Exploring how notions of solitude in Pali literature are encompassed in various literary forms, such as stock formulae, poetry, narrative, and imagery, this book includes close analysis of some of the most famous Buddhist verses about solitary practice.
Indaka Nishan Weerasekera considers how solitude is valued as one significant aspect of the Buddhist path, including how the imagery of landscape, especially the forest, serves to both inspire solitary practice as well as functions as a metaphor for meditation.
The author employs a cross-section of primary sources to explore the practical and psychological aspects of solitude in relation to Buddhist meditation, as well as relational/attitudinal concepts such as renunciation or desirelessness, independence, and self-reliance. This ‘lonely’ aspect of the Buddhist path sits alongside the ‘communal’ aspect of the Buddhist teachings. Together, they serve to maintain monastic harmony, while the ‘social’ aspect preserves monastic relations with wider society.
Preface
Abbreviations
Introduction
1. Lonely Becomes the Path: Renunciation and Community
2. Right Solitude and the Gradual Path
3. Alone at the End of the Path
4. 'Living Alone': The Khaggavisana-sutta and Tales of paccekabuddhas
5 .The Call to the Forest: Solitude and the Language of the Landscape
6. United in Mind, Separated by Body: Solitude and Companionship in Buddhist Narrative
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
Height:
Width:
Spine:
Weight:0.00