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