Ayya Khema

The Meditative Mind

The Meditative Mind

This book contains ten talks on the meditative development of the mind given by the Buddhist nun Ayya Khema.

In a clear and straightforward manner Ayya Khema describes the skilful means to gain meditative clarity and peace. The talks were given during an intensive meditation retreat held in Sri Lanka.


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About Ayya Khema

Ayya KhemaWhat is Buddhism? (August 25, 1923 – November 2, 1997) was a Buddhist teacher noted for providing opportunities for women to practice Buddhism, founding several centers around the world. Over two dozen books of her transcribed Dhamma talks in English and German have been published.

Khema's desire to become a Buddhist nun led her to Thailand where she studied with Tan Ajahn Singtong for three months. Sri Lanka was her next destination where she met Nyanaponika Thera who introduced her to Narada Maha Thera. Naranda Thera gave her the name "Ayya Khema".

A 1983 return trip to Sri Lanka, led her to meet her teacher, Ven. Matara Sri Ñānarāma of Nissarana Vanaya, who inspired her to teach jhana meditation. As it was not possible at the time to organize an ordination ceremony for bhikkhunis in the Theravada tradition, Ayya Khema then received complete monastic ordination at the newly built Hsi Lai Temple, a Chinese Mahayana temple under the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order, in 1988.

You yourselves must strive, the Buddhas only point the way

Buddha, Dhp 276