Living with Awareness: A Guide to the Satipatthana Sutta

by Sangharakshita

In this commentary, Sangharakshita counsels against an over-narrow interpretation of mindfulness as being simply about developing a focused attention on the present moment.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Spirituality

200 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2004

About the author

Sangharakshita was born Dennis Lingwood in South London, in 1925. Largely self-educated, he developed an interest in the cultures and philosophies of the East early on, and realized that he was a Buddhist at the age of sixteen.

The Second World War took him, as a conscript, to India, where he stayed on to become the Buddhist monk Sangharakshita. After studying for some years under leading teachers from the major Buddhist traditions, he went on to teach and write extensively. He also played a key part in the revival of Buddhism in India, particularly through his work among followers of Dr B.R. Ambedkar.

After twenty years in the East, he returned to England to establish the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order in 1967, and the Western Buddhist Order in 1968 (now known as the Triratna Buddhist Community and the Triratna Buddhist Order respectively).

Sangharakshita has always particularly emphasized the decisive significance of commitment in the spiritual life, the paramount value of spiritual friendship and community, the link between religion and art, and the need for a ‘new society’ supportive of spiritual aspirations and ideas.

In recent years Sangharakshita has been handing on most of his responsibilities to his senior disciples in the Order. Based at the Adhisthana retreat centre in Herefordshire UK, he is now focusing on personal contact with people. For more, go to www.sangharakshita.org.

A collection of 27 volumes will represent the definitive edition of his life’s work as a Buddhist writer and teacher. Find out more about The Complete Works of Sangharakshita

A series of talks by Sangharakshita: ‘Launch of The Essential Sangharakshita and Living Ethically’.

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book aloud to my partner in the morning before meditation, the second time I read it. It's amazing on many many levels. It anticipates Ratnaguna's book on reflection. It lays out his essential teachings in so many ways. Sangharakshita is a genius. He wrote the survey in 1947, and he's still cranking them out. Of course this book was based on his seminars on the Satipatthana Sutta, so they're really edited, and then he approved of them, so maybe he added in more and whatnot. Quite amazing book. I'll put that up there with my 5 favorite Sangharakshita: A Survey of Buddhism, Know Your Mind, The Yogi's Joy and Three Jewels. Of course if you're new to him, I'd read The Essential Sangharakshita, then branch out there, but follow your interests as always.

[Liam]

Treatment of sense inputs resonant. Takes on art and exercise less so. Still far away from reconciling the man/teachings/order.