Mindfulness with Breathing: A Manual for Serious Beginners
By Buddhadasa and Larry Rosenberg
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Mindfulness With Breathing : A Manual for Serious Beginners Paperback – June 15, 1988
by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu (Author), Santikaro Bhikkhu (Translator)
4.7 out of 5 stars 86 ratings
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Any practitioner, after meditating for some time, inevitably wonders what meditation method the historical Buddha Shakyamuni himself used while beneath the Bodhi Tree. Many people understand that prior to his realization, Shakyamuni Buddha studied with many of the great yogis of his time, but most do not know what method he ultimately found leads most directly to nirvana. In Ajahn Buddhadasa Bhikkhu's book, Mindfulness With Breathing, the Thai meditation master provides practitioners with penetrating insights into the Anapanasati Sutta, the canonical text which many believe is the most direct transmission of Shakyamuni Buddha's breath meditation methods. Combined with a concise translation of the sutta itself, Mindfulness with Breathing is one of the best guides to Buddhist meditation practice available in the English language.
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"In this book, Ajahn Buddhadasa will take you by the hand and lead you, as he did me, all the way from the first attempt to observe the in-breaths and out-breaths, to the kinds of insight that have the power to liberate. You will begin with merely a set of instructions, but then you must take these clear words of teaching and put them into practice. If you do, you will not be disappointed. You have in your hands a precious yogic manual." -- Larry Rosenberg, Director, Cambridge Insight Meditation Center and author of Breath by Breath
About the Author
Buddhadasa Bhikkhu (1906-1993) was a famous and influential Thai Buddhist philosopher, widely known as an innovative reinterpreter of Buddhist doctrine and Thai folk belief. Buddhadasa fostered a reformation of conventional religious perception in his home country, as well as abroad. Although he was an ordained Buddhist monk, he rejected specific religious identification and considered all faiths as principally one. Since the 1960s his work has inspired a new generation of socially concerned individuals around the world. He is the author of numerous works, including Mindfulness with Breathing: A Manual for Serious Beginners.
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ASIN : 0861711114
Publisher : Wisdom Publications; Revised edition (June 15, 1988)
Language : English
Paperback : 160 pages
ISBN-10 : 9780861711116
ISBN-13 : 978-0861711116
Item Weight : 8 ounces
Dimensions : 6 x 0.5 x 9 inchesBest Sellers Rank: #214,374 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)#72 in Theravada Buddhism (Books)
#235 in Buddhist Rituals & Practice (Books)
#238 in Zen SpiritualityCustomer Reviews:
4.7 out of 5 stars 86 ratings
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buddhadasa bhikkhu anapanasati sutta mindfulness of breathing sixteen steps serious beginner buddha practice buddhism manual body given instructions pali reference ajahn described learn necessary system training
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Paul
5.0 out of 5 stars Meditation Instruction from a MasterReviewed in the United States on January 6, 2020
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If you want to practice Insight Meditation, you'll need to understand two of the Buddha's key teachings - the Anapanasati Sutta and the Satipatthana Sutta. This succinct book by the late Ajahn Buddhadasa expertly deals with the first of these. First read the Sutta, then the book. Read it carefully, a little at a time, paying close attention to each sentence - you'll learn from a true master (a more Western-friendly version of this same material is Larry Rosenberg's excellent book "Breath-byBreath..."). Then read the Satipatthana Sutta and one of the outstanding books about that, such as by Bhikkhu Analayo. These two men are among the best sources for learning Insight Meditation/Vipassana.
9 people found this helpful
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Frank Anderson
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Meditation BookReviewed in the United States on May 25, 2020
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Although there are newer and more 'Western' books about mindfulness of breathing, this one is still essential reading to understand how best to follow the mediation practice as described by the Buddha directly. Wonderfully clear recommendations about how to live a good life while implementing all sixteen steps of mindfulness of breathing as well as condensed versions, if needed, depending how much time you can really devote to this practice. Excellent translation by Santikaro, a longtime student of the teacher-author, Buddhadassa Bhikkhu. This is one to treasure and read again and again as needed.
3 people found this helpful
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Daruma
5.0 out of 5 stars A Straightforward and Powerful Meditation DiscussionReviewed in the United States on August 7, 2009
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This book is a thorough and authoritative discussion of the "Mindfulness of Breathing" Sutta of Buddha. It treats the sixteen steps, or four groups of four, with great detail. It teaches how to watch the breath and what to be mindful of during the breathing exercises. Even though I have practiced vipassana meditation for years, I was surprised to see the specific, sequential, and direct instructions Buddhadasa gives. It is not just, "Pay attention to your breathing and make mental notes when your mind wanders." I have had to read the book two times just to begin to understand it. A third reading is coming. It is hard to comprehend all sixteen steps, but one can just use the first tetrad, the first four steps, and go a long way. A summary is given by the translator at the end. This book is for one who seriously wants to use mindfulness meditation of the Theravada kind to try to gain self-knowledge. For that it is excellent.
29 people found this helpful
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Mclusky
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice ManualReviewed in the United States on February 3, 2009
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Ajahn Buddhadasa is a controversial figure in the annals of 20th century Theravada Buddhism, even having his works banned for a time in conservative strongholds like Burma. Still, I liked this book. It's nothing new if you are familiar with the Anapanasati sutta from the Pali Canon but Buddhadasa Bhikkhu turns aspects of the famous sutta into a system of training for the "serious beginner." If you're not serious about Buddhism or meditation then I don't think you ought to buy this since it will probably either bore you to death or frustrate you. However, if you really want to learn breath meditation and don't expect any serious results overnight or even over the course of a month or more I think it's a great book. I love it, but if you're into Buddhist scholarship and have no faith in meditation or Enlightenment you'll be wasting your money. There is no scholarship here, just a forest monks instructions on meditation from a life lived practicing it.
27 people found this helpful
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Littletommy
4.0 out of 5 stars Clear InstructionsReviewed in the United States on May 22, 2022
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Readable and instructive.
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MsQueen
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Manual for MeditationReviewed in the United States on February 10, 2018
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This is an excellent manual for a serious individual who wants to learn how to meditate the way the Buddha did.
3 people found this helpful
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wm
4.0 out of 5 stars Four StarsReviewed in the United States on March 1, 2018
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item as described.
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Lawrence Yaslowitz
4.0 out of 5 stars Deep, really deep!Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2014
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This is a book to read slowly. The specific meditative techniques are doable. The explanations are enlightening and require more than one reading. May all beings benefit from a meditation practice.
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neville clay
5.0 out of 5 stars I think this is the one.Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 25, 2019
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Having read dozens of books on Mindfulness meditation, starting with Kabat-Zinn and moving further from the westernised de-Buddhismed mindfulness books to sources closer to the original, Buddhadasa Bhikku's classic exposition of the practice as described in the Anapanasat Sutta, lucidly translated by Santikaro Bhikku, feels like an essential source - not one to be rushed, or read over a weekend, but to be followed carefully step by step. Very pleased to have found it.
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Aki Karvonen
5.0 out of 5 stars Practical and clearReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 7, 2017
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Practical and clearly written manual for Anapanasati practice. Also, it gives a very good general introduction to (Theravada) Buddhism including the most important Pali words. It has proper amount of repetition to get the message through. Nice introduction and summary included.
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ignorethepain
5.0 out of 5 stars A Clear and Thorough IntroductionReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 17, 2019
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I found this book to be very helpful. It is clearly written and is easy to understand, although I'm sure there are deeper insights to be gained from further contemplation of its content. I've gained many insights from a first reading. It goes deeper than the basics of meditation, I feel.
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A Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A manual for serious beginners, and experienced meditatorsReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 1, 2007
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The book is a translation of a series of talks given by the late Buddhasa Bhikkhu, a renowned Thai meditation master and scholar of Buddhist teaching. Famous for his individual, and sometimes radical approach, when he died in 1993 he was acknowledged as among the most significant spiritual figures in the 20th century Buddhist world. His funeral reflected his life, no ceremony, no emphasis on him as a personality, but always pointing to the Dhamma, in other words, the ultimate reality of nature, or truth
The talks translated here are informal in tone, but extremely precise in giving instructions for the development of the 16 stages the Buddha proclaimed for breathing mindfulness meditation. This development covers both Samatha (calm) and Vipassana (insight) aspects of the breathing mindfulness practice. The 16 stages of breathing mindfulness culminate in the very highest attainment - enlightment - so even experienced meditators will gain much from careful and repeated readings of this text. Putting the stages into practice, by patient daily practice is the best way for lone meditators to establish mindfulness and eventually clear comprehension - but it is important to return to the text, as by our very nature we are more often than not asleep and miss or mis-interpret subtle but significant elements of the instructions for the practice. The emphasis is on direct experience, but also on following fully and completely the instructions given, if results are to be achieved. The reason for this is simple: the instructions provide a method for establishing the necessary conditions to experience the fruits of the practice. If the conditions are not in place, the results will not arise - cause is not present, so effect will not follow. Those who can should always seek a trusted and experienced meditation teacher if possible, as well as use the valuable material in this manual.
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bengoo
5.0 out of 5 stars The words of a venerable monk.Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 6, 2019
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Clear and precise details, no nonsense.
One person found this helpfulReport abuseBuddhism
Mindfulness with Breathing: A Manual for Serious Beginners
by
Any practitioner, after meditating for some time, inevitably wonders what meditation method the historical Buddha Shakyamuni himself used while beneath the Bodhi Tree. Many people understand that prior to his realization, Shakyamuni Buddha studied with many of the great yogis of his time, but most do not know what method he ultimately found leads most directly to nirvana. In Ajahn Buddhadasa Bhikkhu's book, Mindfulness With Breathing, the Thai meditation master provides practitioners with penetrating insights into the Anapanasati Sutta, the canonical text which many believe is the most direct transmission of Shakyamuni Buddha's breath meditation methods. Combined with a concise translation of the sutta itself, Mindfulness with Breathing is one of the best guides to Buddhist meditation practice available in the English language. (less)
Paperback, 158 pages
Published June 15th 1988 by Wisdom Publications
Original Title
Mindfulness With Breathing : A Manual for Serious Beginners
Edition Language
English
| Review of | ISBN 9780861711116 | |
| Rating | ||
| Shelves | to-read ( 1553rd ) | |
| Format | Paperback edit | |
| Status | June 1, 2022 – Shelved as: to-read June 1, 2022 – Shelved | |
| Review | Write a review | |
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This book discusses in detail the 16-step method of meditation based on mindfulness with breathing first presented by the Buddha in the Anapanasati Sutta, which is here interpreted and explained by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu for the benefit of modern-day meditators. Budhadasa's presentation follows the Buddha's original formulation closely; he interprets the steps and tries to make them clearer for the practitioner. Like all inspired teachers and orators, he also adds great commentary to the practice, employing innovative and entertaining ways of characterizing human psychology that are at once down-to-earth, stunningly accurate and painfully humorous. Supplementing Buddhadasa's presentation and commentary is the commentary of the translator Santikaro Bikkhu which gives more points for managing practice which are useful.
The 16 steps of Anapanasati proceed from the observation of kaya (body) to the observation of vedana (feeling), citta (mind) and finally dhamma. There are 4 steps of observation in each of the 4 categories, making 4 tetrads. For those who think 16 steps might be too much, Buddhadasa recommends doing just eight steps, focused on the 1st and 4th tetrads. Note that those who take this "shortcut method" of Anapanasati will be practicing something akin to the "bare insight" styles of vipassana that do not focus on the development of higher levels of concentration, and their factors of enlightenment will correspondingly be weaker, whereas those who develop all 4 tetrads will be able to utilize the combined power of (highly developed) concentration and mindfulness to achieve insight with perfected factors of enlightenment. This is because the 16 steps of Anapanasati actually help meditators to develop the factors of enlightenment to a very high degree - specifically, in the 2nd tetrad, rapture and tranquility are developed and perfected; in the 3rd and 4th tetrad, mindfulness, investigation of states, effort, concentration and equanimity all achieve perfection.
Towards the end of the Anapanasati Sutta, the Buddha explained how Anapanasati perfects Satipathana, which perfects the Seven Factors of Enlightenment, which perfects Knowledge and Liberation. So, Buddhadasa is quite right in pointing to Anapanasati as a core method of Satipathana practice. Buddhadasa considers the Anapanasati Sutta as the authoritative text on meditation practice because the Anapanasati Sutta actually lays out an easily practice-able method of meditation, unlike the Sattipathana Sutta which he deems as "just a list of names or dhammas...more than can be remembered." I think Buddhadasa's practical prioritization of the Anapanasati Sutta very wise, however, his dismissal of the Satipathana Sutta should not lead meditators to overlook this Sutta. In fact, the Satipathana Sutta actually gives the larger framework within which the Anapanasati Sutta should be understood. In the Satipathana Sutta, the Buddha was concerned with laying out a meditation method based on "Sati" or "Mindfulness", which can be applied to 4 categories of phenomena (body, feeling, mind, dhamma) taken as meditation subjects. Such "mindfulness meditation" can be developed in various ways. In the Anapanasati Sutta, the Buddha explained in detail one particular way in which meditators can develop their Satipathana practice by combining Mindfulness (Sati) with Breathing (Anapana), a combination that actually improves mindfulness and gives a compact way of practicing all 4 satipathanas.
This original 16-step Anapanasati method of the Buddha is indeed both more concise and more comprehensive than other popular methods of satipathana vipassana being taught today. First, these other contemporary methods might not necessarily highlight or make clear the practical way of progressing from one satipathana to the next like this presentation does. Second, the teachers of these methods often categorize Anapanasati as "samatha meditation" dividing it from "vipassana proper", ignoring the fact that the original Anapanasati method that arose out of the enlightened wisdom of the Buddha is the most perfect and skillful conception of samatha-vipassana ever, with serenity concentration playing an integral part all through the progressive development of insight. Third, unlike contemporary methods that borrow either too narrowly or too comprehensively from the Satipathana Sutta, the original Anapanasati practice is neither too truncated nor too long-winded; the 16 steps cover all essential bases and lead straight to the goal. Therefore, all Buddhist meditators will benefit greatly from studying the Anapanasati Sutta, which is explained so well by Buddhadasa here.
Buddhadassa Bhikku was a wise teacher, an accomplished yogi and a master of the Dhamma. This kind friend points out an authentic path that yields authentic fruit; a path practiced, praised and taught by the Buddha himself. Have faith in the the Fully Enlightened One in whose footsteps Buddhadasa follow - Anapanasati as taught here can lead to the final goal. (less)
The 16 steps of Anapanasati proceed from the observation of kaya (body) to the observation of vedana (feeling), citta (mind) and finally dhamma. There are 4 steps of observation in each of the 4 categories, making 4 tetrads. For those who think 16 steps might be too much, Buddhadasa recommends doing just eight steps, focused on the 1st and 4th tetrads. Note that those who take this "shortcut method" of Anapanasati will be practicing something akin to the "bare insight" styles of vipassana that do not focus on the development of higher levels of concentration, and their factors of enlightenment will correspondingly be weaker, whereas those who develop all 4 tetrads will be able to utilize the combined power of (highly developed) concentration and mindfulness to achieve insight with perfected factors of enlightenment. This is because the 16 steps of Anapanasati actually help meditators to develop the factors of enlightenment to a very high degree - specifically, in the 2nd tetrad, rapture and tranquility are developed and perfected; in the 3rd and 4th tetrad, mindfulness, investigation of states, effort, concentration and equanimity all achieve perfection.
Towards the end of the Anapanasati Sutta, the Buddha explained how Anapanasati perfects Satipathana, which perfects the Seven Factors of Enlightenment, which perfects Knowledge and Liberation. So, Buddhadasa is quite right in pointing to Anapanasati as a core method of Satipathana practice. Buddhadasa considers the Anapanasati Sutta as the authoritative text on meditation practice because the Anapanasati Sutta actually lays out an easily practice-able method of meditation, unlike the Sattipathana Sutta which he deems as "just a list of names or dhammas...more than can be remembered." I think Buddhadasa's practical prioritization of the Anapanasati Sutta very wise, however, his dismissal of the Satipathana Sutta should not lead meditators to overlook this Sutta. In fact, the Satipathana Sutta actually gives the larger framework within which the Anapanasati Sutta should be understood. In the Satipathana Sutta, the Buddha was concerned with laying out a meditation method based on "Sati" or "Mindfulness", which can be applied to 4 categories of phenomena (body, feeling, mind, dhamma) taken as meditation subjects. Such "mindfulness meditation" can be developed in various ways. In the Anapanasati Sutta, the Buddha explained in detail one particular way in which meditators can develop their Satipathana practice by combining Mindfulness (Sati) with Breathing (Anapana), a combination that actually improves mindfulness and gives a compact way of practicing all 4 satipathanas.
This original 16-step Anapanasati method of the Buddha is indeed both more concise and more comprehensive than other popular methods of satipathana vipassana being taught today. First, these other contemporary methods might not necessarily highlight or make clear the practical way of progressing from one satipathana to the next like this presentation does. Second, the teachers of these methods often categorize Anapanasati as "samatha meditation" dividing it from "vipassana proper", ignoring the fact that the original Anapanasati method that arose out of the enlightened wisdom of the Buddha is the most perfect and skillful conception of samatha-vipassana ever, with serenity concentration playing an integral part all through the progressive development of insight. Third, unlike contemporary methods that borrow either too narrowly or too comprehensively from the Satipathana Sutta, the original Anapanasati practice is neither too truncated nor too long-winded; the 16 steps cover all essential bases and lead straight to the goal. Therefore, all Buddhist meditators will benefit greatly from studying the Anapanasati Sutta, which is explained so well by Buddhadasa here.
Buddhadassa Bhikku was a wise teacher, an accomplished yogi and a master of the Dhamma. This kind friend points out an authentic path that yields authentic fruit; a path practiced, praised and taught by the Buddha himself. Have faith in the the Fully Enlightened One in whose footsteps Buddhadasa follow - Anapanasati as taught here can lead to the final goal. (less)
I read the first chapter after a retreat. Then I read the rest overnight on a guard gig. I think it's best to read this kind of book on retreat. I read it to try and jumpstart my practice. St. John of the Cross says reading a lot of books is a sign of spiritual immaturity.
Rosenberg's book Breath by Breath is the gold standard and this would be a good book to read second. I couldn't find another anapanasati book.
You can get this book free: http://www.dhammatalks.net/Books5/Bud... (less)
Rosenberg's book Breath by Breath is the gold standard and this would be a good book to read second. I couldn't find another anapanasati book.
You can get this book free: http://www.dhammatalks.net/Books5/Bud... (less)
Though the information on the Anapanasati sutra seemed solid, the presentation was not helpful to me. It was too technical, full of Pali words, and it was too rigid. Buddhadasa's Buddhism doesn't align well with how I practice meditation and think about the world; I did not enjoy the unforgiving structure or how certain it seemed that there was only one right way to do Vipassana meditation. I definitely learned from the book (a lot of terminology, some helpful), but I don't feel it translated in ...more
Everything by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu is a classic. He has a way of presenting the teaching of the Buddha in a simple yet profound, non-religious way. Do yourself a favor, just read it. Then do yourself a bigger favor and practice it. Four stars because it is unfortunately incomplete. Buddhadasa's failing health kept him from completing the talks that were the source material. (less)
So hard to "rate" dharma books! This one delivers a lot of material in a short space. A Thai meditation master expounds the Anapanasati Sutta, the only discourse of the Buddha in which he sets out a complete method and path of meditation. (less)
Along with Thich Nhat Hanh's 'Transformation and Healing,' this is the best introduction to the yogacara technique of zazen and practice. However, it is useless without a commitment to taking it slow and practicing each step thoroughly. Not for the faint of heart.
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Interesting and helpful in my meditation practice in some ways, but also a bit dry. Too rigid in instruction...I think some of this is probably lost in translation and culture.
will write!
This is a superb book for those serious about meditation and interested in Buddhism.
"Mindfulness with Breathing..." is a book on the technique of anapanasati meaning "mindfulness of breathing," a form of Buddhist meditation, taught by Gautama Buddha in primarily the Anapanasati Sutta. Buddhadasa Bhikkhu outlines sixteen contemplations of this sutta which are composed of four sets (tetrads) of four contemplations. The four objects of contemplations are kaya (body), vedana (feeling), citta (mind), and Dhamma (Truth).
Although the author's presentation of the Anapanasati Sutta is thorough, I believe, it appears way to technical and involved for the average reader and most aspirants would not be able to progress through the first tetrad. However, this is a very hopeful and encouraging book. The author speaks to the beginner practitioner and offers alternative simplified versions of this practice. I would highly recommend this book.
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Although the author's presentation of the Anapanasati Sutta is thorough, I believe, it appears way to technical and involved for the average reader and most aspirants would not be able to progress through the first tetrad. However, this is a very hopeful and encouraging book. The author speaks to the beginner practitioner and offers alternative simplified versions of this practice. I would highly recommend this book.
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I'm encouraged to keep meditating by this book, but mainly by Santikaro Bikkhu's "Translator's Conclusion," which also encourages me to revisit Buddhadasu Bhikku's teaching from the Anapanasati Sutta and to not be discouraged by it's seemingly demanding sixteen step analysis of the path through meditation to liberation. (less)
In the usual no fluff just stuff style of Venerable Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, a simple and direct practical commentary of the Anapanasati Sutta. Some familiarity with the Theravāda Buddhist tradition may be required though to fully appreciate the contents.
Read this on a whim, really quite good.
knygutė apie 16 žingsnių apanasati praktikos. kuria apliko buda, terminai pali kalba
I really appreciate the frankness of this book as a manual, as it says. I met Santikaro (translator) at MABA a number of years ago, and was relieved to find a merger of the social experience of living in a culture with many social oppressions and the personal experience of being alive. Most spiritual or buddhist things I encounter don't speak directly to the social, and that's too close to ignoring it, for me. This book doesn't reflect on that, but knowing it comes from that root is helpful to me. The techniques are straightforward and don't rely on woo woo mystique to convince you. (less)
Almost 5 stars. Comprehensive and thorough book for anyone interested in learning mindfulness meditation in depth. Best read in conjunction with a teachers advice, beginners mind, and time to practice the techniques
