‘A Meditator’s Life Of The Buddha’ by Anālayo, Windhorse Publishing

Another key work that will guide my re-introduction to Buddhism is ‘A Meditator’s Life Of The Buddha’ by Anālayo, Windhorse Publishing:

The book opens with a quote from the Madhyama-āgama, a Chinese parallel to the Upāli-sutta of the Majjhima-nikāya:

This verse is spoken by a former Jain follower of the Buddha, this is not only a potential reflection of the qualities of the Buddha, but qualities to keep in mind that we ourselves are to cultivate:

1. “He fared rightly, meditating and reflecting”

His lived rightly in regards to ethical conduct, meditating and reflecting on his own conduct and the welfare of all beings. Meditative practice and reflecting combined together enabling him to discover the path to liberation.

2. “With his unperturbed purity”

“Unperturbed” suggests blameless ethical conduct. His post-awakening “purity” is free of greed, anger and delusion and made him one who

3. “Smiled and had no anger”

The beauty of a purified mind is one that can smile with compassion, empathetic joy, loving kindness, equanimity and strong, balanced awakening factors and is free of anger 

4. “Delighting in seclusion”

Is not only something for us to emulate, but suggests a mind that is fundamentally okay and equanimous in any situation and can delight in seclusion, seclusion being what the rest of the world runs from

5. “Fearlessly, he invariably focused on what is essential”

This is wisdom akin to the Stoics of Ancient Greece and Rome, it is a clear cut focus on what really matters.

May we all cultivate these qualities that are reflected in the Buddha’s liberation 

Sadhu sadhu sadhu Bhikkhu Anālayo