Access to Insight: A Comprehensive Library of Buddhist Texts
Not so much "an eBook" as a huge library of eBooks, Access to Insight is the ultimate application for anyone interested in Buddhism. Developed by Bill Parousis, this free app is a complete offline version of the widely recognized and highly recommended Access to Insight website.
Access to Insight offers over 1,000 *actual suttas* (skt: 'sutras') from the Tipitaka, the body of Buddhist canonical texts. These suttas have been translated into contemporary English by recognized subject domain experts, ensuring scholarly rigor and precision. They provide a unique opportunity to delve into the discourses historically attributed to Siddhartha Gotama, the Buddha, who founded Buddhism nearly 2,500 years ago.
In addition to the suttas, Access to Insight also offers a comprehensive collection of essays by world-renowned monks and scholars. These essays cover a wide range of topics including Buddhist philosophy, meditation, and practice. Whether for personal interest or academic study, this high-quality material is suitable for all.
The app features a user-friendly interface that works much like a web browser. It supports both landscape and portrait modes, and bookmarks can be used to save the current scroll position. Network access is not required, except for the search and audio features. The full text is stored locally on your device, allowing for convenient offline reading.
Access to Insight also provides links to iPhone-accessible online audio readings on suttareadings.net, enhancing the reading experience with audio versions of the sutta translations.
In summary, Access to Insight is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in Theravada Buddhism and Buddhism in general. With its extensive collection of suttas, essays, and user-friendly features, this app offers a comprehensive and convenient way to explore the teachings of the Buddha.
