Drawing exhaustively on a wide range of sources both primary and secondary, and in particular on the Pali texts, Rupert Gethin offers a comprehensive study of ‘the thirty-seven conditions that contribute to awakening’ , a classic set of Buddhist teachings which takes us from the four contemplations that establish mindfulness to a full realization of the noble eightfold path. He examines these conditions both individually and collectively, revealing how early Buddhist thinkers understood the process of spiritual practice by which our ordinary consciousness can be transformed into the ‘awakened’ consciousness characterized by the wisdom and compassion of a Buddha. Sensitive and conscientious, this study not only provides a fascinating new insight into the textual sources that govern the Buddhist religious life, but also illustrates some of the forces and concerns that influenced the development of Buddhist thought. Featuring many passages from the primary texts, along with full notes and an extensive bibliography, this book will be appreciated by scholars and students alike.
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