Description
Description
This is an audiobook of Bodhi Leaves No.53 by M. O C. Walshe, 'Why Buddhism?, Why Theravada?, Theravada, Mahayana, Hinayana: Three Essays' found in the Pariyatti Edition of Collected Bodhi Leaves Vol. II.
Excerpt from Theravada, Mahayana, Hinayana by Maurice Walshe
'Let us return to Basic Buddhism. The third section of the Path consists of three steps: right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration. That some effort is needed is surely obvious, though some Zenful characters in the West have been heard to deny it. They should try just one week in a Zen monastery! Right mindfulness has been declared by the Buddha to be the one and only way to liberation. It is the way of vipassan insight-wisdom. And how else could wisdom be gained but by mindfulness and clear awareness ? Right concentration includes various things, among them the four Brahmavih ras: the development of loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity. So by practising these two steps of the Path we can develop the twin pillars of the Mahayana: wisdom and compassion. Perhaps it scarcely matters whether we set out to become an Arahant or a Bodhisattva. But suppose a Bodhisattva, by practising too much mindfulness, became an Arahant by mistake That would be terrible. Or would it?'
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VIPASSANA PRODUCTS
Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India's most ancient techniques of meditation. More information about Vipassana as taught by S.N. Goenka is available at www.dhamma.org.
The tag Vipassana identifies products that are directly related to this tradition and differentiates them from other Theravada resources available on our site. While the main emphasis in Vipassana meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka is on actual practice, this product may provide inspiration and guidance to a Vipassana meditator.
We also carry titles from the Theravada tradition, as we feel that by exploring the wider world of the Theravada texts, which include the Buddha’s discourses, commentaries, and scholarly articles and treatises, meditators have an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Dhamma and thereby enrich their meditation practice. This kind of intellectual exploration also helps a meditator to gain an understanding of the evolution and historical context of their meditation tradition. This understanding in turn deepens their practice and understanding of the Dhamma.
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