Guide through the Visuddhimagga

Guide through the Visuddhimagga
Author: U Dhammaratana
Publisher: Buddhist Publication Society
Total Pages: 121
Release: 2011-01-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 955240357X

Meditation is an essential part of the Buddhist way of life and Buddhist meditation practices cannot be explained apart from the fundamental doctrines of Buddhism. Buddhaghosa, the author of the Visuddhimagga (The Path of Purification), gave elaborate expositions of these fundamental doctrines. As such his work has served not only as a manual of meditation but also as the standard work on Theravada Buddhism as a whole. No other school of Buddhism has handed down to us a work of such importance. Therefore the Visuddhimagga occupies a unique position in the field of Buddhism in particular and the religious literature of the world in general. What is to the advantage of the scholar is sometimes to the disadvantage of the layman. While going through the elaborate explanations of a certain topic in the Visuddhimagga, one is liable to lose its thread and become confused. This book gives a clear outline of the system and its essential points so that the details can be understood without much difficulty.

The Progress of Insight

The Progress of Insight
Author: Mahasi Sayadaw
Publisher: Buddhist Publication Society
Total Pages: 64
Release: 1994
Genre: Meditation
ISBN: 9552400902

The practice of Vipassana or insight meditation was described by the Buddha as the “direct way” for the overcoming of all sorrow and grief and for realizing Nibbana, the state of perfect liberation from suffering. The essence of this practice consists in the four foundations of mindfulness: mindful contemplation of the body, feelings, states of mind, and mind objects.

Buddho

Buddho
Author: Venerable Acariya Thoon Khippapanyo
Publisher: San Fran Dhammaram Temple
Total Pages: 139
Release:
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN:

I have written this book, Buddho, so that readers will come to understand the correct meaning and use of the word “Buddho.” There are those who wrongly believe that by just reciting the word “Buddho” they are able to rid defilements and cravings (kilesa) from their minds, then expecting wisdom to arise which will enable them to realize how thing really are (the Truth). However, just reciting repetitiously the parikamma word “Buddho” does not make one reach purity of mind (citta) and gain Noble Fruitions, and Nibbana. The use of the word “Buddho” has two distinct applications in these Dhamma practices: Samatha (tranquility meditation) Vipassana (gaining wisdom) These two types of Dhamma practice, samatha and vipassana, have different purposes and ways to practice. You will know and understand those differences by reading this book. Please read with rational discernment and come to the correct understanding. Once you understand the correct meaning and use of “Buddho,” Dhamma practice will not be confusing. In your present life, if you have accumulated sufficient merit and virtue (parami), you shall reach one of the four stages of Noble Fruitions. If not, you will reincarnate in the era of the next Lord Buddha, Buddha Metteyya.” You will listen to his Dhamma, develop wisdom and see the Truth. You will reach the ultimate state of Nibbana, becoming an arahant. In the present life, consider yourself as a lucky person to become a Buddhist disciple. Do not let this good opportunity go by. Put forth great effort to practice Dhamma and strive to accumulate merit and virtue. If you miss this good opportunity in the present life, it is uncertain that you will reincarnate to become a Buddhist again as in the present life. In this life, you have responsibilities and work to do, so just keep doing them as your duty. As your special task, keep practicing Dhamma and accumulate virtue and merit, for these will go with you when you pass away from this world. It will be the benefit of life and your real treasure. Finally, my wish for you is that you gain discernment and wisdom to see the real view of the Truth in this present life. Phra Acariya Thoon Khippapanno

Swallowing the River Ganges

Swallowing the River Ganges
Author: Matthew Flickstein
Publisher: Wisdom Publications (MA)
Total Pages: 212
Release: 2001
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 9780861711789

A comprehensive practice guide to the great treatise of Theravadan Buddhism, the path to purification.

The Suttanipata

The Suttanipata
Author: Bodhi
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 1616
Release: 2017-09-26
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1614294542

This landmark volume in the Teachings of the Buddha series translates the Suttanipata, a text that matches the Dhammapada in its concise power and its centrality to the Buddhist tradition. Celebrated translator Bhikkhu Bodhi illuminates this text and its classical commentaries with elegant renderings and authoritative annotations. The Suttanipata, or “Group of Discourses” is a collection of discourses ascribed to the Buddha that includes some of the most popular suttas of the Pali Canon, among them the Discourse on Loving-Kindness Sutta. The suttas are primarily in verse, though several are in mixed prose and verse. The Suttanipata contains discourses that extol the figure of the muni, the illumined sage, who wanders homeless completely detached from the world. Other suttas, such as the Discourse on Downfall and the Discourse on Blessings, establish the foundations of Buddhist lay ethics. The last two chapters—the Atthakavagga (Chapter of Octads) and the Parayanavagga (The Way to the Beyond)—are considered to be among the most ancient parts of the Pali Canon. The Atthakavagga advocates a critical attitude toward views and doctrines. The Parayanavagga is a beautiful poem in which sixteen spiritual seekers travel across India to meet the Buddha and ask him profound questions pertaining to the highest goal. The commentary, the Paramatthajotika, relates the background story to each sutta and explains each verse in detail. The volume includes numerous excerpts from the Niddesa, an ancient commentary already included in the Pali Canon, which offers detailed expositions of each verse in the Atthakavagga, the Parayanavagga, and the Rhinoceros Horn Sutta. Translator Bhikkhu Bodhi provides an insightful, in-depth introduction, a guide to the individual suttas, extensive notes, a list of parallels to the discourses of the Suttanipata, and a list of the numerical sets mentioned in the commentaries.

Right Concentration

Right Concentration
Author: Leigh Brasington
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Total Pages: 257
Release: 2015-10-13
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 083480302X

A practical guidebook for meditators interested in achieving the states of bliss and deep focus associated with the Buddhist jhānas One of the elements of the Eightfold Path is Right Concentration: the one-pointedness of mind that, together with ethics, livelihood, meditation, and more, leads to the ultimate freedom from suffering. So how does one achieve Right Concentration? According to the Buddha himself, the jhānas—a series of eight progressive altered states of consciousness—are an essential method. But because the jhānas can usually be achieved only through prolonged meditation retreat, they have been shrouded in mystery for years. Not anymore. In Right Concentration, Leigh Brasington takes away the mystique and gives instructions on how to achieve them in plain, accessible language. He notes the various pitfalls to avoid along the way and provides a wealth of material on the theory of jhāna practice—all geared toward the practitioner rather than the scholar. As Brasington proves, these states of bliss and concentration are attainable by anyone who devotes the time and sincerity of practice necessary to realize them.

The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha

The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha
Author:
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 1936
Release: 2012-10-16
Genre: Literary Collections
ISBN: 1614290407

The present work offers a complete translation of the Aguttara Nikya, the fourth major collection in the Sutta Piṭaka, or Basket of Discourses, belonging to the Pali Canon

How to Meditate: A Beginner's Guide to Peace

How to Meditate: A Beginner's Guide to Peace
Author: Brother Noah Yuttadhammo
Publisher: Yuttadhammo Bhikkhu
Total Pages: 55
Release: 2010-08-30
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0557643910

Join with millions of people around the world in the practice of peace, happiness and freedom from suffering - the practice of meditation. In this book, you will find clear, simple instructions on an ancient meditation practice free from religious dogma or spiritual mumbo-jumbo; a practice that has helped generation after generation of ordinary people free themselves from all forms of mental and physical suffering.

The Path of Purification

The Path of Purification
Author: Buddhaghosa
Publisher: Buddhist Publication Society
Total Pages: 853
Release: 1991
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9552400236

The Visuddhimagga - here rendered Path of Purification systematically summarizes and interprets the teaching of the Buddha contained in the Pali Tipiṭaka. As the principal non-canonical authority of the Theraváda, it forms the hub of a complete and coherent method of exegesis of the Tipiṭaka, using the "Abhidhamma method" as it is called. It sets out detailed practical instructions for developing purification of mind.