Early Buddhist Meditation Studies

by Anālayo

In this book, Bhikkhu Analayo, scholar and meditation teacher, examines central aspects of Buddhist meditation as reflected in the early discourses of the Buddha, based on revised and reorganized material from previously published articles. The main topics he takes up are mindfulness, the path to awakening, absorption, and the brahmaviharas. He compares parallel versions of the discourses in a variety of languages which offers a window on the earliest stages in the development of these Buddhist teachings. "This book is a joy to read! It offers a pragmatic and accessible analysis of the role of mindfulness, tranquility, and the brahmaviharas in the early discourses of the Buddha." Shaila Catherine "This book is a dharma treasure of scholarship and discernment, opening up new possibilities for our own practice and realization." Joseph Goldstein "Readers will find this a fascinating and thought-provoking book that informs, illuminates, and challenges. It is a rich resource that enables both scholars and meditators to reflect more deeply on issues relating to meditation in early Buddhism." Peter Harvey

Genres: Buddhism, Meditation

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 22, 2017

About the author

Ven. Anālayo, born in 1962, was ordained a Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka in 1995, completing his Ph.D. on satipaṭṭhāna at the University of Peradeniya in 2000. He is a contributor to the Encyclopaedia of Buddhism.

Reviews

[Sher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough scholarly analysis using multiple Buddhist scriptures arguing against one meditative path to enlightenment.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite what I as expecting. Give the title the book sounded like a historical survey of early Buddhism vis-a-vis meditation. But what it really seemed to be was a comparative analysis of early vs later Buddhist practice. There wasn't much info on later practice, but the author seemed to be trying to discern what early Buddhists thought of some of the practices that emerged throughout the history of Buddhism.

I get the problem, I'm not sure how you title a book that does the above. Nonetheless it was still an interesting book and I'm glad I read it, and I did pick up a few interesting tidbits out of it that enhanced my practice.

[Francisca Villahermosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valuable and understandable

I found this book clarifying on many aspects of the Buddhist beliefs and practices. Probably is more oriented to scholars than me, but still valuable and understandable.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. There are multiple interpretation and different operational methods of mindfulness. So when one talks about mindfulness, which one?
2. One cannot attain liberation purely based on intellectual pondering on the texts.
3. The full realization of the Four Noble Truths requires cultivation of both concentration and wisdom.

Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu.

[Patrick Horgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Venerable Analayo wrote this book for two audiences, scholars, and practitioners. It goes into the earliest extant writings in Pali (mostly) with some looks at parallels in Chinese and Tibet about Buddhism and about what the Buddha taught about meditating and about the path to freedom. I quite liked it. Buddhism has had centuries of layers accrued. Analayo digs under all of the crud to find the real teachings without all of the later legends. As a practitioner it was helpful and assuring. I found that my feet were solidly on the path to freedom and that early Buddhism agreed a lot more with my experience from a 45+ year meditation and mindfulness practice than a lot of the later writings would have me think.