In this episode I am once again joined by Leigh Brasington, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of ‘Right Concentration, A Practical Guide to the Jhanas’.
Leigh discusses his latest book, ‘Gradual Training: The Buddha’s Step-by-Step Guide for Awakening’, in which Leigh lays a 13 step training which culminates in enlightenment.
Leigh explains the scriptural origins of this formulation, why it is so crucial for meditation success, and speculates as to why it is so rarely taught by Buddhist teachers in America.
Leigh also emphasises the importance of moral precepts, wrestles with contradictions in the Buddhist scriptures, considers how the scriptures have been altered over the centuries, and reveals his opinion of Buddhist claims to psychic powers.
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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep253-the-buddhist-path-leigh-brasington
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
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Topics Include:
00:00 - Intro
00:53 - Leigh’s latest book
02:09 - A life changing meditation encounter
03:00 - The gradual training
05:05 - Training in insight practice under Ayya Khema
05:49 - Leigh’s insight journey
07:31 - Why isn’t gradual training taught in Western Buddhism?
07:55 - Buddhist teacher schtick
09:00 - People don’t teach the suttas
09:47 - 13 steps to awakening
12:23 - Origin and evolution of the 13-step Gradual Training
13:23 - The Buddhist scriptures have been tampered with
15:23 - Evolution of the doctrine of 12 links of dependent origination
16:34 - Philological implications
17:51 - Did the Buddha have supernatural powers?
21:59 - Contradictions in Buddhist scripture
24:11 - Early vs late suttas
26:20 - When were the suttas composed?
29:39 - When was the gradual training devised?
31:11 - Gradual training vs Lamrim
32:35 - Fruits of the spiritual life
36:38 - Keeping the precepts
40:08 - Guarding the senses
42:41 - Mindfulness and clear comprehension
44:47 - Contentment with little
47:04 - Overcoming hinderances
49:12 - Are psychic powers real?
50:14 - Meditation or morality?
54:13 - Consequences of skipping ethics
58:05 - Do the precepts spoil the fun of life?
01:01:19 - What makes practice life changing?
01:02:36 - Enjoyment without attachment
01:04:17 - The power of motivation to change habits
01:06:19 - How Leigh gave up pot and sweets
01:08:19 - How to do insight practice
01:09:08 - Future writing projects
01:13:30 - Why Leigh publishes his books for free
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Previous episodes with Leigh Brasington:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=brasington
To find our more about Leigh Brasington visit:
- http://www.leighb.com/
For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
Guru Viking Podcast