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Thirsting for Enlightenment

Ayya Khema likens the path to a walk through the desert.

Ayya Khema

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Michael S. Wertz for TricycleThere are some apt similes for the first four meditative absorptions given by Buddhaghosa in his commentary, the “Visuddhimagga,” written in the fifth century. A man is wandering through the desert, carrying no water with him, and growing thirstier and thirstier. At last, he sees a pool in the distance and is filled with excitement and delight.

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