1st Edition

Buddhist Meditation An Anthology of Texts from the Pali Canon

By Sarah Shaw Copyright 2006
260 Pages
by Routledge

256 Pages
by Routledge

256 Pages
by Routledge

Meditative practice lies at the heart of the Buddhist tradition. This introductory anthology gives a representative sample of the various kinds of meditations described in the earliest body of Buddhist scripture, the Pali canon. It provides a broad introduction to their traditional context and practice and supplies explanation, context and doctrinal background to the subject of meditation. The... Read more

Acknowledgements.  Preface.  Abbreviations  1. Introduction: What is Meditation?  2. Meditation: Introductory Texts  3. The Five Hindrances  4. Longer Texts: Concentration and the Fruits of Recluseship: The Samannaphala Sutta  5. Longer Texts: The Four Foundations of Mindfulness: The Satipannhana Sutta  6. The Ten Devices (Kasina)  7. The Ten Foulnesses (Asubha)  8. The Ten Recollections: Six Recollections (Anussati)  9. The Ten Recollections: Four Mindfulnesses (Sati)  10. The Four Divine Abidings (Brahmavihara)  11. Meditation on the Formless (Arupasamapatti)  12. The Perception of Loathsomeness in Food (Ahare Patikkulasanna)  Conclusion: Sila, Samadhi and Panna.  Bibliography.  Translator’s Note.  Glossary.  Canonical References.  Index

Biography

Sarah Shaw read Greek and English at Manchester University, where she took a doctorate in English. She studied Pali at Oxford, and is on the steering committee of the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies. She is a mother, teacher and writer. She practises with the Samatha Association of Britain.