Meditations of the Pali Tradition

Meditations of the Pali Tradition, from consummate scholar of Pali Buddhism L. S. Cousins, explores the history of meditation practice in early or Pali Buddhism, which was established in various parts of South and Central Asia from the time of the Buddha and developed until at least the fourteenth century CE. Ranging in discussion of jhana (absorption) meditation in ancient India to the Buddhist practice centers of the Silk Road to the vipassana (insight) practices of our modern world, this rigorous and insightful work of scholarship sheds new light on our understanding of the practices that are today associated with the Theravada school of Buddhism and the insight meditation movement. Cousins demonstrates that there is much more to Buddhist meditation than mindfulness alone—concentration and joy, for example, are equally important.

Why You Should Read?

• Gain a groundbreaking and detailed presentation of the rich system of meditation traditions that have come to us through the Pali tradition of Buddhism.
• Explore the history of meditation practice in early or Pali Buddhism, from the time of the Buddha to the fourteenth century CE.
• Understand the connections between ancient jhana absorption meditation, the Buddhist practice centers of the Silk Road, and modern vipassana insight practices.
• Discover why Buddhist meditation involves more than mindfulness alone, with concentration and joy playing equally important roles.

About the Author

L. S. Cousins was a consummate scholar of Pali Buddhism, known for his rigorous and insightful work on the history and practice of meditation in the Theravada tradition. His research sheds light on the development of Buddhist meditation practices across South and Central Asia, and his contributions continue to influence contemporary understanding of insight meditation.