CONCEPT: 4.5/5
RELEVANCE: 4.5/5
WRITING: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Genre & Themes: Self-Help, Happiness, Peace, Spirituality, Philosophy, Buddhism
Looking for a short, philosophical read full of wisdom, I came across Thich Nhat Hanh’s Two Treasures. Having heard and read about the world-renowned Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk and his writings, I was eager to explore his work and chose to begin with this concise yet meaningful book.
An introduction to the book
The foreword by Shantum Seth, a teacher personally ordained by Thich Nhat Hanh, offers a deeply personal account of the monk. It talks about the monk’s life, his teachings, and the many Buddhist sites that dot the Indian landscape—the sacred Sita Ashok tree, the pilgrimage to Sarnath, the ghats of the Ganga, the Bodhi Tree of Bodh Gaya, the Mahabodhi Temple, the Niranjan River, the Dungeshwari Caves, etc.
In this way, the foreword sets the tone for a journey of reflection and spirituality.
What is the book all about?
The book begins with an introduction to the concept of the two treasures of Buddhism—(1) Sutra on the Eight Realizations of the Great Beings and (2) The Discourse on Happiness. Thich Nhat Hanh emphasizes that these sutras should be read slowly to grasp the true depth of their meaning.
The more time spent meditating upon them, the greater the benefit derived from them. We also get to know about the complementary nature of these two sutras and how they ensure overall harmony in a seeker’s spiritual journey.
Essentially, the entire book of 60+ pages is broadly divided into three categories—the foreword, the Sutra on the Eight Realizations of the Great Beings, and The Discourse on Happiness.
The first concept covered in great detail is the eight realizations discovered by the great beings. These include (1) awareness that the world is impermanent, (2) more desire brings more suffering, (3) the human mind is always searching for possessions and never feels fulfilled, (4) awareness of the extent to which laziness is an obstacle to practice, (5) ignorance is the cause of the endless round of birth and death, (6) poverty creates hatred and anger, which creates a vicious cycle of negative thoughts and activity, (7) the five categories of desire lead to difficulties, and (8) awareness that the fire of birth and death is raging, causing endless suffering everywhere.
These are the eight realizations discovered by the great beings, the Buddhas, and Bodhisattvas who have sailed on the boat of Dharmakaya to the shores of Nirvana but have returned to the human world, having abandoned the desires of their five senses and with their hearts dedicated to helping all beings reduce their suffering in this world.
A commentary on those eight realizations then follows this detailed section. As mentioned in the sutras, eleven guidelines for daily living are also included.
The text touches upon concepts such as impermanence, no-self (one of the most important subjects for meditation in Buddhism), impurity, paramitas, etc.
The book also briefly discusses Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism while addressing the concepts of sickness and suffering as an effective medicine, explaining how obstacles can be a form of liberation and how difficulties are necessary for success.
We then come across the chapters on The Discourse on Happiness, which is later followed by the commentary on this sutra. It tells us that the Pali version of this sutra is called the Mangala Sutra, wherein Mangala means a good omen.
It emphasizes the importance of a community rooted in love and understanding as the best antidote to addiction (to drugs, alcohol, and careless sex). While highlighting the significance of being in the company of wise, virtuous, and honourable people, it also urges us to live in a place where the surroundings and activities serve to nourish individuals and build a strong community.
The book is also a treasure trove of wisdom, encouraging us to live virtuously, with honesty, always in gratitude, and in harmony with nature and our surroundings.
This is a book that can be read very quickly, but I would recommend reading it as slowly as possible, taking only a few pages at a time, followed by reflection on what has been read and understood.
This book can also be a great way to begin a new year on a positive note—happy, grateful, peaceful, and full of love. A short and profound read, I would certainly recommend it to lovers of spirituality, Buddhism, wisdom, philosophy, and non-fiction in general. It would also make a thoughtful gift for a near and dear one.
Can’t wait to read it? Buy your copy of Two Treasures using the link below.
