title: Buddha Takes No Prisoners: A Meditator's Survival Guide
author:  Patrick Ophuls 
description: "A wise, clear, and playfully irreverent account of a meditators journey. Patrick Ophuls speaks from experience as he points out the depth of the teachings and the seductions along the way."<br />Joseph Goldstein, author of <i>One Dharma: The Emerging Western Buddhism</i><br /> <br />"Erudite, humorous, intelligent, deeply insightful, extremely well written, accurate, accessible. I want all my sangha here to read it."<br />Robert K. Hall, founding teacher of the Lomi School, Santa Rosa, California, and El Dharma retreat center, Todos Santos, Mexico<br /> <br />"A good introduction for the beginner and a fresh perspective for the experienced practitioner. Alternately makes us laugh at ourselves and reminds us of the poignancy of the teachings."<br />Sharon Salzberg, author of <i>A Heart as Wide as the World</i> <br /> <br />"Ophuls gives us a no-nonsense, commonsense tour of mindfulness-based <i>meditation</i> practice, pointing out contradictions and pitfalls, and laughing at our pretentions. ... This book will help you swim to the other shore."<br />Wes Nisker, editor in chief, <i>Inquiring Mind</i><br /> <br />Patrick Ophuls style is straight-forward and engaging. He doesnt cut any corners, and he doesnt fluff up his writing [<i>Buddha Takes No Prisoners</i> is] approachable yet elevating The book is like a FAQ for your Buddhist practice. I definitely recommend it.<i><br />Home Brew Dharma<br /><br /></i>Ophuls has done us all a favor by reframing meditation and the essentials of Buddhism in imaginative terms that are both appealing and edifying. Meditation, he says, is like spring-cleaning your heart and mind.<br /> <i>Spirituality &amp; Practice</i>
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  The Short Readings
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  (Khuddakapāṭha, Khuddakanikāya 1)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  translated by
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Ānandajoti Bhikkhu
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Reverence to him, the Fortunate One, the Worthy One, the Perfect Sambuddha
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### 1\. Going for Refuge
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I go to the Buddha for refuge,  
  I go to the Dhamma for refuge,  
  I go to the Sangha for refuge.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  For a second time I go to the Buddha for refuge,  
  For a second time I go to the Dhamma for refuge,  
  For a second time I go to the Sangha for refuge.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  For a third time I go to the Buddha for refuge,  
  For a third time I go to the Dhamma for refuge,  
  For a third time I go to the Sangha for refuge.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### 2\. The Ten Training Rules
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  1\. I undertake the training rule of refraining from killing living creatures,
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  2\. I undertake the training rule of refraining from taking what has not been
  given,
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  3\. I u