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Esoteric Theravada: The Story of the Forgotten Meditation Tradition of Southeast Asia
A groundbreaking exploration of a practice tradition that was nearly lost to history.Theravada Buddhism, often understood as the school that most carefully preserved the practices taught by the Buddha, has undergone tremendous change over time. Prior to Western colonialism in Asia—which brought Western and modernist intellectual concerns, such as the separation of science and religion, to bear on Buddhism—there existed a tradition of embodied, esoteric, and culturally regional Theravada meditation practices. This once-dominant traditional meditation system, known as borān kammatthāna, is related to—yet remarkably distinct from—Vipassana and other Buddhist and secular mindfulness practices that would become the hallmark of Theravada Buddhism in the twentieth century. Drawing on a quarter century of research, scholar Kate Crosby offers the first holistic discussion of borān kammatthāna, illuminating the historical events and cultural processes by which the practice has been marginalized in the modern era.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 22, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 16, 2021
This is one of my favorite books of the year.
One thing to bear in mind – this book is definitely not just for those interested in or practicing in the Theravada tradition. Every Buddhist should read this. We are all so tribal, studying and practicing in our own particular tradition. While there is nothing wrong with that, there is often a side effect that we can inadvertently narrow-minded and judgmental about other traditions. This book is a major corrective and I think will leave readers with a great non-sectarian appreciation of the teachings of the Buddha and all his followers.
It will surprise Vipassana/Insight and other Theravada-oriented practitioners at the richness of their own tradition which many will be unfamiliar with. Tibetan and other Mahayana Buddhists will be amazed at many of the similarities with their own tradition, and will be left with a clear picture that does not conform to the common critiques and hierarchies many have come to accept as the way things are.
This book tells a story, and what a story it is. I uncovers an entire system of practice–borān kammaṭṭhāna, or “old meditation”–that was prevalent, arguably even dominant, for centuries in Thailand, Laos, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Burma but is hardly found now, only holding on in a few places. You will discover the nature of these systematized, somatic practices that internalize meditative experiences to create an enlightened being within, using potent language and transmitted through an esoteric teacher-student relationship.
You will learn how the practices, based on the canonical Abhidhamma teachings, came to be marginalized as a response to colonization and the scientific revolution that came along with it, as well as fell victim to politics and warfare in the 19th and 20th centuries.
While many will be familiar with the notion of Sanskrit and Tibetan language and grammar having a particular transformative power, some will be surprised at a parallel understanding about the Pali language. You will discover many other fascinating things, for example about the relationship of this system of meditative transformation relates to models of ayurvedic medicine, as well as the chemistry as practiced in pre-modern times.
Finally, you will hear about how this tradition has fared in the 20th century and beyond, from some heropic effotrs to keep it alive to its inclusion in some revivals throughout Southeast Asia.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
Note - I work for Shambhala Publications, but this is an objective review!
One thing to bear in mind – this book is definitely not just for those interested in or practicing in the Theravada tradition. Every Buddhist should read this. We are all so tribal, studying and practicing in our own particular tradition. While there is nothing wrong with that, there is often a side effect that we can inadvertently narrow-minded and judgmental about other traditions. This book is a major corrective and I think will leave readers with a great non-sectarian appreciation of the teachings of the Buddha and all his followers.
It will surprise Vipassana/Insight and other Theravada-oriented practitioners at the richness of their own tradition which many will be unfamiliar with. Tibetan and other Mahayana Buddhists will be amazed at many of the similarities with their own tradition, and will be left with a clear picture that does not conform to the common critiques and hierarchies many have come to accept as the way things are.
This book tells a story, and what a story it is. I uncovers an entire system of practice–borān kammaṭṭhāna, or “old meditation”–that was prevalent, arguably even dominant, for centuries in Thailand, Laos, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Burma but is hardly found now, only holding on in a few places. You will discover the nature of these systematized, somatic practices that internalize meditative experiences to create an enlightened being within, using potent language and transmitted through an esoteric teacher-student relationship.
You will learn how the practices, based on the canonical Abhidhamma teachings, came to be marginalized as a response to colonization and the scientific revolution that came along with it, as well as fell victim to politics and warfare in the 19th and 20th centuries.
While many will be familiar with the notion of Sanskrit and Tibetan language and grammar having a particular transformative power, some will be surprised at a parallel understanding about the Pali language. You will discover many other fascinating things, for example about the relationship of this system of meditative transformation relates to models of ayurvedic medicine, as well as the chemistry as practiced in pre-modern times.
Finally, you will hear about how this tradition has fared in the 20th century and beyond, from some heropic effotrs to keep it alive to its inclusion in some revivals throughout Southeast Asia.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
Note - I work for Shambhala Publications, but this is an objective review!
May 31, 2024
Very apologetic and light on the most interesting questions. I knew nothing about Borān Kammaṭṭhāna going into this book and it seems to give a fine overview. Unfortunately, most of the text is committed to asserting it's orthodoxy and since I don't contest that, those parts weren't as interesting to me. The question on everybody's mind is "how is this tradition related to Tantric esotericism?" and almost nothing is said about it. Going off vibes here, I think she feels threatened by delving into a question that might complicate the general thrust of her book. That is, Borān Kammaṭṭhāna is the one true Theravada eternally under threat by communists and Protestant posers. I really hope the irony isn't lost on anyone that this is a white, Western scholar decrying contemporary Asian Buddhism as in inauthentic to its glorious past. Protestant no less. That said, I learned something so I still think it's worth reading.
October 8, 2022
ESOTERIC THERAVADA: THE STORY OF THE FORGOTTEN MEDITATION TRADITION OF SOUTHEAST ASIA, written by Kate Crosby and published in 2020 by Shambala.
Kate Crosby is a professor of Buddhist Studies at King’s College London. Her work focuses on Sanskrit, Pali, and Pali-vernacular literature and on Theravada practice in the pre-modern and modern periods.
Her other publications include Theravada Buddhism: Continuity, Diversity, Identity and The Bodhicaryavatara.
When I first read this book I was amazed, as Crosby gives the readers an extremely valuable novelty in this book: a historical and critical exploration of a practice tradition of Theravada that was nearly lost during the many changes that Theravada itself has undergone during the centuries.
Theravada, which literally means “School of the Elders”, is the Buddhist’s oldest existing school. The followers of this tradition, called Theravādins, have transferred and preserved their own version of Gautama Buddha’s teachings, the Buddha Dhamma in the Pāli Canon, for over two millennia. It represents the major form of Buddhism in Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos
Yet, even being considered the school that most carefully preserved the practices directly taught by the Buddha, Theravada has been changing consistently over time.
Prior to Western colonialism in Asia, which brought in the area the Western conception of the separation of science and religion, to name one, Theravada relied upon a long and established tradition of esoteric meditation practices, called borān kammatthāna.
Kate Crosby has been able to propose a holistic presentation and study of borān kammatthāna, while also explaining the series of historical and cultural events that almost canceled the practice in the modern era.
The book is an eye-opener in its detailed description of the risks associated with the introduction of normalization and standardization over an established set of practices done during cultural revisionism.
Crosby’s book depicts how borān kammatthāna, which is the oldest documented lineage of Buddhist practice in South and Southeast Asia, has been belittled by western and modernist approaches.
The meditation method, which for centuries represented a holistic set of spiritual practices for personal development was misunderstood and almost canceled by the colonialist culture.
Borān kammatthāna includes in its practice medicine, yantras (geometrical diagrams used as meditation tools, mainly from the Tantric traditions), and the Abhidhamma, the Theravada Buddhist philosophy. The practice was scientific, in its methods, even if it encompassed mystical ideas, using letters, sounds, shapes, and numbers symbolism.
The book has many quotes from the Pali Canon, which I found absolutely interesting, having read it in Sanskrit over the years. It also describes the practice of borān kammatthāna so that the meditation practitioner could discover the similarities, and differences with vipassana, just to name a well-known practice.
I really loved this book and I definitely recommend it to everyone interested in learning about a tradition that almost disappeared due to the colonial revisionism of Eastern culture and science.
Kate Crosby is a professor of Buddhist Studies at King’s College London. Her work focuses on Sanskrit, Pali, and Pali-vernacular literature and on Theravada practice in the pre-modern and modern periods.
Her other publications include Theravada Buddhism: Continuity, Diversity, Identity and The Bodhicaryavatara.
When I first read this book I was amazed, as Crosby gives the readers an extremely valuable novelty in this book: a historical and critical exploration of a practice tradition of Theravada that was nearly lost during the many changes that Theravada itself has undergone during the centuries.
Theravada, which literally means “School of the Elders”, is the Buddhist’s oldest existing school. The followers of this tradition, called Theravādins, have transferred and preserved their own version of Gautama Buddha’s teachings, the Buddha Dhamma in the Pāli Canon, for over two millennia. It represents the major form of Buddhism in Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos
Yet, even being considered the school that most carefully preserved the practices directly taught by the Buddha, Theravada has been changing consistently over time.
Prior to Western colonialism in Asia, which brought in the area the Western conception of the separation of science and religion, to name one, Theravada relied upon a long and established tradition of esoteric meditation practices, called borān kammatthāna.
Kate Crosby has been able to propose a holistic presentation and study of borān kammatthāna, while also explaining the series of historical and cultural events that almost canceled the practice in the modern era.
The book is an eye-opener in its detailed description of the risks associated with the introduction of normalization and standardization over an established set of practices done during cultural revisionism.
Crosby’s book depicts how borān kammatthāna, which is the oldest documented lineage of Buddhist practice in South and Southeast Asia, has been belittled by western and modernist approaches.
The meditation method, which for centuries represented a holistic set of spiritual practices for personal development was misunderstood and almost canceled by the colonialist culture.
Borān kammatthāna includes in its practice medicine, yantras (geometrical diagrams used as meditation tools, mainly from the Tantric traditions), and the Abhidhamma, the Theravada Buddhist philosophy. The practice was scientific, in its methods, even if it encompassed mystical ideas, using letters, sounds, shapes, and numbers symbolism.
The book has many quotes from the Pali Canon, which I found absolutely interesting, having read it in Sanskrit over the years. It also describes the practice of borān kammatthāna so that the meditation practitioner could discover the similarities, and differences with vipassana, just to name a well-known practice.
I really loved this book and I definitely recommend it to everyone interested in learning about a tradition that almost disappeared due to the colonial revisionism of Eastern culture and science.
January 10, 2025
A mind blowing book, dense and needs some careful extraction; probably a masters thesis but some of the points were truly incredible. The best book i have read this year. I colic got an esoteric and mostly vanished meditation form and technology that appears incredible and that i will investigate within my own practice of the way.
A book that should be reviewed every few years.
Would recommend to the right person..but advanced thought !!
A book that should be reviewed every few years.
Would recommend to the right person..but advanced thought !!
February 3, 2021
It is a thorough explanation of the history of Theravada Buddhism, but I expected a bit more inside information of the different meditation practices in his whole. Only one was mentioned.
May 6, 2021
Nice overview of what got lost. Can't be used as meditation guide.
September 20, 2022
Many think the Buddha was a scientist. Taught us to see things for what they were “as it is.” When we listen to the Buddha’s teachings we solve many of our problems.
He also taught the devas and dragons and many other non-human beings. When we accept that these beings exist in our lives too, our lives open to wonderful experiences.
Walk the court of the 33 and listen to them whisper about you.
Gain a visit by the primal devourer of plagues and receive her protection.
Feel the protection of the Devine Beings because of your Buddhist practice.
Gain the friendship and guidance of the great bodhisattvas only because you have proven yourself a true practitioner.
He also taught the devas and dragons and many other non-human beings. When we accept that these beings exist in our lives too, our lives open to wonderful experiences.
Walk the court of the 33 and listen to them whisper about you.
Gain a visit by the primal devourer of plagues and receive her protection.
Feel the protection of the Devine Beings because of your Buddhist practice.
Gain the friendship and guidance of the great bodhisattvas only because you have proven yourself a true practitioner.
March 7, 2025
Magic grammar is a really cool idea that is food for thought about Mahayana mantra and Dharani practice
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews