Access to Insight

Category

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

2.1.0

Free or Paid

Free

Apple Watch Support

No

Device(s) App Was Tested On

iPhone

iOS Version

9.2

Accessibility Comments

The app seems to be fully accessible with VoiceOver

VoiceOver Performance

VoiceOver reads all page elements.

Button Labeling

All buttons are clearly labeled.

Usability

The app is fully accessible with VoiceOver and is easy to navigate and use.

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

Recommendations

1 people have recommended this app

Most recently recommended by Nina 8 years 11 months ago

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