Satipatthana: The Direct Path to Realization

This is, along with Bhikkhu Bodhis book on the Noble Eightfold Path, one of my favourite Dharma books. I find it very useful fir dipping back into and it is a goldmine of information on mindfulness; how to develop it, and how to use it in the investigation of our experience in order to ultimately free ourselves. It includes many crucial Buddhist teachings as they apply to munsfulness, such as five aggregates as they make up our subjective experience, the hindrances that sour our individual experiences of happiness and the five awakening factors that when present will promote happiness and freedom. The author is a brilliant academic (this was his doctoral thesis) and his work is very thoughtful, thorough and methodical. Everything is referenced wonderfully and everything is clear, logical and to the point. The author is also obviously also a passionate dharma practitioner sharing a highly practical and practisable labor of love with others interested in practising classical Buddhist mindfulness. I have purchased his other book as I rate the quality of the authors work so highly.

Solid discourse by a non-Asian scholar. Not a popular introduction that often strives to inspire, but very helpful nevertheless.

Such an amazing book- so clearly set out and easy to follow/understand. Guides one through the Satipatthana sutta leaving no stone unturned. Humble thanks to Ven. Analayo.

whoever studies the dhamma must read this book. it is fabulous. very insightful and written in simple language everyone can understand

The best book on the satipatthana that I have read in the last twenty five years. Of benefit to any practitioner of the middle way. Clear with good explanations. All it requires is being put into practice to achieve the benefits.

After first skimming looks very academic, but when you really start reading it you will find out that it is a very clear and enjoyable reading experience. Analayo is one of my favorite scholars in Buddhism, I really enjoy his writing style. Bhikkhu Bodhi is another favorite of mine, and surely many others' as well!

Personally found that it was too dense for my level of understanding, but for an academic this would be a fantastic book. I read other reviews saying the same but ignored it. It is heavy going.

Have only just received, so haven’t read yet, but book is beautifully produced, with a free book mark thrown in! Have not seen a book published in such a state that I would happily keep as a collectors item, and purchase another to read.

Very good

The teachings of the Buddha are to be lived, not merely philosophized. Fortunately, we have teachers who can present what the Buddha said in a way that is useful. What makes a teacher and a scholar potent and masterful is one who understands the message because he or she lives and breathes it; like Analayo. I bought this book because I passionately want to end suffering in my life and I want to have guidance in that path. I was impressed at the reviews here: the highest reviews of anything I have ever seen on Amazon. Yet, based on some of the reviews, I was a little concerned that it was going to be dry and difficult to relate to in laymen's terms. My concerns were completely unfounded. The words in this book are conveyed in the kindest spirit with the author gently, methodically and in great depth bringing color and life to the Satipatthana Sutta. I can't imagine a better guide to read and meditate with. I will take a section and read it carefully and then practice exactly what the instructions say. Over the course of days or weeks I will re-read the section gleaning more insight as fodder for my sittings until breakthrough after breakthrough the message is alive in me. This inspires me to move on and branch out into more and more of the Sutta, changing everything for me! I've only been studying and meditating on the Satipatthana Sutta for ten months and yet it has brought about profound strides in my practice. This book never ceases to pull me eagerly down the path. I have great gratitude to the venerable Analayo for this work. UPDATE: After this book was published, the author, Analayo, learned Chinese, Tibetan and Sanskrit in order to translate and compare the Satipatthana sutta versions in those languages. The result is an eye-opening treasure trove of insight on the message of the Buddha in the form of Ananayo's follow-up book, Perspectives on Sathipatthana. What was so neat and orderly in the Pali version of the Satipatthana sutta suddenly opened up grand vistas of the simplicity and power of the Buddha's teaching. I would most highly recommend "Perspectives on Sathipatthana" by Analayo.

Un comentario del Satipatthana Sutta absolutamente necesario para conocer a fondo y esclarecer los términos usados en el discurso original en lengua Pali. El venerable Analayo esclarece los términos de acuerdo a tres contextos: a) el significado de un término en el contexto general de los Sutras; b) el significado de un término en el Satipatthana Sutta; c) la interpretación de un término según la tradición de los comentarios. El panorama que ofrece este comentario es muy amplio, comparativo y puntual para todo aquel que desee profundizar en la práctica del BuddhaDharma según el budismo fundacional. No sería exagerado recomendar la lectura del comentario del ven. Analayo previo a la lectura de otros comentarios del Satipatthana Sutta

Olá, tudo bem? Espero que minha avaliação seja útil! Esta obra de Analayo é um tremendo comentário sobre o Satipatthana Sutta, do Cânone Páli, tratando de abordar minuciosamente todos os aspectos do discurso. É um importante guia para aqueles que buscam se aprofundar no conhecimento e na prática das quatro Satipatthanas, embora eu não aconselho - vendo de minha experiência - que este seja lido como um livro introdutório ao assunto. Quanto a entrega, só tenho elogios a fazer: em primeiro lugar, ficou mais em conta pedir pela Amazon BR que pedir pela Amazon do exterior, e o livro chegou em minhas mãos em perfeito estado, em segundo lugar, o livro chegou semanas antes do esperado, o que me foi um acontecimento feliz (talvez isso pudesse ser um impecilho para alguém que dependente do cumprimento do prazo...não sei). Enfim, cinco estrelas para o livro e para o serviço de importação e entrega realizado pela Amazon BR.

Stunningly well-written, including extremely insightful commentary on all aspects of the 4 Satipatthana. This book's content is what the modern day Goenka Vipassana movement drew all inspiration from, however the information presented herein is far more extensive than Goenka ever gets into. I would not recommend this to beginners, because extensive knowledge of the 4 Noble Truths, the 8-fold Path, impermanence, non-self, and breathing meditations are indispensable to understanding the content. For intermediate or advance readership, they will be hard-pressed to find a superior tome of knowledge on insight meditation. Bhikkhu Analayo has created a work of outstanding merit, I am very thankful this book has crossed my path.