Access to Insight: Readings In Theravada Buddhism
Description of App
Not so much "an eBook" as a huge library of eBooks, this might just be the best application about Buddhism on the App Store!
This is the entire offline version of John Bullitt's widely recognized and highly recommended Access to Insight (www.accesstoinsight.org) web site, a massive
compilation of material about Theravada Buddhism and Buddhism in general.
Herein are contained over 1,000 *actual suttas* (skt: 'sutras') from the Tipitaka (body of Buddhist canonical texts) translated into contemporary English
with scholarly rigor and precision by recognized subject domain experts. Suttas are not simply modern essays and interpretations; they are actual written
discourses historically attributed to Siddhartha Gotama, the Buddha, who founded Buddhism nearly 2,500 years ago.
A massive and thorough collection of essays by world-renound monks and scholars on the subjects of Buddhist philosophy, meditation, and practice is also
included.
This is high quality material that is suitable reading for personal interest or academic study. Much of the material has also been published in printed
form.
To aid the reader, indexes are available by subject, author, title, sutta title, proper name of historical figure, simile/metaphor, and even traditional
numerical association.
Usability Features of the Software
The reader works much like a web browser. Double tap on the screen to hide or show the toolbar and status bar. Landscape and portrait modes are supported,
as are bookmarks which save the current scroll position of the current page.
Network access not required!
Except for the search and audio features, network access is not required. The full text is stored locally on your device.
Audio
Many of the sutta translations also link to iPhone accessible online audio readings on suttareadings.net.
Excerpts from "What is Access to Insight?" by site owner John T. Bullitt:
"Access to Insight is an Internet website dedicated to providing accurate, reliable, and useful information concerning the practice and study of Theravada
Buddhism, as it has been handed down to us through both the written word of the Pali canon and the living example of the Sangha."
"The readings assembled here represent just a selection of the Buddha's teachings. These are the ones that, over the years, I've personally found to be
helpful in deepening an understanding of Dhamma practice. This collection is not meant to be an exhaustive archive of Theravada Buddhist texts."
"Everything available at Access to Insight is offered in full cooperation with the authors, translators, and publishers concerned, with the clear understanding
that none of it is to be sold. Please help yourself to whatever you find useful."
Version
Free or Paid
Apple Watch Support
Device(s) App Was Tested On
iOS Version
VoiceOver Performance
Button Labeling
Usability
Other Comments
If anyone disagrees with the accessibility rating of this entry please let me know and I will change it. Sorry I could not find much info about the developer, I only found his blog about the app, (there are no posts but who knows it might be helpful some day,) and I have posted it in the "developer's website" field. The developer can also be contacted at
accesstoinsightapp@gmail.com
Developer's Website
Recommendations
1 people have recommended this app
Accessibility Comments
The app seems to be fully accessible with VoiceOver