The experience of samādhi : an in-depth exploration of Buddhist meditation / Richard Shankman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Shankman, Richard.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Samadhi.

Buddhist literature, Pali--History and criticism.

Buddhist literature, Pali.

Buddhists--Interviews.

Buddhists.

Genre:

Interviews.

Physical Description:

xx, 236 pages ; 23 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Boston : Shambhala, 2008.

Summary:

Dharma Practice comprises a wide range of wise instructions and skillful means. As a result, meditators may be exposed to a diversity of approaches to the core teachings and the meditative path-and that can be confusing at times. In this clear and accessible exploration, Dharma teacher and longtime meditator Richard Shankman unravels the mix of differing, sometimes conflicting, views and traditional teachings on how samadhi (concentration) is understood and taught.

In part one, he considers the range of teachings and views about samadhi, examines different approaches, and considers how they can inform and enrich our meditation practice.

Part two consists of a series of interviews with prominent contemporary Buddhist teachers. These discussions focus on the practical experience of samadhi, bringing the theoretical to life and offering a range of applications of the different meditation techniques.

Contents:

Part 1 Samadhi in the Pali Texts

1 Samadhi in the Pali Suttas 3

The Importance and Place of Samadhi in Buddhist Meditation 6

Warnings on the Dangers and Misuse of Samadhi 7

Developing Concentration 10

Right Samadhi 14

Samadhi in Important Buddhist Lists and Discourses 17

2 Jhana in the Pali Suttas 32

The First Jhana 36

The Second Jhana 43

An Alternate Scheme for the First Two Jhanas 46

The Third Jhana 46

The Fourth Jhana 48

Beyond the Four Jhanas: Three Divergent Paths of Development 49

3 Samadhi in the Visuddhimagga 53

Tranquillity and Insight: Two Paths of Meditation Practice 55

Three Levels of Concentration 56

Three Signs of Concentration 57

Developing Samadhi 59

Meditation Subjects to Develop Samadhi 60

Jhana in the Visuddhimagga 62

The Eight Attainments 67

4 Controversies Surrounding Samadhi 77

What is Jhana? 79

Are Samadhi and Insight Two Distinct Paths of Practice or One? 83

Is Jhana Necessary for the Deepest Stages of Insight? 90

From the Suttas to the Visuddhimagga 97

Part 2 Interviews With Contemporary Meditation Teachers

Jack Kornfield 107

Ajaan Thanissaro 117

Sharon Salzberg 130

Bhante Gunaratana 136

Christina Feldman 146

Leigh Brasington 156

Ajahn Brahmavamso 166

Pa Auk Sayadaw 174

Appendix 1 Does It Matter Where You Watch the Breath? 183

Appendix 2 The Four Stages of Enlightenment 187

Appendix 3 Organization of the Pali Canon 189

Appendix 4 Samatha Meditation Practices of the Visuddhimagga 191.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1590305213

9781590305218

OCLC:

226038167