What the Buddha Taught
What the Buddha Taught, by Theravadin Walpola Rahula, is a widely used introductory book on Buddhism. Using quotes from the sutras, Rahula gives his personal interpretation of what he regards to be Buddhism's essential teachings, including the Four Noble Truths, the Buddhist mind, the Noble Eightfold Path, meditation and mental development, and the world today. Background and reception
Rahula's book is an example of "Protestant Buddhism," the Sinhalese version of Buddhist modernism. Due to its rational presentation of Buddhism, which suited western expectations, What the Buddha Taught is a widely read and highly influential introduction to Buddhist thought. {{refn|group=note|According to {{harvnb|Gimello|2004|p=240-241), also quoted in , Protestant Buddhism "was created in an accommodating response to western expectations, and in nearly diametrical opposition to Buddhism as it had actually been practised in traditional Theravada." See also Richard Gombrich, Theravada Buddhism, chapter 7, Protestant Buddhism; and David L. McMahan (2008), The Making of Buddhist Modernism, Oxford University Press, p.50-52.}}}} Publication data
 Rahula, Walpola What The Buddha Taught'', Oneworld Publications: Oxford, (1959) (revised 1974). Notes

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External links
 What the Buddha Taught (e-text)

Buddhism studies books
Books about Gautama Buddha