Issue at hand, chapter 21 on metta, by gil fronsdal issue at hand, chapter 22. The metta sutta is a beautiful example of how we can bring loving kindness to difficult. Thereon the buddha instructed them in the metta sutta and advised their return equipped with this sutta for their protection. You may also be interested in the document building a sutta library. Pdf lovingkindness meditation by bhante sujiva pdf bhante sujiva has dedicated his life to buddhist teachings. The purpose is the same that the buddha had for his teachings, to guide us toward the end of suffering and the attainment of freedom. Metta can foster a closeness in our relationships to others. I later learned that he the guiding teacher of the insight meditation center imc of redwood city, california. All of these books are available in both print and ebook epub, kindle, pdf without drm.
The dhammapada audio dharma by gil fronsdal metta refuge. Metta metta, or lovingkindness, is one of the most important buddhist practices. Imc is a communitybased meditation center in redwood city, ca for the practice of insight meditation guided by gil fronsdal and andrea fella. The book that changed my life september 5, 20 bodhipaksa 7 comments in the late 1970s, between finishing high school and going to university, i opened a small book. Most talks we podcast are by gil fronsdal and the insight meditation center. Guided metta by gil fronsdal mindfulness exercises. All living beings, whether weak or strong, tall, stout, average or short, seen or unseen, near or distant, born or to be born, may they all be happy. The metta sutta, translated by gil fronsdal in his book, the issue at hand what is boundless hearts. The sutta contains the essential teachings of the four noble truths and the noble eightfold path. It is with great pleasure that i present this loving kindness meditation with gil fronsdal. An inspiring and very accessible compilation of essays and edited talks on the buddhist practice of mindfulness. This present volume, prepared as a study guide companion for a sutta study. When describing metta, the buddha used the analogy of the care a mother gives her only child.
We begin with our self and gradually extend the wish for wellbeing happiness. Gil fronsdals new book is a translation of and commentary on the chapter. Place them in the large book donation box in the library. Instructions for metta meditation and the 6rs by bhante. I have always been touched by gils gentle, loving approach to the practice, and his wisdom in guiding students to more and more skillful means.
Metta has three distinct roles in buddhist practice. Gil fronsdals new book is a translation of and commentary on the chapter of the eights ahakavagga, the fourth chapter of the suttanipata, itself a miscellaneous collection of pali buddhist verses including such classics as the kara. The lovingkindness sutta sings out the heart of the practice. I met gil fronsdal once at a lecture given by jon kabatzinn. To practice lovingkindness meditation, sit in a comfortable and relaxed manner.
Gil brings the practice of mindfulness not only to. This page was created from the metta sutta pages by andy olendzki that were formerly at the bcbs web site. Lovingkindness metta metta, or lovingkindness is the heartfelt wish for the wellbeing of oneself and others. This is an excellent rendering of the sutta nipata, one of the most profound texts from the theravada tipitika, and more specifically, the sutta pitaka. Books that we do not accept will be taken to book buyers in mountain view to receive book credits for the library. It is taught in the discourse on lovingkindness the metta sutta, a beautiful.
Metta bhavana lovingkindness meditation venerable dhammarakkhita venerable dhammarakkhita is an australian buddhist monk of the myanmar th eravada tradition. Abundant, exalted, immeasurable by ajahn pasanno, this book is a collection of ajahn pasannos teachings on the subject of metta, or livingkindness, in the buddhas teachings. The canon is a collection of work that is considered by many buddhists to be the most complete and accurate representation of what the buddha and his disciples taught. Fronsdal lays out the challenges a translator of an ancient text faces. It is also available as at the zencast podcast at apples itunes store. Metta meditation brief instructions for metta meditation from the issue at hand. The dhammapada audio dharma by gil fronsdal metta refuge for those who are unsteady of mind, who do not know true dharma, and whose serenity wavers, wisdom does not mature. If you have credits at book buyers that you wish to donate to imc, please ask them to give credit to the insight meditation center account. Dec 10, 2009 gil fronsdal was one of the very first teachers i discovered in my dharma practice. Cultivating friendliness and goodwill is an important partner to mindfulness meditation. The middle length discourses majjhima nikaya is one of the most important anthologies of the teachings and religious practices attributed to the buddha.
The videos and study guides function as the lectures for the class, helping to bring the richness of this early literature alive. Metta dharma foundation mid peninsula insight meditation center noah levine dharma punx talks sacramento buddhist meditation group dharma talks from spirit rock free on soundcloud spirit rock meditation center sutta readings vipassana fellowship vipassana meditation as taught by sn goenka urban monk. This present volume, prepared as a study guide companion for a sutta. The following is a basic set of instructions from the book the issue at hand by gil fronsdal. Bhante g stresses in his book that first thing to do, is relax. Gil fronsdal gives us a bit of a list focused on what it isnt.
This classic text of teaching verses from the earliest period of buddhism in india conveys the philosophical and practical foundations of the buddhist tradition. Satthipattana sutta, metta sutta and the udana, many consider sutta nipata to represent the peak teachings within early buddhism. The practice of metta meditation is the systematic cultivation of our capacity for lovingkindness. I was always touched by gil s gentle, loving approach to the practice, and his wisdom in guiding students to more and more skillful means. Some of the earliest recorded sayings of the buddha on the practice of freedom, passages from later indian scriptures on the perfection of wisdom, verses from tibetan masters on the enlightened mind, and songs in praise of meditation by zen teachers are among the selections. I later learned that he the guiding teacher of the insight meditation center. Capable and upright, straightforward and easy to speak. To reach the state of peace one skilled in the good should be capable and upright. One recites specific words and phrases evoking a boundless warmhearted feeling.
This book was written by gil fronsdal as a gift to the community. After extensive and intensive practice in vipassanamindfulnessinsight meditation in australia and myanmar, his teacher venerable chanmyay sayadaw. By means of a questionandanswer dialogue with his audience. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Therefore the buddha advised them to return to the forest and taught them the metta sutta as an object of meditation, as well as for their protection. Contemporary insight meditation teacher gil fronsdal describes the hindrances as a very important list of mental states that have a big impact on meditation practice and peoples daily lives. The strength of this feeling is not limited to or by family, religion, or social class. I believe the book is directed to those of us who are secular buddhists, looking for a way to live the current life without all the speculation and makebelieve of religious buddhism. He is both a vipassana meditation teacher and a soto zen priest of the san francisco zen center. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the buddha before buddhism. Metta, or lovingkindness, is one of the most important buddhist practices.
These audio talks are available at many sources on the internet, such audio and the insight meditation center. The pali word metta shares roots with the words gentleness and friendliness, and the belief is that metta is actually a combination of these pali terms. An excerpt from the book the issue at hand by gil fronsdal. This clear book on the practice of metta can be a very helpful companion in developing this practice.
Mindfulness complements lovingkindness by guarding it from becoming partial or sentimental. Audio dharma is an archive of dharma talks given by gil fronsdal and various guest speakers at the insight meditation center in redwood city, ca. Metta sutta translated by gil fronsdal to reach the state of peace one skilled in the good should be capable and upright, straightforward and easy to speak to, gentle and not proud, contented and. Sep 22, 2014 tweet tweetit is with great pleasure that i present this loving kindness meditation with gil fronsdal. He has trained in both the japanese soto zen tradition and the insight meditation lineage of theravada buddhism of southeast asia. The noble eightfold path, bhikkhu bodhi what the buddha taught, walpola rahula the buddha and his teaching, narada thera dont look down on the defilements. The source book is metta bhavana lovingkindness meditation by. Concentration 98 receptive awareness 102 awakeningawareness set free 105 taking refuge 108.
The dhammapada, gil fronsdal in the buddhas words, bhikkhu bodhi the miracle of mindfulness, thich nhat hanh. Metta dharma foundation mid peninsula insight meditation center noah levine dharma punx talks sacramento buddhist meditation group dharma talks from spirit rock free on soundcloud spirit rock meditation center sutta readings vipassana fellowship vipassana meditation as. Boundless hearts is an organization of spiritual care companions and chaplains providing spiritual care to communities and individuals in the san francisco east bay. It is freely given and available online in the following languages. Inspiring paragraph from the issue at hand by gil fronsdal. Metta sutta karaniya metta sutta metta loving kindness is one of the four immeasurables or four divine states of buddhism. The text presents two distinct goals for leading a spiritual life. Is there any sutta on five precepts in which the buddha describes them in positive not negative way. Belonging to the thai forest tradition, for 22 years he studied under the forest master ajahn fuang jotiko himself a student of ajahn lee. Read or download the issue at hand is freely offered and available in the following languages. The buddha before buddhism by gil fronsdal has the subtitle wisdom from the early teachings, and provides a new translation, with commentary, of the atthakavagga, or book of eights. For example, the title of the dhammapadas first chapter, usually rendered as twin verses or paired verses, fronsdal names dichotomies.
The pali word metta shares roots with the words gentleness and friendliness, and the belief is that metta is. Most simply, metta is the heartfelt wish for the wellbeing of oneself and others. The dhammapada is the most widely read buddhist scripture in existence, enjoyed by both buddhists and nonbuddhists. What is a sutta practice broadly speaking, a sutta practice is a regular habit of interacting directly with the suttas in a way that lifts the heart and brings us to faith in the blessed one, his dhamma, and his sangha of enlightened disciples. Since 1993 he has served as abbot of the metta forest monastery in san diego county, california the first monastery in the thai forest tradition in. Dhammacakkappavattana sutta setting in motion the wheel of dhamma. Each talk illuminates aspects of the buddhas teachings.
Aug 06, 2010 i would like to offer here at metta refuge the complete dhammapada as translated and read by gil fronsdal. Common ground meditation center practices of lovingkindness. Readings from this book the experience of insight, joseph goldstein a path with heart, jack kornfield. The practice of metta meditation is a beautiful support to other awareness practices. Published articles by gil fronsdal books by gil fronsdal dharma stories by gil fronsdal reflections from gil. Gil fronsdal wide awake diana winston the heart of buddhas teaching. I found this to be so instructive that i want to share this with you in its entirety. When describing metta, the buddha used the analogy of the care a. The brooklyn zen center library houses our collection of books, including introductions to zen practice, the foundational teachings, primary sources, commentaries, and the teachings of historical and modern teachers. Metta practice complements mindfulness by encouraging an attitude of friendliness toward our experience regardless of how difficult it may be. A 5week online class taught by gil fronsdal, diana clark and david lorey.
The metta sutta is a beautiful example of how we can bring lovingkindness to difficult. Metta meditation the practice of metta meditation is a beautiful support to other awareness practices. He has been teaching and leading retreats since 1984 in malaysia, and internationally since 1995. They will laugh at you, sayadaw u tejaniya living this life fully, stories and teaching of munindra, mirka knaster readings from this book. Gil has trained in both the soto zen and insight meditation schools of buddhism since 1975 and has a. The metta sutta is the name used for two buddhist discourses pali.
Mar, 2018 here, bhante describes the instructions of the metta meditation and practice of the 6rs to eliminate hindrances. Those bhikkhus returned to the forest, chanted the metta sutta, and practised metta meditation. The first two pages of the preface to gil fronsdal s translation say it all. Whilst the atthakavagga isnt the best known of buddhist texts, it is widely believed to be one of the earliest, and it presents the core of the buddhas teaching without reference to many of the concepts. The course consists of weekly readings of suttas from the middle length discourses plus short videos, audio recordings and study guides written by gil fronsdal.
Audio dharma is an archive of dharma talks given by gil fronsdal and various. The practice of metta comes from the karaniya metta sutta, which you. Grateful acknowledgment is made to gil fronsdal for his permission to include his translation of the metta sutta in his book the issue at hand. Loving kindness practice is a practice of goodwill for oneself and for someone else. Currently reading a translation by gil fronsdal, and i have to say i really like it. Audio book sutta reading from the pali canon originally the buddhas teachings were preserved orally by monks trained in memorization. Along with dhammapadda, satthipattana sutta, metta sutta and the udana, many consider sutta nipata to represent the peak teachings within early buddhism.
Sutta translations translations of articles transcribed talks. Excerpts from the book the issue at hand by gil fronsdal. Metta sutta as a mother would risk her life to protect her child, her only child. There are many wonderful translations of the dhammapada from its original pali, but one of my favorites is the fairly recent translation by gil fronsdal. Jonathan haidt, who studies morality and emotion, at the nyustern school of business, discusses the buddhist classic, the dhammapada, on five books the dhammapada is one of the greatest psychological works ever written, and certainly one of the greatest before 1900. An anthology of discourses from the pali canon the teachings of the buddha.
Mr fronsdal s commentaries of the sections of this sutta provide us with excellent teachings on how to live the buddhas way. Chant of metta sutta given at service at samish island sesshin june 2008. Since 2005 we have been sharing one inspiring dharma talk every sunday with friends around the world. Fronsdal emphasizes that it is important not to see the hindrances as. This is the first part of the brahmavihara practice or what he calls twim or. The one, more often chanted by theravadin monks, is also referred to as kara. Metta is lovingkindness, is one of the cornerstones of buddhist practice and a companion of mindfulness. Both the meaning and the poetic pace and style seem to be intact, as far as i can see. If you find these talks helpful in your practice, we encourage you to visit the insight meditation center and audio dharma websites to fully explore the wonderful imc community. The other three are compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. Practices of lovingkindness common ground meditation center. Order a free english or spanish paperback in the u. This treasury of essential buddhist writings draws from the most popular indian, tibetan, chinese, and japanese sources. Excerpts from the book the issue at hand by gil fronsdal may all beings be happy.
Jul 26, 2018 metta or lovingkindness is one of the three meditative disciplines that gautama siddhartha, the buddha of history taught. How to cultivate a heart of metta lovingkindness, no matter how others may try to provoke you. Wisdom from the early teachings kindle edition by fronsdal, gil. The monks went back to the forest, and practicing the instruction conveyed, permeated the whole atmosphere with their radiant thoughts of metta or lovingkindness. Gil fronsdal, a teacher in northern california, has been known to use. Gil fronsdal, a noted teacher in northern california, has been known to use the term gentle. Gil fronsdal, a teacher in northern california, has been known to use the term gentle friendliness, which is the translation we most often use. This book, a collection of poignant and meaningful essays on mindfulness meditation and buddhist practice, was written by gil fronsdal as a gift to the community. Sati center for buddhist studies online sutta study. These are mental states or qualities cultivated by buddhist practise. Anattalakkhana sutta the discourse on the notself characteristic the buddhas second discourse, in which he discusses the principle of anatta notself with the group of five ascetics.
He talks about the dhammapadas history in english, about how a translation mirrors the viewpoint of the translator pp. This is the buddhas first discourse, delivered shortly after his awakening to the group of five monks with whom he had practiced the austerities in the forest for many years. It is found in the pali canons khuddakapatha and sutta nipata with the title metta sutta the discourse on friendliness. Dec 27, 2010 this page contains contact information specifically for print copies of sutta texts, either for purchase, free distribution or pdf download. As gil fronsdal states, the search for the issue at hand is the search for what is closest at hand, for what is directly seen, heard, smelt, tasted, felt, and cognized in the present. Listening to recordings of the suttas can put us back in touch with this tradition. Excerpts gratefully reprinted from the issue at hand by gil fronsdal, guiding teacher of insight meditation center. Gil has practiced zen and vipassana since 1975 and has a ph. The abhassara, subhakinha, and vehapphala devas are all brahmas on the level of form.
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