Buddhas ord om kärleksfull vänlighet - en kommentar till Karaniya metta sutta

by Sangharakshita

Baksidetext:

Vänlighet är en av de främsta och mest grundläggande mänskliga egenskaperna. Inom buddhismen kallas den metta och innebär att vi försöker ha ett öppet hjärta inför alla vi möter.
I den här boken får du en levande kommentar till den klassiska källtexten för kärleksfull vänlighet: Karaniya metta sutta. Suttan sätter metta eller kärleksfull vänlighet i sitt större sammanhang - som en del av träningen på vägen mot upplysning. Den tar upp vägens tre huvdsakliga områden: ett etiskt förhållningssätt, meditationsträning och det slutliga målet, insikt i tillvarons natur, eller visdom. Buddha talar om dessa områden som en träning.
Metta är en aktiv kärleksfull vänlighet och mycket mer än en känsla. Metta är också grunden för medkänsla, medglädje och jämnmod. Budskapet i suttan är långt mer utmanande - och befriande - än vad många kärleksbudskap tycks antyda.
Sangharakshita är en av de stora nutida uttolkarna av buddhismen och har skapat en modern buddhistisk gemenskap i rörelsen som heter Triratna.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Religion, Spirituality

186 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Sangharakshita 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’.

Reviews

[Catherine S · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Fabio · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice introduction to mētta meditation, definitely a book to read several times to get the full meaning.

[Suzie Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book delving into one of my favourite suttas on mētta, loving kindness.

[sude]

Mükemmelletto ve çok zorlayıcı hadi şimdi naş

[readingbits ☕️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Tanya Hakala · Rating 4 out of 5]

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".

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[RH Walters]

One day I will get past the introduction. I think I've packed it on trips more than once.