Pure and Simple: The Extraordinary Teachings of a Thai Buddhist Laywoman - Softcover

Nanayon, Upasika Kee

Softcover

ISBN 10: 086171492X ISBN 13: 9780861714926

Publisher: Wisdom Publications, 2005

Synopsis

Upasika Kee was a uniquely powerful spiritual teacher. Evocative of the great Ajahn Chah, her teachings are earthy, refreshingly direct, and hard-hitting. In the twentieth century, she grew to become one of the most famous teachers in Thailand--male or female--all the more remarkable because, rarer still, she was not a monastic but a layperson. Her relentless honesty, along with her encouraging voice, is one reason so many contemporary Buddhist teachers recall Upasika Kee so fondly, and so often. With this book, readers seeking something reminiscent of the classic Mindfulness in Plain English can receive instruction on meditation practice as they become acquainted with the legacy of a renowned Buddhist figure. Pure and Simple, the first widely-available collection of her writings, will be gratefully received not only by those who knew Upasika Kee, but by anyone who encounters her for the first time in its pages.

About this title

About the Author

Upasika Kee Nanyon was a uniquely powerful spiritual teacher. Evocative of the great Ajahn Chah, her teachings are earthly, refreshingly direct, and hard hitting. In the twentieth century, she grew to become one of the most famous teachers in Thailand-male or female-all the more remarkable because, rarer still, she was not a monastic but a layperson. Her relentless honesty, along with her encouraging voice, lead many contemporary Buddhist teachers to recall Upasika Kee fondly and often. Pure and Simple is the first widely available collection of her writings.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu is the author of numerous books and articles. He is the abbot of Metta Forest Monastery in northern San Diego County.

Reviews

Upasika Kee (1901-78) was an extremely popular Buddhist teacher in Thailand, starting a retreat center in the hills outside Rajburi that still thrives today. In this rare collection of her writings, Upasika Kee displays relentless honesty in conveying her experience of, and devotion to, Dhamma practice. She says one must be uncompromising in one's dedication to upholding Buddhist precepts. To detach from ego-based thought, to persistently practice meditation and breath work, to tame the "monkey mind," these are the basics, and, in her opinion, the only road to awareness. According to Upasika Kee, without serious practice, one will never stop the suffering caused by the mental "defilements" that drive us. Readers just learning about Buddhism will find the book thought-provoking, but the real audience will be those already dedicated to Buddhist practice. Interestingly, Upasika Kee was self-taught, learning most of her practice from reading. It seems apropos for this book to be the means for other Buddhist devotees to follow suit. Janet St. John
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Edition details

• Publisher: Wisdom Publications
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 086171492X
• ISBN 13: 9780861714926
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288