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Meditations of the Pali Tradition: Illuminating Buddhist Doctrine, History, and Practice
A groundbreaking and detailed presentation of the rich system of meditation traditions that have come to us through the Pali tradition of Buddhism.
Meditations of the Pali Tradition, from consummate scholar of Pali Buddhism L. S. Cousins, explores the history of meditation practice in early or Pali Buddhism, which was established in various parts of South and Central Asia from the time of the Buddha and developed until at least the fourteenth century CE. Ranging in discussion of jhana (absorption) meditation in ancient India to the Buddhist practice centers of the Silk Road to the vipassana (insight) practices of our modern world, this rigorous and insightful work of scholarship sheds new light on our understanding of the practices that are today associated with the Theravada school of Buddhism and the insight meditation movement. Cousins demonstrates that there is much more to Buddhist meditation than mindfulness alone—concentration and joy, for example, are equally important.
Meditations of the Pali Tradition, from consummate scholar of Pali Buddhism L. S. Cousins, explores the history of meditation practice in early or Pali Buddhism, which was established in various parts of South and Central Asia from the time of the Buddha and developed until at least the fourteenth century CE. Ranging in discussion of jhana (absorption) meditation in ancient India to the Buddhist practice centers of the Silk Road to the vipassana (insight) practices of our modern world, this rigorous and insightful work of scholarship sheds new light on our understanding of the practices that are today associated with the Theravada school of Buddhism and the insight meditation movement. Cousins demonstrates that there is much more to Buddhist meditation than mindfulness alone—concentration and joy, for example, are equally important.
- GenresBuddhism
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 27, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 5, 2022
Incredibly good. Lance Cousins was an extraordinary scholar as well as practitioner and, by all accounts, teacher. Each chapter in this book reveals a depth and breadth of understanding of Buddhism that is a wellspring of insights and surprises. Cannot recommend this highly enough.
Note: I work at Shambhala Pubs but this a totally objective and heartfelt review. This is definitely one of my favorite books of the year.
Note: I work at Shambhala Pubs but this a totally objective and heartfelt review. This is definitely one of my favorite books of the year.
December 30, 2022
A anthology of pali canon concepts of meditation cross referenced with the suttas and abhidhammas. Goes through topic by topic, including jhanas, the factors that cultivate jhanas, vipassana. It’s as much a scholarly investigation that adds to the abhidhamma as a labor of love and a part of the authors’s own practice.
A bit on the erudite side, so only recommended if you’re curious about a comprehensive scholarly review of meditation concepts
A bit on the erudite side, so only recommended if you’re curious about a comprehensive scholarly review of meditation concepts
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews