Moving Dhamma Volume 1: The Path and Progress of Meditation using the Earliest Buddhist Suttas from Majjhima Nikaya

by Bhante Vimalaramsi, Jens Troeger (Illustrations), David C. Johnson (Compilation)

Just what did the Buddha teach? Most agree the Earliest Buddhist Suttas are the basis for his teachings. This book is a collection of transcripted and edited talks by Bhante Vimalaramsi, an American Buddhist 30 year monk. In it he goes through individual suttas and explains the meaning, and how one applies this to your meditation and enhances your general understanding of Buddhist Principles. Most importantly he focuses on the meditation practice. He gives detailed instructions and how to handle hindrances. He explains his method of the 6 'R's. Nibbana can be achieved here and now.He interprets the deeper meaning of the suttas and shows you what the Buddha really meant. He found a particular step that was left out. It made all the difference in the world. The word is Relax and the Pali word is "pasambayhm". When practiced this makes your practice go faster and deeper than ever before. Bhante spent 3 mos in a cave in Thailand, with a cobra no less, to try to understand just what the earliest suttas from the Pali Cannon actually teach you. He spent 20 years with many Burmese, Thai and Sri Lankan masters. Finally he just took a copy of the Majjhima Nikaya and went into the jungle to figure it out for himself. All of these talks are based on suttas from the Majjhima Nikaya translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi (Wisdom Publications - 1995).

Genres: Nonfiction

358 pages, Paperback

First published November 13, 2012

Reviews

[Chetan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadhu! I am eternally grateful to this author for giving me a gift I didn't know I needed.

What's so special about Bhante Vimalaramsi and is his works is that they included a small puzzle piece to my meditation that I didn't know I was missing. As someone who has practiced meditation for over half a decade now. Reading something that would change my view on its head is something I didn't expect was possible.

It was Bhante Vimalaramsi's 6 step-method of getting rid of craving (the nivaranas), especially the steps of relaxing and re-smiling. The first time I read them I had a eureka moment, I had to sit down for meditation almost immediately. The 6Rs helped me quickly progress through the rupa jhanas and beyond in a fairly short time. This has done wonders for my understanding of dhamma, Bhante's method is so wonderful. This went so fast I was compelled to book myself a retreat with him just to learn more and get to the deepest end of this dhamma.

[Azjargal (Azaa) Gankhuyag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful, well written book about Dhamma. It cleared few of my confusion about the topic, and inspired me to practice Metta more.

Super excited to read volume 2.

[Dean Paradiso · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book serves as both a transcript for retreats that took place with Bhante V, and also as an exposition and explanation of some selected Suttas (early Buddhism) relating to Loving-Kindness practice, the precepts and basic Buddhist ideas. I really like Bhante V's teaching style which is down to earth and easy to access for Westerners, and he also has the experience to be able to talk about meditative perspectives and the benefits of Metta practice. Highly recommend this book and his talks which are online.