Bhante Gunaratana

Henepola Gunaratana

Presents an introduction to meditation according to Buddhist principles, describing the advantages of the practice and addressing some of the difficulties that can come up.

20th Anniversary Edition

Mindfulness in Plain English

A lavishly produced book featuring carefully chosen selections from the Buddha’s teachings for use in recitation and reflection. Buddhist Suttas for Recitation provides everything you need to begin and maintain a practice of contemplative recitation and reflection. These practices will deepen your connection to Buddhism, strengthen your faith in the teachings, and nurture your intellectual understanding of the Dharma. This unique volume includes carefully chosen discourses of the Buddha from the Pali Canon—presented in inspiring and accessible English with accompanying Pali—that convey the essence of the Dharma. The introductory material explains the relationship between meditation and devotional practice, offers instructions on setting up an altar, and gives advice on how to use these texts to enhance one’s spiritual development.

A Companion for Walking the Buddha's Path

Buddhist Suttas for Recitation

A lavishly produced book featuring carefully chosen selections from the Buddha’s teachings for use in recitation and reflection. Buddhist Suttas for Recitation provides everything you need to begin and maintain a practice of contemplative recitation and reflection. These practices will deepen your connection to the Buddha, strengthen your faith in the Path, and nurture your intellectual understanding of the Dhamma. This unique volume includes carefully chosen discourses of the Buddha from the Pali Canon—presented in inspiring and accessible English with accompanying Pali—that convey the essence of the Dhamma. The introductory material explains the relationship between meditation and devotional practice, offers instructions on setting up a home altar, and gives advice on how to use these texts to enhance your spiritual development.

A new book distilling Wisdom’s definitive masterpiece on mindfulness and all-time bestseller, Mindfulness in Plain English, down to a pocket-sized guide with everything you need to get started practicing mindfulness right now. In a clear, friendly voice, this concise collection of beloved and renowned meditation master Bhante G’s bestselling instructions will teach you everything you need to know to start—and maintain!—your mindfulness meditation practice. The book includes practical advice on What to do with the body and mind in meditation; What to do when the mind wanders and how to work with distraction; How to deal with physical discomfort in meditation; How to overcome drowsiness, boredom, and inability to concentrate; How to work with fear and agitation, judgments, and self-criticism; How to avoid trying too hard, expecting too much, or getting discouraged; 11 common misconceptions about meditation; 10 tips for effective practice; and how to get the most out of your practice.

A Short Guide to Mindfulness Meditation

Start Here, Start Now

Everything you ever wanted to know but never had a chance to ask about meditation and Buddhist spiritual practice, from one of the greatest mindfulness teachers of our time. How can I fit meditation into my busy life? How should I understand karma and rebirth? Is enlightenment even possible for me? Sound familiar? If you’ve ever meditated or studied Buddhism, you may have found yourself asking these questions—and many more! Here’s the good news: there are answers, and you’ll find them all in this book. Imagine that you could sit down with one of Buddhism’s most accomplished and plainspoken teachers—and imagine that he patiently agreed to answer any question you had about meditation, living mindfully, and key Buddhist concepts—even the myriad brilliant questions you’ve never thought to ask! What, Why, How condenses into one volume a half-century of Bhante G.’s wise answers to common questions about the Buddha’s core teachings on meditation and spiritual practice. With his kind and clear guidance, you’ll gain simple yet powerful insights and practices to end unhealthy patterns and habits so that you can transform your experience of the world—from your own mind to your relationships, your job, and beyond.

Answers to Your Questions About Buddhism, Meditation, and Living Mindfully

What, Why, How

Will appeal to the many people trying to start a meditation practice, because they'll be able to find answers (from a true meditation master) to all the many questions that come up when starting to meditate. How can I fit meditation into my busy life? How should I understand karma and rebirth? Do I need to attain special jhana states to benefit from meditation? What is ‘stream-entry’ and what actually happens? Is enlightenment even possible for me? Sound familiar? If you’ve ever meditated, or even thought about it, you may have found yourself asking these questions (and many more!). Good news: there are answers—and you’ll find them all in this book. This book is for you. Imagine that you had an unhurried meeting with one of Buddhism’s most accomplished, erudite, and plainspoken teachers—and imagine that he patiently agreed to answer any question you had about meditation, living mindfully, and many key Buddhist concepts—and myriad brilliant questions you’ve never thought to ask! After nine decades of Buddhist practice and leadership, Bhante Gunaratana, author of the worldwide bestseller Mindfulness in Plain English and more than a dozen other books, is that teacher—and What, Why, How is a polished and easy-to-read presentation of exactly that encounter. The questions themselves are thoughtful, intelligent, and relatable, on topics ranging from psychological to the doctrinal, from practical to personal—and everything in between. And Bhante G’s answers are always in his signature “plain English” style—even when they dive deep into texts and teachings. What, Why, How contains a wealth of simple yet powerful insights and practices that you can incorporate into daily life to end unhealthy patterns and habits and transform your experience of the world—from your own mind to your relationships, your job, and beyond.

Jeanne Malmgren

"The inspiring life-story of from the bestselling author of Mindfulness in Plain English--updated and expanded in honor of his 90th birthday. Bhante Gunaratana--Bhante G., as he is affectionately called--has long been among the most beloved Buddhist teachers in the West. Ordained at twelve, he would eventually become the first Buddhist chaplain at an American university, the founder of a retreat center and monastery, and a bestselling author. Here, Bhante G. lays bare the often-surprising ups and downs of his more than ninety years, from his boyhood in Sri Lanka to his decades of sharing the insights of the Buddha, telling his story with the "plain-English" good-humored approach for which he is so renowned. This expanded anniversary edition includes four new chapters in which Bhante reflects on the impact of the tsumani that struck his homeland in 2004 and his subsequent appearance on Larry King Live, his brief experiment in ordaining nuns at his monastery, as well intimate reflections on the loss of family members, and his own aging and infirmity--providing a model an inspiring model to us all of gracious equanimity"--

Bhante Gunaratana

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