The Visuddhimagga—here rendered Path of Purification—is perhaps unique in the literature of the world. It systematically summarizes and interprets the teaching of the Buddha contained in the Pali Tipiþaka, which is now recognized in Europe as the oldest and most authentic record of the Buddha’s words. As the principal non-canonical authority of the Theraváda, it forms the hub of a complete and coherent method of exegesis of the Tipiþaka, using the “Abhidhamma method” as it is called. And it sets out detailed practical instructions for developing purification of mind.
After reading the Majjihima Nikaya, I have decided to remove a star from this read. After comparing what I learned from it and the results of my meditation. I feel that this book misleads the meditator to think that one pointed concentration is the teaching of the Buddha.