Category:Theravada Buddhism

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In this essay, presented at an interfaith conference in Sri Lanka, the author describes the "radical secularization" of human life that lies at the root of the manifold social problems in the modern world. Religious fundamentalism and spiritual eclecticism have emerged as two counterproductive reactions to this state of affairs. The author enumerates several fundamental tasks that practitioners from all the world's great religions must undertake as part of a sane response to the current crisis.

A reminder that the five precepts -- the most elementary guidelines of moral conduct offered by the Buddha -- enjoin us not merely from drinking alcohol to excess, but from drinking any amount of alchohol. Clarity of mind and moral judgment are fundamental to the practice of Dhamma; alcohol easily undermines both.

These Dhamma talks and question-and-answer sessions were recorded during a two-week meditation retreat he taught at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts in 1990. This event marked a rare opportunity for an elder Thai ajaan to speak directly to Westerners in their home environment. With a disarming ease and clarity, Ajaan Suwat here illuminates a number of vital points of Dhamma that will help the reader develop the proper attitude towards the practice of meditation.

Seventeen excerpts from Dhamma teachings delivered by Ajaan Mun in 1944-45.

Before you can really let go of the five aggregates (khandha) in meditation, you must build yourself a good home for the mind.

Some popular contemporary teachings claim that in this important sutta the Buddha advocates that we put our trust solely in what we can experience directly for ourselves. In fact, when we take into careful consideration the context of this sutta, it becomes clear that this interpretation altogether misses a much more important point.

The author inaugurates his series of essays by explaining their chief purpose: to advance an accurate understanding of the cornerstone of the Buddha's teachings -- right view

Some popular interpretations of Buddhism espouse the notion that our highest goal should be to expand our capacity to open ourselves to the full range of life's joys and sorrows, to shed our self-centered preferences, and merge at last with the unity of all beings and all things. Despite its pleasing sound, this teaching is far removed from Buddhism's real message of genuine freedom.

This is Ajaan Lee's last recorded sermon, dictated shortly before his death in April, 1961. Here Ajaan Lee teaches the importance of making the Dhamma -- and oneself -- one's refuge by practicing mindfulness of the four frames of reference.

In a world full of such extraordinary suffering it becomes second-nature to many of us to turn aside from the pain of others, cast our gaze downward, and focus instead on our own immediate, private concerns. Equipped with an understanding of the workings of kamma, however, we can begin to see the world with more heartfelt clarity, with greater equanimity, free of paralyzing despair.

In clear and simple terms, this booklet offers thoughtful advice to help the lay Buddhist lead a householder's life in line with the Buddha's teachings.

Encouragement and ammunition for those who would rather live a single, celibate life.

In response to the growing threat of terrorism in Sri Lanka, the author offers a reminder of the Buddha's timeless advice: "Considering others as oneself, do not hurt them or cause them harm."

A collection of ten talks delivered by Ajaan Chah in Thailand and England. These talks, given in Ajaan Chah's uniquely humorous and incisive conversational tone, span a range of Dhamma topics, from the cultivation of a balanced mind in meditation practice, to the overcoming of habitual ways of perceiving the world that obstruct the arising of liberating insight.

Popular interpretations of Buddhism today often ignore the importance of two powerful emotions, emotions that propelled the Buddha -- and all those who have sought Awakening since -- towards the goal of Awakening: samvega, a sense of urgency to escape the round of meaningless existence; and pasada, a clarity and serene confidence that allows one to proceed confidently towards the goal without lapsing into despair. In this short essay the author explores the meaning of these essential emotions and how we can encourage them to blossom in our lives.

In Sri Lanka, as throughout much of the world, the quality of formal education is deteriorating, as the schools largely fail to instill in their students an appreciation for either learning, moral decency, or wisdom. By reintroducing basic Buddhist principles into the educational system it may be possible to restore some nobility to the schools and thus to the students they serve.

Ajaan Sao and his student Ajaan Mun established the Kammatthana tradition. A true forest-dweller, Ajaan Sao left no written records of his teachings. Fortunately for us, another of his students -- Phra Ajaan Phut Thaniyo -- recorded Ajaan Sao's Teaching: A Reminiscence of Phra Ajaan Sao Kantasilo, which offers us a glimpse of Ajaan Sao's terse but powerful teaching style.

What did the Buddha really have to say about anicca -- inconstancy and change? Does the fact of impermanence tell us (as some popular teachings claim) that we should learn to "embrace our experiences without clinging", that we have the freedom to "create whatever world we want to live in"? In fact, the Buddha's teachings on anicca offer something far more useful and profound.

An acknowledgement of two noteworthy events concerning the BPS: Nyanaponika Mahathera (founder of the BPS) celebrated his 90th birthday, and Ven. Piyadassi Mahathera (editor of the BPS's Sinhala language publications) was elected to the position of leading elder in the Sangha of the Amarapura Nikaya (Sri Lanka).

A synopsis of some very basic teachings given to lay visitors at Chao Khun Nararatana Rajamanit's monastery in Thailand. These teachings are especially suitable for young people.

The friends and associations we make in life play a crucial role in our progress along the path, as we inevitably absorb some of their qualities -- be they good or bad. How do we learn to recognize and seek out the wise companion, the truly good friend?

This book contains a delightful and inspiring collection of anecdotal stories retold by an American monk who lived under Ajaan Fuang's tutelage for the last decade of Ajaan Fuang's life. These anecdotes reveal a teaching style that adapted readily to the particular needs of the listener at the moment. Collectively they bear the unmistakable mark of a masterful teacher with a profound grasp of Dhamma, offering valuable lessons for newcomers and experienced practitioners alike.

This essay primarily concerns the practice of breath meditation, and provides valuable advice on responding skillfully to the pitfalls that may be encountered along the way. The Prologue and Introduction to the essay include handy summaries of many key doctrinal points in the Buddha's teachings, as well as Pali chants and procedures that can be useful to prepare the mind for meditation practice.

A short talk on the development of virtue, concentration, and discernment. Keep practicing until these qualities become clear in your own heart!

translated from the Thai by the Sangha of Bung Wai Forest Monastery. Nine talks -- some delivered to lay followers, some to monks -- on the practice of meditation.

Must one "set one's own house in order" first before working to address the ills of society in a meaningful way? Can social activism be a genuine support for self-transformation? What would a truly "Buddhist" form of social action look like? This very readable essay explores these and other questions concerning the interrelationship between Buddhist practice and social action. An excellent starting point for reflection and discussion on these issues.

An excellent introductory overview of the fundamental principles of Buddhist doctrine. Topics covered include: the life of the Buddha, the Dhamma (Is it a philosophy? A religion? An ethical system?), the Four Noble Truths, the Law of Kamma, Rebirth, Dependent Origination, Anatta, and Nibbana. Recommended for beginners.

This Wheel booklet offers a short history of Buddhism in Myanmar from its origins until the beginning of the colonial period in the late 19th century. The material has been sifted and organized from the point of view of a practicing Buddhist. It is intended to show how Buddhism influenced the development of the Myanmar people until the Theravada Buddhist teachings became their second nature. [From the back cover]

This booklet provides a concise survey of the cermonies and rituals that make up the popular Buddhism of Sri Lanka, the ancient stronghold of Theravada Buddhism. The author discusses such Buddhist rites as the Refuges and Precepts, devotional worship, the Bodhi-puja, and the pirit ceremony. He explains the major Buddhist holy days and their significance in Sri Lanka. In the last two chapters he explores the colorful tovil and bali rituals and the practice of deva-worship, two originally non-Buddhist practices that have been assimilated into popular Buddhism in Sri Lanka. [From the back cover]

A collection of biographical sketches, including stories of Khema of Great Wisdom; Kisagotami, the mother with the dead child; Nanda, the Buddha's half-sister; and Patacara, the preserver of the Vinaya.

A simple and practical guide to the use of the meditation phrase, buddho, which is used to settle the mind to the point at which discernment can begin to arise.

This talk, given in the last year of Ajaan Lee's life, is one of the nine for which we have transcripts from the tapes -- and one of the four for which the tapes are still extant. It's a very unusual talk, showing his distinctive humor and style, and providing a lively discussion of the ways in which the concepts of "self" and "not-self" actually function in practice.

An anthology of passages from the Samyutta Nikaya and other texts concerning the Buddha's teachings on vedana (feeling).

A talk given the last day of the celebration of the new ordination hall at Wat Asokaram. This was the last talk that Ajaan Lee gave to his assembled students, supporters, and friends.

Ajaan Lee explains how the secret of developing wisdom lies in learning to use our defilements to our advantage. "An outstanding person," says Ajaan Lee, "takes bad things and makes them good."

When we sit down to meditate we usually bring along a host of assumptions about what our perceptions are, what our experience of meditation is like, and what it should be. As meditators, our task is to learn to ask the right questions -- questions that will help us break through layer after layer of these false preconceived notions. This article, based on a Dhamma talk, is full of practical advice for meditators of all levels.

Contrary to the stated goal of some other currently popular eastern religions and practices, the Dhamma is not concerned with the attainment of a state of "non-dualism," a condition in which the barriers between "self" and "other," or samsara and nibbana, finally dissolve. Nor do the teachings espouse "dualism" -- or, for that matter, any ism whatsoever. Rather, the teachings concern only suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.

In this short talk Ajaan Lee offers some very basic guidelines for laypeople and monastics, alike, on how to live correctly in line with the Buddha's teachings. The framework for the talk is the Ovada-patimokkha Gatha, a short verse traditionally recited during Magha Puja, the full-moon day in February.

Some contemporary teachers have claimed that the question of rebirth is extraneous to the core teachings of Buddhism. In fact, the notion of kamma and rebirth forms a central defining principle at the very heart of all the Buddha's teachings.

Six talks on meditation practice. This collection has also been published under the title Directing to Self-penetration.

A translation of the Bhikkhuni Samyutta (Chapter 5 of the Samyutta Nikaya), consisting of ten suttas that describe Mara's failed attempts to upset the equanimity and resolve of meditating forest nuns. With Introduction and detailed notes.

A talk given at the start of a meditation session, in which Ajaan Suwat explains how to strenghten mindfulness and develop the disenchantment needed for discernment to arise. An excellent introduction to the contemplation of the 32 parts of the body.

During the rains retreat of 1960 -- his last -- Ajaan Lee gave this exhortation to the monks and novices, calling on them to fulfill their duties as monastics. While acknowledging that the Thai ecclesiastical system spells out specific practical monastic duties, Ajaan Lee here elevates those duties to a higher goal: the training of the heart.

In this short essay the author explains the role of emptiness in the practice of meditation.

Four discourses by the Buddha that are of particular value to laypeople: the Sigalovada, Maha-mangala, Parabhava, and Vyagghapajja suttas.

These ten talks were given to bhikkhus at Ajaan Chah's monastery in Thailand and contain a wealth of insight and humor into all aspects of Dhamma practice. Much of this material, however, is probably more accessible to long-term students, rather than to newcomers to meditation.

These are short (2 or 3 page) excerpts from Ajaan Lee's talks, offering introductory reflections on the ultimate meaning and worth of Buddhist practice.

A personal appreciation for the life and work of the late Ven. Nyanaponika Mahathera (1901-1994), who served as founder, editor, president and, most recently, Patron of the BPS.

This talk was given to a group of temporary monks, who ordained for the three month long Rains Retreat, following an ancient Thai tradition.

An introduction of the four foundations of mindfulness from the perspective of breath meditation.

Since the beginning of time human beings have lived in fear: fear of change, of loss, of death. Unfortunately, as we see played out on the world stage today, people have learned a host of unskillful ways to deal with fear. The author writes: "The most unskillful response to fear is when, perceiving dangers to our own life or property, we believe that we can gain strength and security by destroying the lives and property of others." In this essay the author describes the Buddha's prescription for overcoming fear once and for all, by uprooting its very cause.

Although the Buddha teaches that clinging leads to suffering, there are some things -- most significantly, Right View -- that he insists are worth holding onto until we reach the end of the path.

A fine collection of short verses from the suttas, arranged according to subject matter. Students whose only familiarity with Buddhist verse comes from reading the ever-popular Dhammapada will find in this collection some inspiring and rewarding new material, drawn from all corners of the Sutta Pitaka.

The Buddha's teachings offer a profound hope that can help erase the despair and cynicism that are rampant in today's world. For Buddhism teaches that each of us is personally responsible for the moral choices we make; by those choices each of us is capable of bringing to our lives unsurpassed dignity, autonomy, and freedom.

These are new translations from the original Thai of four talks delivered by Kee Nanayon in 1970. Earlier translations of these talks have been published many times previously, under the titles Directing to Self-penetration and Directions for Insight.

An excellent introduction to the purpose, meaning, and fruits of taking refuge in the Triple Gem and of observing the precepts.

A compelling essay in which a remarkable novice monk reflects on the reasons for adopting the homeless life. The author was among the first Westerners to seek Theravada ordination. He was ordained in 1906 in Sri Lanka under the tutelage of Ven. Nyanatiloka Thera, and died in 1910.

In 1956, the Venerable Buddhadasa Bhikkhu gave a series of lectures to a group of prospective judges, which were subsequently edited and arranged into what became The Handbook for Mankind. Since then, the success of this small book has been astounding. Well over 100,000 copies have been printed in Thai, and the book still enjoys widespread popularity, more than three decades after the original talks. The reason for the "Handbook's" duration is clear: that the Venerable Buddhadasa offers fresh insights into a timeless Truth (Dhamma), in the direct and simple manner that characterizes all his teaching. The clarity of his insight brings the Dhamma to life, so that today, a new generation of readers, not yet born at the time of these talks, can find meaning in his words.

Three short essays on practice composed during Ajaan Lee's hospital stay about a year before his death. They were intended as food for thought for hospital patients to ponder while undergoing treatment, but are equally inspiring to those of us who are temporarily healthy.

Ten Dhamma talks from a meditation retreat at Pelmadulla Bhikkhu Training Centre, Sri Lanka.

These sixteen short pieces were reconstructed from notes taken by a lay disciple who attended Ajaan Lee's talks. Most deal with some particular aspect of breath meditation, some deal with the underlying values of practice, and all offer valuable advice to the student of meditation.

An invitation and introductiion to the Therigatha (Verses of the Elder Nuns), which many students and practitioners regard as among the most deeply inspiring stories in the entire Pali Canon.

An exploration of the teachings of dhammavicaya (investigation-of-dhammas), a key factor to be developed in the cultivation of insight.

Four Jataka Tales: Apannaka Jataka (Crossing the Wilderness, Jat 1); Serivavanija Jataka (The Traders of Seriva, Jat 3); Matakabhatta Jataka (The Goat that Laughed and Wept, Jat 18); Kuhaka Jataka (The Straw Worth More Than Gold, Jat 89).

Three Jataka tales: Illisa Jataka (The Miserly Treasurer, Jat 78); Kalakanni Jataka (What's in a name?, Jat 83); Mahasara Jataka (The Queen's Necklace, Jat 92).

Four Jataka tales: Kumbha Jataka (The Fifth Precept, Jat 512); Silanisamsa Jataka (A Good Friend, Jat 190); Duddubha Jataka (The Sound the Hare Heard, Jat 322); Mahakapi Jataka (The Great Monkey King, Jat 407).

In this famous and important discourse the Buddha sets forth a standard by which a seeker can evaluate any spiritual path. With preface and supplementary texts. (For an illuminating commentary on this sutta, see Bhikkhu Bodhi's essay, "A Look at the Kalama Sutta.")

This short introductory essay explains the nature of karma (Pali: kamma), or willful action. The process of karma is a complex interplay between the fruits of our past actions (over which we have no control in the present) and the choices we make in the present moment; it is not a convenient justification for the misfortune of others ("Oh, it's just their karma!").

A complete handbook for breath meditators, full of detailed practical instructions for the development of concentration and insight.

This was transcribed from one of Ajaan Lee's few tape recorded talks, delivered six months before he passed away, and covers the eight classical forms of knowledge and skill (vijja) that come from the practice of concentration. This is vintage Ajaan Lee, with some wonderfully colorful images to illustrate his points. For example: If you can't grasp the Dhamma, it's because your ears -- and your heart -- are full of earwax. Clean 'em out!

In a world fraught with violence, the Buddha's ancient advice is just as relevant today: "Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not slay or incite others to slay."

Did the Buddha focus on suffering because he was a pessimist? Did he really say that life is suffering? Or was he a realist with something much more useful to say?

A beautiful outline of how meditation can be be used to help take good care of this rare treasure we've all been given: birth as a human being.

Nine talks by Ajaan Chah. Highlights: "Our Real Home" and "Tuccho Pothila (Venerable Empty-Scripture)," a humorous and penetrating reminder that the real practice of Dhamma lies within.

The Venerable Maha Kaccana was one of the foremost disciples of the Buddha, appointed by the Awakened One as the monk most skilled in explaining in detail the meaning of his own brief utterances. Often the other monks turned to Maha Kaccana for help in clarifying the meaning of the Buddha's condensed statements, and thus we find in the Pali Canon a sheaf of suttas, all of great importance, spoken by this eminent disciple. [This book] offers a short biographical sketch of the Venerable Maha Kaccana, followed by a more detailed survey of the discourses ascribed to him in the Pali Canon. These texts, always methodically refined and analytically precise, help to bring to light the far-ranging implications and profund relevance of the liberating teachings of the Buddha. [From the back cover]

Biography of the Buddha's disciple best known for his meditative powers.

A collection of short passages excerpted from talks printed in a book distributed at Ajaan Khamdee's funeral in 1985.

Translation from Sanskrit of a beautiful 1st century Indian devotional poem on the virtues of the Buddha.

An exploration of the Buddhist notion of anatta -- "not-self."

It was the sight of the four "divine messegers" -- an old man, a sick man, a corpse, and a wandering ascetic -- that propelled the young Bodhisatta from his complacent and luxurious princely life into the homeless life of a serious seeker of spiritual freedom. Then as now, these messengers appear all around us, not merely to incite us to discover how to cope with life's difficulties and dangers, but to inspire us to transcend them once and for all.

Despite the glowing promises and forecasts of technologists, economists, and business leaders, we inhabitants of the emerging global marketplace have not yet found in technology any relief from our most basic ills: greed, violence, and meaninglessness. The only possible remedy to these ancient problems lies in our individual capacity to transform ourselves, to uproot the causes of our suffering once and for all.

A practical introduction to metta (loving-kindness) meditation, including a translation of the Karaniya Metta Sutta and a discussion of the fruits and power of metta practice.

An introduction to the Buddha's teachings on illness and death, drawn from the Pali Canon.

This short essay sketches the use of fire imagery in early Buddhism to describe Nibbana, the goal of Buddhist practice.

Are the Buddhist teachings of not-self (anatta) to be taken as statements of metaphysical truth, or as a teaching device to assist the practitioner in reaching the final goal, which lies altogether outside the realm of "self" or "not-self"? As this compelling essay reveals, a careful look at the canonical teachings suggests the latter.

Four essays concerning the role of Buddhist ethics, not as a guide to interpersonal relations and social action, but as an integral part of the quest for purification and liberation.

Eight essays: "A Layman's Happiness," "The Mechanics of Bondage and Suffering," "Understanding and Managing Stress," "The Buddhist Attitude to Gain and Honor," "Livelihood and Development," "Facing Death Without Fear," "The Human Body," and "Sensualistic Social Trends and Buddhism in Modern Times."

A powerful and stirring talk given to a lay disciple on the verge of her death. This is among Ajaan Chah's best talks on the topics of illness, death, and relinquishment.

A stirring talk given to a lay disciple approaching her death.

How mindfulness practice can serve as a powerful means of protecting oneself and others from harm.

A collection of short excerpts from talks that were originally printed in Thailand in 1973, in honor of Upasika Kee's 72nd birthday. This sampler nicely sketches an outline of her teachings on meditation and on the development of a mind free from attachment.

What does it mean to "purify" the mind, and how is it accomplished?

The Buddha wasn't the sort of teacher who simply answered questions. He also taught which questions to ask." So begins the author, who explains here how the essence of Buddhist practice consists in learning how to ask skillful questions.

Four brief but penetrating reflections on Buddhist practice, by one particularly lively writer. A taste: "The fundamental teachings must not be neglected, lest we take to wearing our religion like warm slippers and doze into mediocrity."

Nine short excerpts from talks, concerning the development of skillfullness in reading and training one's own mind.

What does it mean to seek refuge in the Buddha?

On the vital role renunciation plays in Dhamma practice, for lay people and monastics, alike.

In this short Dhamma talk, recorded in Thailand in 1991, Ajaan Suwat gives a concise summary of many essential points of meditation practice. This talk is remarkable in that it can serve equally well as a newcomer's introduction to meditation practice and as a refresher for experienced meditators. At every stage in meditation practice, success depends on cultivating the correct attitude of mind.

For many of us, right speech is the most difficult of the precepts to honor. Yet practicing right speech is fundamental both to helping us become trustworthy individuals and to helping us gain mastery over the mind. So choose your words -- and your motives for speaking -- with care.

Is samsara (the wearisome "wandering-on" from birth to death to rebirth) a place, or is it the process by which we create and re-create our own suffering? Here the author likens samsara to an addiction that we can choose to give up -- or not. Which one shall it be?

How can the path of practice, which is fabricated, ever hope to deliver us to the goal -- nibbana -- which is itself unfabricated? A striking analogy from modern chaos theory helps untangle this ancient paradox.

A fine sampler of short suttas from the Sutta Nipata, spanning a wide range of topics, including: good conduct and bad, the Buddha's battle with Mara, cultivation of right view, the simile of the boat, etc. Some are formal sermons, some take the form of question-and-answer sessions between the Buddha and several brahmans of the day, and some are simply short inspirational passages.

Much of our unhappiness arises from a dissatisfaction with our sense of who we are, so we quite naturally seek remedies that attempt to fill the void. What the Dhamma offers is something more: the opportunity to transcend self altogether, thereby freeing ourselves once and for all from its constrictive tyranny.

In this short (and occasionally hilarious) talk, Ajaan Lee offers some encouraging advice on how to turn the mind into a dwelling that's truly worth living in. Reconstructed from notes of a talk given on September 28 1958.

Two short talks on the practice of meditation: The first describes the use of the meditation-word "Buddho" to develop mental tranquillity; the second reminds us of the urgency of meditation practice and offers advice on how to resist the mind's many tempting tricks that might lure us away from practice.

A short handbook on the practice of meditation, with tips and recommendations for new and experienced meditators. Of particular interest is Ajaan Thate's discussion of how best to respond when visions and signs arise during the course of meditation practice.

A talk covering a variety of topics, all concerning the need for being observant in watching over the mind. Memorable quote: "People who are intelligent and discerning prefer criticism to praise. Stupid people prefer praise to criticism."

Why a meditator's first task is to begin to bring his or her beliefs in line with right view.

Where is genuine security to be found? How can we be freed, at last, from fear? A deva once asked the Buddha these questions; the Buddha's answer rings just as true today.

Among the most important -- and difficult -- challenges we face in our journey down the Buddhist path is a willingness to see ourselves as we truly are -- defilements and all. It is only with this kind of penetrating honesty about ourselves that we can begin to uproot the deep-seated habits of mind that lie at the root of our suffering.

An anthology of passages from the Pali Canon that reveal how the essence of Buddhist practice consists of learning how to tame skillfully the unruly tendencies of the mind and heart.

This lively book explores the important role played by the devas (divine beings) in the Pali suttas, with particular emphasis on the Buddha's role as their teacher.

A delightful reminiscence of a long life lived as a monk in the forests of Thailand. Highlights include: his encounters with various monks and seekers, ranging from scoundrels and charlatans to the great Ajaans, such as Ajaan Mun and Ajaan Sao; his descriptions of some of the wrong turns he made during the course of his meditation practice over the years; how he fulfilled his duties as a son by teaching Dhamma to his mother right up to the end of her life. The book is an enjoyable read, filled with some lovely gems of Dhamma.

Fascinating account of Ajaan Lee's life, which he dictated from his hospital bed a year before his death. Highlights include: Ajaan Lee's retelling of a long and elaborate fantasy he had as a young monk that erased, once and for all, any doubts about his choice to live as a monk; several compelling stories of the supranatural, often involving the mysterious appearance and disappearance of Buddha relics; and his poignant explanation of why he always preferred to live in the forest.

Our progress in the Dhamma depends in part on the degree to which we can develop within ourselves the twin virtues of renunciation and compassion.

This poem, composed sometime in the 1930's, is one of the few known written teachings left to us by Ajaan Mun.

This book provides a very readable summary of the bhikkhus' (monks') rules, with a particular emphasis on giving laypeople a better understanding of the monks' way of life. Included also are questions-and-answers concerning the proper etiquette for laypeople when in the company of monks (how and when to bow, how to offer food or other requisites, etc.), examples of the particular customs and rules of etiquette that apply at specific Theravada monasteries, and a wealth of other valuable information.

An ancient anthology of paritta (protection) suttas translated into English: discourses of the Buddha commonly recited for protection against fear, illness, and misfortune. An introductory essay explains the value of paritta recitation for physical and mental health.

Translations of four key suttas from the Majjhima Nikaya concerning volitional action (kamma).

What is the role of studying the Buddhist scriptures in pursuing the Buddha's path to Awakening? In fact, careful study of the suttas is essential if we are to develop a correct understanding of the Buddha's teachings.

This talk, given in the last year of Ajaan Lee's life, is one of the nine for which we have transcripts from the tapes -- and one of the four for which the tapes are still extant. It's a very unusual talk, showing his distinctive humor and style, and providing a lively discussion of the ways in which the concepts of "self" and "not-self" actually function in practice.

One popular theory today maintains that the Buddha's teachings have survived all these years thanks to Buddhism's ability to adapt to the customs of whatever culture it finds itself at a particular moment in history. The history of the Thai forest kammatthana tradition, however, offers a striking counterexample to this notion. As the author argues in this essay, history has shown that the true Dhamma survives only when people have been willing to adapt their own customs and habits so as to meet the Dhamma face-to-face, on its own terms.

A wide-ranging collection of formal Dhamma talks and informal question-and-answer sessions, directed to a group of lay followers in London. Here you will find this memorable exchange, among many others: A questioner asked, "I would like to ask if people can practice meditation in a city like this [London]?" Maha Boowa replied, "Only the dead cannot practice meditation."

Translation of the Sammaditthi Sutta (Majjhima Nikaya 9) and its Commentary. This discourse by Ven. Sariputta explains many aspects of kamma, the Four Noble Truths, and dependent arising.

Translations of a number of the edicts carved in pillars and rocks by the great Buddhist Indian King Asoka during the 3rd century BCE.

An overview of some of the methods the Buddha taught to overcome anger.

The Venerable Webu Sayadaw of Myanmar (Burma) was one of the greatest Theravada Buddhist meditation masters of recent times. An exemplar of the strict and simple meditative life, he constantly stresses to his disciples the need to tread the Buddha's path to its final goal right here and now, in this precious but fleeting human existence. The vehicle he chose for his own practice was Anapanasati, mindfulness of breathing, and he constantly called this the direct short cut to Nibbana. The discourses included in the present book were translated from talks he gave to groups of lay disciples in the Burmese countryside. Again and again, the master hammers home the point that the only worthy aim of human life is the attainment of Nibbana by practice of the Buddha's teaching. And again and again he tells us that this entire practice lies literally right in front of our noses. Translated from the Burmese original, these discourses give us not only access to the mind of a wise and compassionate teacher, but also a direct glimpse into living Buddhism as it is practiced in rural Southeast Asia. [From the back cover]

The Venerable Webu Sayadaw of Myanmar (Burma) was one of the greatest Theravada Buddhist meditation masters of recent times. An exemplar of the strict and simple meditative life, he constantly stresses to his disciples the need to tread the Buddha's path to its final goal right here and now, in this precious but fleeting human existence. The vehicle he chose for his own practice was Anapanasati, mindfulness of breathing, and he constantly called this the direct short cut to Nibbana. The discourses included in the present book were translated from talks he gave to groups of lay disciples in the Burmese countryside. Again and again, the master hammers home the point that the only worthy aim of human life is the attainment of Nibbana by practice of the Buddha's teaching. And again and again he tells us that this entire practice lies literally right in front of our noses. Translated from the Burmese original, these discourses give us not only access to the mind of a wise and compassionate teacher, but also a direct glimpse into living Buddhism as it is practiced in rural Southeast Asia. [From the back cover]

An outline of the vipassana meditation practice as taught by U Ba Khin, S.N. Goenka, etc.

Eight short fragments drawn from Ajaan Mun's sermons given during the last two years of his life. These fragments were originally appended to the book A Heart Released as part of a commemorative volume distributed at Phra Ajaan Mun's cremation in 1950. The selections included here comprise all of the passages dealing directly with the practice of virtue and meditation.

This anthology serves as an excellent starting point for newcomers to Ajaan Lee's teachings.

An anthology of excerpts from the suttas and the Commentaries that address how to deal with the hindrances (sense desire, ill-will, sloth and torpor, restlessness and remorse, and doubt) when they arise in the mind.

An introduction to the five indriya, or spiritual faculties (faith, energy, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom), and their role in the practice of Dhamma.

This small booklet was compiled and edited from talks given by Venerable Ajahn Sumedho on the central teaching of the Buddha: that the unhappiness of humanity can be overcome through spiritual means. The teaching is conveyed through the Buddha's Four Noble Truths, first expounded in 528 B.C. in the Deer Park at Saranath near Varanasi and kept alive in the Buddhist world ever since.

A series of short but illuminating reflections on the development of the four brahmavihara ("sublime states" or "divine abidings": love, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity) and the role they play in meditative practice.

An introduction to the two mental qualities that serve as safeguards of our morality, protecting both ourselves and the world around us from harm: hiri, an innate conscience or sense of shame over doing wrong, and ottappa, a fear of the consequences of wrongdoing.

Many people today have come to the Buddha's teachings in search of emotional and spiritual healing. In this short essay the author reminds us that the single most effective tool for healing a wounded heart may be found in the cultivation of sila, or virtuous conduct.

A helpful practical manual for lay Buddhists covering devotional practice (bowing, setting up a shrine room, etc.), uposatha day observances, lay precepts, and basic meditation techniques.

A biography of the "Marshal of the Dhamma," the Buddha's chief disciple, whom the Buddha praised for his deep wisdom, humility, patience, and forbearance.

The Shorter Discourse on the Lion's Roar (MN 11) deals with the delicate question of whether different spiritual paths all lead to the same ultimate goal. If not, the question arises of defining the critical line that distinguishes them, and it is this question that the Buddha attempts to answer in this sutta. The Great Discourse on the Lion's Roar (MN 12) is a text of awesome scope and power in which the Buddha discloses the greatness and loftiness of his own spiritual endowments. Spoken as a rebuttal to the charges of a renegade disciple, the sutta has had such a powerful impact that in ancient times it was also known as "The Hair-Raising Discourse." [From the back cover]

An invitation to the Dhammapada, Buddhism's most important collection of short inspirational verses.

Although the Buddha's Awakening took place long ago in ancient India, the fact of his Awakening is very much alive today and has profound implications for how we approach Buddhist practice. In this essay the author explores both the What and the How of the Buddha's Awakening: what he awakened to and how he did it.

What is "noble" about the Four Noble Truths?

Using simple and clear language, the author presents a concise yet thorough explanation of the Eightfold Path, the practical method the Buddha prescribed to uproot and eliminate the underlying causes of suffering. Basing himself solidly upon the Buddha's own words, the author examines each factor of the path to determine exactly what it implies in the way of practical training. Finally, in the concluding chapter, he shows how all eight factors of the path function together to bring about the realization of the Buddhist goal: enlightenment and liberation.

This essay offers a detailed analysis of the Eightfold Path, with practical applications to breath meditation.

An exploration of the contribution that the Buddhist teachings have had in improving the social standing of women in largely male-dominated Asian culture.

How a king can make peace with his enemies and bring peace to his kingdom. In this brief talk Ajaan Lee retells an old story that illustrates the power of goodness that ensues from the practice of metta (good will or loving-kindness).

Dhamma practice is all about cultivating one's inner goodness. In this handful of memorable stories, Ajaan Lee reminds us to seize every available opportunity to develop that inner wealth. Although we may not see the results right away, we should never underestimate its far-reaching benefits!

Dana -- the Pali word means giving, generosity, self-sacrifice: the quality of the heart that moves a person to give away his or her own possessions for the sake of others. Giving in Buddhism is not a mere moral virtue to be randomly engaged in or followed as an obligatory duty. It is, rather, an aspect of training, a means of practice, by which a spiritual aspirant learns to overcome selfishness and attachment and to express a compassionate concern for the welfare of others. In this Wheel booklet four practicing Buddhists of today (Susan Elbaum Jootla, Lily de Silva, M.O'C. Walshe, and Nina van Gorkom), and one classical Buddhist commentator (Acariya Dhammapala), set forth their understanding of giving and examine it in relation to the wider body of Dhamma practice. The writers demonstrate the great range of the Buddhist practice of giving and its vital connections with the quest for enlightenment and final liberation from suffering. [From the back cover]

We all yearn for happiness and concord, yet much of the world seems bound up in fear, aggression, and conflict. While we as individuals cannot hope to cure the world's problems overnight, there is still a great deal we can do that is of immediate help and immeasurably powerful: conduct our own lives with kindness and compassion.

Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw, the late Burmese meditation master, helped to spearhead the modern popular revival of satipatthana (mindfulness) meditation. Having combined extensive knowledge of the Buddhist scriptures with practical experience, he organized the complex workings of mindfulness meditation into a systematic method that is now widely taught and practiced at lay retreat centers around the world.

In a world that is increasingly dominated by the wonders of scientific progress and the lure of technological innovation, we can easily lose touch with that vital human drive to seek an ultimate, transcendent meaning to life. The Buddha's teachings offer both that transcendent goal towards which we can aim our lives, and a practical method of reaching it.

Translation of the Vitakkasanthana Sutta (Majjhima Nikaya 20) and its Commentary (the Papañcasudani).

According to the basic principle of karma, our underlying intentions play a crucial role in determining the ultimate fruits of our actions. As the author explains in this essay, if we're genuinely interested in pursuing the goal of the Buddha's teachings, it's not enough that we act merely with good intentions; rather, we must learn, through honest self-reflection and association with virtuous and wise friends, to cultivate skillfulness in our intentions.

The search for happiness is one of our basic drives. Even more fundamental, however, is our yearning for genuine security -- security from the dangers and sorrows of life. The Buddha's teachings offers us precisely this -- in the unparalleled security of Nibbana -- as well as the practical means necessary to deliver us there.

Translations of two important suttas (Majjhima Nikaya 7 and 8) on the purification of mind, with introductions and extensive notes.

A fascinating and wide-ranging collection of short talks and fragments of talks given by Ajaan Lee to his disciples. Many of these talks have never before appeared in English translation. These passages span the full territory of meditation practice -- from basic moral conduct to final release -- and tend to orbit around the two general themes which recur through all of Ajaan Lee's teaching: that Buddhist life is a skill to be cultivated, and that breath meditation is a superb tool for cultivating that skill. Although the passages are arranged thematically in this book, some readers may prefer simply to open to a page at random and savor whatever gem is discovered. Highly recommended for students of all levels of experience.

What is true freedom, and where can it be found? These questions have haunted humanity since the beginning of time, and are still with us today. The Buddha's teachings offer us a practical solution to this all-important riddle.

Although Buddhism is beginning to take root in the West, it shows serious signs of decline in parts of Asia, largely because it is dismissed as irrelevant by many of the youth in Asian society, who regard it as merely a symbol of cultural and ethnic identity. Here the author reminds his Asian audience that in order for the Buddha's teachings to be passed on to the next generation, we must be willing to put them earnestly into practice ourselves, thus setting an example of kindness and compassion that society so sorely needs today.

An introduction to the five spiritual faculties (indriya) -- faith, effort, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom -- with an anthology of related classical texts translated from Pali and Sanskrit.

Why do we keep creating suffering for ourselves? How do we bring it to an end? The key is to learn some better feeding habits for the mind.

A vivid and detailed commentary and interpretation of early Buddhist paintings that depict the Wheel of Samsara (death and rebirth).

Reflections on the Uraga Sutta, an ancient Buddhist poem that compares one who abandons unskillful qualities of mind to a snake that sheds its skin.

These extemporaneous talks were delivered to the monks living at Ajaan Maha Boowa's monastery. There is much valuable Dhamma teaching here for all meditators, monastic and lay alike. In these talks Ajaan Maha Boowa often recounts conversations with his teacher, Ajaan Mun, that reveal the power and depth of Ajaan Mun's teachings and of the teachings of the forest tradition in general.

Translations of three essential suttas from the Pali Canon: the first sermon (Dhammacakkappavattana sutta), the Discourse on Not-self (Anattalakkhana sutta), and the Fire Sermon (Adittapariyaya sutta). With Introduction and extensive notes.

Encouragement and advice for people getting started in concentration practice.

Meditation isn't about "getting" things; it's about letting go. We can't let go of the darkness and delusion in our minds; it has to be dispersed by light -- the light of clear-seeing discernment that we cultivate through meditation.

An inspiring dialogue on the subject of how to keep the fire of Dhamma practice burning brightly in one's life.

Two short essays: the first describes an imagined stroll through the cemetery, calling on us to reflect deeply on the nature of our lives, and on the urgency of Dhamma practice; the second reminds us that there is no point in waiting for an "ideal" time to start Dhamma practice, for aging, illness, and death are upon us now.

This book is really two books in one. The first part contains a collection of talks by Ajaan Maha Boowa (many of which were previously published in the book Amata Dhamma). Most of these talks were given for the benefit of an ill lay disciple of Ajaan Maha Boowa, Mrs. Pow-panga Vathanakul, and thus touch on many aspects of Dhamma practice concerning life, illness, and death. The second part of the book is a collection of Dhamma talks by Upasika Kee Nanayon, an extraordinary woman who was renowned for the depth of her meditation practice and her unwavering commitment to the Dhamma. These talks have been published previously as Directions for Insight and Directing to Self-penetration; the last four of them have recently been retranslated and published in the anthology, An Unentangled Knowing. The present book stands as a powerful reminder of the universality of the Dhamma, a reminder that the door to liberation awaits all those who would put forth the effort, without regard to race, age, or gender.

An urgent question for the world today is how followers of one religious tradition can live in harmony with those who practice another, without compromising the integrity of their own tradition. The Buddha's teachings of tolerance strike a delicate and wise balance that avoid the perilous extremes of intolerant fundamentalism on the one hand, and an "all-roads-lead-up-the-same-mountain" universalism on the other.

A Theravada Buddhist response to Pope John Paul II's 1994 book Crossing the Threshold of Hope, which was unabashedly critical of -- and remarkably ill-informed about -- the Buddhist religion. Bhikkhu Bodhi here skillfully avoids any discussion of possible motives for the Pope's demeaning treatment of Buddhism, and instead addresses the specific doctrinal points that were raised in the book.

Which would you rather have: an unquenchable thirst for sense-gratification, or a stable, true, and lasting happiness? The choice is yours.

The seldom-studied Upanisa Sutta contains an important alternative presentation of the principle of dependent arising, offering a "roadmap" of the entire path of practice as it progresses towards final liberation.

How do we reconcile the apparent contradiction that Buddhism is, on the one hand, a "religious" path calling for both faith and devotion and, on the other hand, a path of rational and critical inquiry?

In this essay, Thanissaro Bhikkhu examines the social milieu in which Upasika Kee lived and practiced her life of Dhamma. As he points out, the true practice of Buddhism has always gone against the stream of popular culture; a woman following the Buddha's path faces a particularly strong counter-current. It is little wonder, then, that Upasika Kee is rarely mentioned in Thai histories of Buddhism, for her path, like that of many other great masters before her who practiced, taught, and died in the forest, is one that leads to a goal that cannot be measured or praised in conventional social terms.

This fascinating essay explores the relationship between Vedanta and Buddhism, two great monuments of philosophical thought which grew side-by-side in the same spiritual soil of ancient India. Though these two philosophies share some obvious similarities, they part ways in their fundamentally divergent notions of "self" (atta) and of the ultimate goal of spiritual practice.

Bhikkhu Bodhi recounts with fond appreciation his years with the late Ven. Ananda Maitreya (1896-1998), Sri Lanka's highest-ranking and widely-venerated scholar-monk. (Also included: a newspaper account of the state funeral for Ven. Ananda Maitreya.)

This essay explores the roots of violence in human society, and reveals how the Buddhist teachings of non-violence are just as applicable today as they were in the Buddha's day.

A talk given at Wat Asokaram in 1956 on Visakha Puja, the observance day that commemorates the birth, Awakening, and final passing away of the Buddha.

The key to keeping on-course on the Buddhist path lies in one's ability to persevere with the methodical and routine practice of meditation and mental cultivation, without losing sight of the ultimate, transcendent goal of the practice.

Where can we find encouragement to progress towards our spiritual goals when we live immersed in a consumer-driven world that places such high value on material achievement? The Buddha's teachings here come to our aid, with advice ranging from how laypeople can live in harmony with their wealth, to his encouragement that we at least consider making the great renunciation that monastics have found to be of such incalculable support.

Here Ajaan Lee discusses the nature of the Triple Gem and explores in detail how going for refuge serves to develop the factors in the heart that are necessary for Awakening. (Originally published with Basic Themes.)

A compelling introduction to the way of life for a meditating forest monk in Thailand.

These two short essays invite us to reflect constantly on the certainty of our own death and on the urgency of putting the Buddha's teachings into practice today, while we can still enjoy this precious human birth. For, "truly it will be not long before this body lies in the earth, bereft of consciousness, like a useless piece of wood, which is thrown away."


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