An introduction to friendliness (mettā): Emotional intelligence and freedom in the Pāli discourses of the Buddha

Authors

Synopsis

Friendliness (mettā in Pāli) is an emotional and intentional attitude of goodwill and non-aversion towards all sentient beings, including oneself. It is rooted in both feeling and understanding. In the Pāli discourses of the Buddha, friendliness is repeatedly stressed and encouraged for its numerous benefits. It supports and develops a form of emotional intelligence and provides an ideal pathway to explore deeper aspects of one’s experience and their philosophical implications. Friendliness is best understood not in isolation, but rather in the broader context of the Buddha’s teachings. In that context, it plays an essential role as a catalyst for the unfolding of the whole Buddhist path. Friendliness, then, can be a particularly interesting thread to follow in order to unpack the meaning and practical implications of the core teachings conveyed in the discourses. This introduction combines meditation practice, philosophy, and the reading of ancient texts in order to show how friendliness can function both as an entry point to explore the landscape of the discourses, and how that same landscape unfolds from the perspective disclosed by friendliness.

Cover design / Typesetting: LINE UP boek en media bv | Mirjam Kroondijk

Publisher: University of Groningen Press
Broerstraat 4 9712 CP Groningen

Production support: LINE UP boek en media bv

The softcover version of this book (ISBN: 9789403429311) can be ordered via Print on demand directly on the site of our partner  Uitgeverij kleine Uil, and through all regular (internet) bookshops.

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This publication is peer reviewed

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Author Biography

Andrea Sangiacomo

Andrea Sangiacomo (1986) is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Groningen, where he currently teaches global hermeneutics and ancient Buddhist philosophy.

His research interests include Western early modern philosophy and science, soteriological conceptions of selfhood in a cross-cultural perspective, and ancient Buddhist thought and practice.

Personal website: https://www.dhammavicaya.com/

Cover image An introduction to friendliness (mettā)

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Published

September 5, 2022

Categories

Keywords:

Buddhist philosophy, Emotions, Friendliness, Meditation, Ancient India, Compassion, Contemplative practices, Intentionality, Desire, Loving-kindness

Details about the available publication format: PDF

PDF

ISBN-13 (15)

9789403429410

Date of first publication (11)

2022-09-05

Last reprint date (12)

2023-09-27

Details about the available publication format: EPUB

EPUB

ISBN-13 (15)

9789403429427

Date of first publication (11)

2022-09-05

Last reprint date (12)

2023-09-27