Esoteric Theravada: The Story of the Forgotten Meditation Tradition of Southeast Asia

In this insightful analysis, Crosby (Theravada Buddhism), a professor of Buddhist studies at King’s College, investigates the history and cultural context of boran kammatthana, or old meditation. Crosby opens with an exploration of boran kammatthana’s position in theravada Buddhism throughout Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, and its marginalization during the colonial and postcolonial era. According to Crosby, colonialism’s focus on science and secularization undermined various spiritual traditions, leading boran kammatthana to become disconnected from a holistic network of integrated practices. Through social and political shifts in Southeast Asia, boran kammatthana was gradually supplanted by a theravada tradition that emphasized textual study, scientific rationalism, and commonsense understandings of texts. As for boran kammatthana itself, Crosby explains it is an orthodox practice following third-century Abhidhamma frameworks that focused on integrating and systematizing early Buddhist doctrines. Crosby’s careful and robust study will be eye-opening for Western Buddhist circles. While the barrier of entry is rather high for lay readers, those with a deep familiarity with Buddhism will find this stimulating. (Dec.)