Swallowing the River Ganges : A Practice Guide to the Path of Purification

by Flickstein, Matthew; Gunaratana, Bhante Henepola

• ISBN13: 9780861711789
• ISBN10: 0861711785
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-09-01
• Publisher: Wisdom Publications

Summary

An invaluable roadmap for anyone who meditates, Swallowing the River Ganges is a comprehensive practice guide to the "great treatise" of Theravadan Buddhism, the "path of purification" (Visuddhimagga). Written in the fifth century, this encyclopedic manual of Buddhist doctrine and meditation organizes the various teachings of the Buddha into one clear path. Step by step, this meditation course guides readers through the seven stages of purification, explaining the teachings and putting them into a modern context.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xi
Preface	xv
Acknowledgments	xvii
The Path of Purification	1	(10)
The Unfolding of Awareness	3	(1)
The Seven Stages of Purification	4	(3)
The Framework Provided by the Four Noble Truths	7	(4)
Purification of Virtue	11	(20)
Observing the Precepts	14	(8)
Engaging in Right Forms of Livelihood	22	(2)
Cultivating a Wise Attitude Toward Material Goods	24	(2)
Guarding the Sense Doors	26	(5)
Purification of Mind	31	(20)
Levels of Concentration	34	(1)
Practicing Mindfulness of Breathing for Concentration	35	(11)
The Mental Factors Associated with the First Jhana	46	(5)
Purification of View	51	(20)
Principles of Insight Mediation	54	(5)
The Assurance of Attainment	59	(1)
Practicing Mindfulness of Breathing for Insight	60	(4)
Working with the Five Hindrances	64	(5)
Knowledge of Delimitation of Mind and Matter	69	(2)
Purification by Overcoming Doubt	71	(24)
Mindfulness of the Body	73	(14)
Mindfulness of Feelings	87	(6)
Knowledge of Conditionality	93	(2)
Purification by Knowledge and Vision of What Is the Path and What Is Not the Path	95	(44)
Mindfulness of Consciousness	99	(4)
Mindfulness of Dhammas	103	(31)
Knowledge by Comprehension	134	(1)
The Initial Phase of the Knowledge of Arising and Passing Away	135	(1)
The Ten Corruptions of Insight	135	(4)
Purification by Knowledge and Vision of the Way	139	(16)
Remaining Present with Choiceless Awareness	142	(1)
The Mature Phase of the Knowledge of Arising and Passing Away	143	(2)
The Knowledge of Dissolution	145	(1)
The Knowledge of the Fearful	145	(1)
The Knowledge of Contemplation of Danger	146	(1)
The Knowledge of Disenchantment	147	(1)
The Desire for Deliverance	148	(1)
The Knowledge of Re-observation	149	(1)
The Knowledge of Equanimity Toward Formations	150	(1)
The Knowledge of Conformity with Truth	151	(4)
Purification by Knowledge and Vision	155	(12)
The Insight Leading to Emergence	157	(1)
The Change of Lineage	158	(1)
The Path Knowledges	159	(5)
The Fruition Knowledges	164	(1)
The Knowledge of Reviewing	164	(1)
Reaching the Higher Paths and Fruition Attainments	165	(2)
Living an Enlightened Life	167	(4)
Bibliography	171	(2)
Index	173	(8)
About the Author	181