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Living with Kindness
Kindness is one of the most basic qualities we can possess, and one of the most powerful. Living with Kindness shows us how to cultivate many of the facets of kindness in ordinary, everyday life through the Buddha's teaching of metta in the Karaniya metta sutta . Encourages us to follow the path that leads to a warm and expansive heart.
188 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
10 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Sangharakshita
205 books76 followersSangharakshita 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’.
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’.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 22, 2023
I have always found metta to be the more difficult side of Buddhism to engage with, but this book really made me think about it differently. Sangharakshita has a clear way of communicating big ideas, and this collection was no exception. The only thing that could have made it better was more exploration of the practical side of actually doing the metta bhavana such as hints and tips.
December 20, 2023
A nice introduction to mētta meditation, definitely a book to read several times to get the full meaning.
March 26, 2024
A great book delving into one of my favourite suttas on mētta, loving kindness.
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April 11, 2025Mükemmelletto ve çok zorlayıcı hadi şimdi naş
January 7, 2024
I read this book whilst taking a course on metta at the North London Buddhist Centre.
This book is a great introduction and accompaniment to the metta bhavana. I would highly recommend for anyone interested in buddhist practice and teachings on metta.
This book is a great introduction and accompaniment to the metta bhavana. I would highly recommend for anyone interested in buddhist practice and teachings on metta.
October 22, 2014
We started an 8 week study of the Karaṇīya Metta Sutta tonight with this book as a guide at the Aryaloka Buddhist Center. I'm looking forward to taking a deeper look into what I read and spend some time delving into my own thoughts, feelings, fears, and what I can work on to improve my own "Living with Kindness".
September 9, 2012
Read this book for a second time out loud to my partner. It's an intense challenging book, that also clarifies and provides lovely modern elaborations to put the metta sutra into context. I love this book.
May 26, 2014
A thoroughly readable edition of talks Sangharakshita gave on a retreat in 1978. This is a marvellous teaching on the Karaniya Metta Sutta with straightforward guidance on generating and living loving kindness. A real treat.
Want to read
March 5, 2010One day I will get past the introduction. I think I've packed it on trips more than once.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews