhat Hanh In this essential sutra for sincere practitioners the Buddha says
If you would like to be enlightened take on these eight subjects for meditation and apply
their corresponding insights to your daily life. Brother Phap Hai's lively down-to-earth
explanation of spirituality's original self-help manual makes this book a must-read for all
seeking inspiration on the path of self-realization and compassion. Beginning with a brief
historical overview of the sutra's origins Brother Phap Hai explores each of the eight
realizations and shares a story in each chapter from his own journey to become a monk himself.
Ordaining as a Buddhist monk in 1997 while still in his twenties Brother Phap Hai has been
practicing mindfulness on a daily basis for much of his adult life. Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh
authorized him to teach in 2003 and since then he has guided and mentored thousands of
students in meditation. Brother Phap Hai calls the Buddha's Discourse on the Eight Realizations
of Great Beings his 'Desert Island Sutra' because it distills the essence of the Buddhist path.
In his words it is everything you need in a practical meditation manual a very structured
exposition of realizing the entirety of the Buddhist path for yourself.
