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Visible Here and Now: The Buddha's Teachings on the Rewards of Spiritual Practice
This practical commentary on one of the most important scriptures of the Pali canon will provide essential sustenance for Buddhist practitioners. Ayya Khema is a mountain of strength, encouragement, and tough love as she pours out down-to-earth practical instruction on the journey to enlightenment, following the framework set forth in the Samannaphala-sutta , the Buddha's discourse on the rewards of spiritual life.
The sutta—included here in the translation by Bhikkhu Bodhi—contains the Buddha's teachings in response to questions posed by King Ajatasattu. Why, the king asked, should we give up the satisfactions of worldly life and devote ourselves to meditation? What are the tangible benefits to be gained from following the Buddha's way? In answering this question, the Buddha provides a compact synopsis of the entirety of the spiritual path, and Ayya Khema expands on this with her characteristic approach—simple, direct, experiential, and loving.
An important aspect of the sutta is an account of the eight meditative absorptions, or jhanas—states of mind that bring joy, serenity, and peace and that open the way to clarity and liberation. Ayya Khema, who was herself adept at the eight absorptions, confidently leads the reader to, through, and beyond the jhanas, following the Buddha's plan. Her words have the effect of inspiring us to roll up our sleeves and get to work so that we may grasp the insights, accomplish the meditative goals, and become enlightened to the highest extent of our talents and efforts.
The sutta—included here in the translation by Bhikkhu Bodhi—contains the Buddha's teachings in response to questions posed by King Ajatasattu. Why, the king asked, should we give up the satisfactions of worldly life and devote ourselves to meditation? What are the tangible benefits to be gained from following the Buddha's way? In answering this question, the Buddha provides a compact synopsis of the entirety of the spiritual path, and Ayya Khema expands on this with her characteristic approach—simple, direct, experiential, and loving.
An important aspect of the sutta is an account of the eight meditative absorptions, or jhanas—states of mind that bring joy, serenity, and peace and that open the way to clarity and liberation. Ayya Khema, who was herself adept at the eight absorptions, confidently leads the reader to, through, and beyond the jhanas, following the Buddha's plan. Her words have the effect of inspiring us to roll up our sleeves and get to work so that we may grasp the insights, accomplish the meditative goals, and become enlightened to the highest extent of our talents and efforts.
- GenresBuddhism
224 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 4, 2016
In the preface of the book, Ayya Khema's teacher, the Reverend Nanarama Mahathera, was quoted as saying that if one could get to know only one discourse, the Samannaphala Sutta (the discourse on the fruits of spiritual life) should be the one. This sutta certainly covers the A-Z of both mundane and supramundane life according to the Noble Eightfold Path. A copy of the Samannaphala Sutta is given in the first part of the book, followed by Ayya Khema's interpretation of the discourse, with clear explanations and practical instructions on the various aspects of spiritual life based on the Buddha's teaching (Dhamma). As this sutta can be cross-referenced with many other discourses, “Visible Here & Now” forms a valuble reference tool in understanding not just the Samannaphala Sutta, but many others in the Sutta Pitaka. One other sutta with a similar framework and content is the Kevatta Sutta (Miracle of Instruction). It was in my attempt to analyse and understand the Kevatta Sutta that I decided to read this book.
"Visible Here & Now" is not for everyone, and for that matter, not for all Buddhist practitioners. Being a true Buddhist means developing a path to realize the Buddha's teaching. The Dhamma signifies three aspects : study, practice and realization. That means that you have to pattern your life according to the Noble Eightfold Path which teaches all Buddhists to do good, avoid evil and purify the mind. The ultimate aim is enlightenment. So, if one is just meditating as a hobby to gain some measure of calm and contentment (not unlike what is taught in yoga classes), this book is not a suitable guide. Similarly, if one does not know the Dhamma and has no meditation experience, this book will be too heavy, dry and even confusing.
To get the maximum benefit out of this book, it is advisable to have at least a basic knowledge and understanding of the Dhamma. Prior meditation experience is crucial; without any meditation experience, trying to understand the chapters on concentration and insight meditation is very much like a fish trying to understand what walking on land is all about. There is information which benefit non-meditators (ie. moral behavior, four sublime states) but these take up only a few chapters of the book. To me, “Visible Here & Now” serves essentially as a textbook. Now and then, I refer to certain parts of the book to understand relevant sections in other suttas, and to seek explanations on my own meditation experiences.
And like all Ayya Khema books, “Visible Here & Now” sheds meaningful light on many questions about Buddhism and serves as an aspiration to pursue the aim of enlightenment. Highly recommended.
"Visible Here & Now" is not for everyone, and for that matter, not for all Buddhist practitioners. Being a true Buddhist means developing a path to realize the Buddha's teaching. The Dhamma signifies three aspects : study, practice and realization. That means that you have to pattern your life according to the Noble Eightfold Path which teaches all Buddhists to do good, avoid evil and purify the mind. The ultimate aim is enlightenment. So, if one is just meditating as a hobby to gain some measure of calm and contentment (not unlike what is taught in yoga classes), this book is not a suitable guide. Similarly, if one does not know the Dhamma and has no meditation experience, this book will be too heavy, dry and even confusing.
To get the maximum benefit out of this book, it is advisable to have at least a basic knowledge and understanding of the Dhamma. Prior meditation experience is crucial; without any meditation experience, trying to understand the chapters on concentration and insight meditation is very much like a fish trying to understand what walking on land is all about. There is information which benefit non-meditators (ie. moral behavior, four sublime states) but these take up only a few chapters of the book. To me, “Visible Here & Now” serves essentially as a textbook. Now and then, I refer to certain parts of the book to understand relevant sections in other suttas, and to seek explanations on my own meditation experiences.
And like all Ayya Khema books, “Visible Here & Now” sheds meaningful light on many questions about Buddhism and serves as an aspiration to pursue the aim of enlightenment. Highly recommended.
December 22, 2013
The Samannaphala-sutta is is often referred to as a discourse on the fruits of a spiritual life. It is a response by the Buddha to questions asked by King Ajatasattu as to why one should give up the satisfactions of a worldly life and devote oneself to meditation. Visible Here and Now: The Buddhist Teachings on the Rewards of Spiritual Practice by Ayya Khema is an elaboration on the Buddha's discourse. The book begins with a translation of the sutta by Bhikkhu Bodhi. Khema follows by focusing on the eight jhanas or states of mind discussed by the Buddha. Her approach is simple, clear, practical and loving.
I began the book with a high level of interest and curiosity. As I progressed, however, I started to feel a sort of drag. It became harder and harder to concentrate. Then I realized the book was becoming too much of a catechism lesson. There was a seemingly endless stream of lists: the ten fruits of the spiritual life, the five precepts, the four great efforts, the thirty-one levels of existence, the four bodily postures, the four parts of the mind, the ten fetters, and on and on and on. I began to feel that all was being over-analysed and there was a notable sense of repetition.
Perhaps at this time in my life I didn't need to be persuaded about the rewards and benefits of meditation. I had decided long ago that meditation is a valuable tool in creating mental harmony and peace of mind. As I read further, I became more convinced of the value of a Zen practice known as shikantaza, sitting quietly, doing nothing. Certainly, this is the essence of simplicity.
Please don't consider this to be a negative review. I think the book could be an excellent tool to someone who is seeking a basic understanding of the Buddhist approach to meditation.
I began the book with a high level of interest and curiosity. As I progressed, however, I started to feel a sort of drag. It became harder and harder to concentrate. Then I realized the book was becoming too much of a catechism lesson. There was a seemingly endless stream of lists: the ten fruits of the spiritual life, the five precepts, the four great efforts, the thirty-one levels of existence, the four bodily postures, the four parts of the mind, the ten fetters, and on and on and on. I began to feel that all was being over-analysed and there was a notable sense of repetition.
Perhaps at this time in my life I didn't need to be persuaded about the rewards and benefits of meditation. I had decided long ago that meditation is a valuable tool in creating mental harmony and peace of mind. As I read further, I became more convinced of the value of a Zen practice known as shikantaza, sitting quietly, doing nothing. Certainly, this is the essence of simplicity.
Please don't consider this to be a negative review. I think the book could be an excellent tool to someone who is seeking a basic understanding of the Buddhist approach to meditation.
June 25, 2019
Very detailed description, in fairly easy to understand language, of the full 8-fold Path. Definitely warrants more than one reading, as there is a lot of information here.
January 4, 2015
Excellent Theravada-style book on Buddhism. Basically, this is a commentary on an important text. It is used to discuss most of the fundamentals of Buddhism and the benefits of practice in the here and now.
Admittedly, some of these are quite rarefied at the higher levels, and hence unlikely to be achieved by most practitioners, but there are many benefits of the more mundane nature to make it well worthwhile to practice.
There were also many useful and thought-provoking insights in this book.
Admittedly, some of these are quite rarefied at the higher levels, and hence unlikely to be achieved by most practitioners, but there are many benefits of the more mundane nature to make it well worthwhile to practice.
There were also many useful and thought-provoking insights in this book.
January 31, 2015
I read this with a small meditation group and we all loved the book. For one thing you learn how to read a sutta carefully.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews