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Pure and Simple: The Extraordinary Teachings of a Thai Buddhist Laywoman Paperback – May 15, 2005

by Upasika Kee Nanayon (Author), Thanissaro Bhikkhu (Translator)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 88 ratings
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Upasika Kee was a uniquely powerful spiritual teacher. Evocative of the great Ajahn Chah, her teachings are earthy, refreshingly direct, and hard-hitting. In the twentieth century, she grew to become one of the most famous teachers in Thailand--male or female--all the more remarkable because, rarer still, she was not a monastic but a layperson. Her relentless honesty, along with her encouraging voice, is one reason so many contemporary Buddhist teachers recall Upasika Kee so fondly, and so often. With this book, readers seeking something reminiscent of the classic Mindfulness in Plain English can receive instruction on meditation practice as they become acquainted with the legacy of a renowned Buddhist figure. Pure and Simple, the first widely-available collection of her writings, will be gratefully received not only by those who knew Upasika Kee, but by anyone who encounters her for the first time in its pages.
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  1. Print length
    252 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Wisdom Publications
  4. Publication date
    May 15, 2005
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    086171492X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0861714926
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

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Upasika Kee (1901-78) was an extremely popular Buddhist teacher in Thailand, starting a retreat center in the hills outside Rajburi that still thrives today. In this rare collection of her writings, Upasika Kee displays relentless honesty in conveying her experience of, and devotion to, Dhamma practice. She says one must be uncompromising in one's dedication to upholding Buddhist precepts. To detach from ego-based thought, to persistently practice meditation and breath work, to tame the "monkey mind," these are the basics, and, in her opinion, the only road to awareness. According to Upasika Kee, without serious practice, one will never stop the suffering caused by the mental "defilements" that drive us. Readers just learning about Buddhism will find the book thought-provoking, but the real audience will be those already dedicated to Buddhist practice. Interestingly, Upasika Kee was self-taught, learning most of her practice from reading. It seems apropos for this book to be the means for other Buddhist devotees to follow suit. Janet St. John
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"She is described as one of the foremost lay Buddhist teachers of the twentieth century, but many Western readers will be introduced to Upasika Kee Nanayon for the first time in Pure and Simple. Born in Thailand at the turn of the century, Upasika Kee gave up the family business in mid-life to found a forest retreat center, where she devoted herself to meditation and study until her death in 1993. Thanissaro Bhikkhu, an American who studied in the Forest Tradition for twenty years in Thailand, is a translator of Pali and Thai and here he turns his adept hand to Upasika Kee. She was a Buddhist from the old school who talked the talk and walked the walk. The book's title neatly summarizes the themes that run through many of these talks: keep it pure by staying away from defilements, and keep it simple by avoiding distractions. That's keeping it real, Upasika Kee-style." ― Shambhala Sun

"Upasika Kee teaches from her own experience in a voice that is clear and unwavering. Her devotion to liberation is apparent everywhere on these pages." -- Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Faith

"Wonderful news! These extraordinary teachings are now available for a wide readership. Upasika Kee presents Buddhadharma in a simple, direct and unadorned way. Profound insights and approaches to practice are delivered with a freshness that seems to be coming right out of her own meditations--right then and there." -- Larry Rosenberg, Senior teacher, Cambridge Insight Meditation Center and Insight Meditation Society, and author of Breath by Breath and Living in the Light of Death

"Delve deeper into your own spiritual practice with Pure and Simple, a translation of the teachings of Upasika Kee Nanayon, a Thai Buddhist laywoman and the foremost woman Dharma teacher of 20th-century Thailand." ― Body and Soul

"Upasika Kee broke through to complete inner peace. Here is one woman's universal achievement." -- Kate Wheeler, editor of Nixon Under the Bodhi Tree and Other Works of Buddhist Fiction

"Upasika Kee is a true 'dharma warrior.' Her teaching is always uncompromising and tough-as-nails. She always speaks the truth no matter what." -- Mu Soeng, author of Trust in Mind and The Diamond Sutra

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wisdom Publications; First Edition (May 15, 2005)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 252 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 086171492X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0861714926
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 88 ratings

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Kō̜. Khaosūanlūang

Kō̜. Khaosūanlūang

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
88 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

daj
5.0 out of 5 stars Bare Bones, Uncompromising Teaching
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2022
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From the first words it's obvious she speaks not from great erudition, but from her direct, personal realization. This book is exactly what I have been searching for, a true unrecognized gem. It's not a book for someone accustomed to the light read peppered with anecdotes and amusing personal side notes typically used to keep a reader engaged. She does not draw on famous quotes or reference scholarly teachings. She cites the Buddha here and there, and the rest is simply her, teaching, instructing. She knows the terrain intimately, and she is hard nosed in guiding others to discover this truth. If you bristle at repetition and laser focus, this book is not for you. If you're looking for a road map and guide, this is as good as it gets.

I find the value of what she is offering immeasurable. It's delivered without a trace of fluff, speculation or uncertainty. I hope no one considering this book will be dissuaded by the reviews complaining of a strict, harsh or scolding tone. Simply bear in mind, when there is a finger pointing at the moon, there will always be some number of people who will look at the finger and fail to notice the moon entirely. These readers were simply looking for something else, something entertaining and pleasant perhaps. May they find what will suit their needs.

She's not scolding; the word is discipline, discipline with single minded purpose, something we all should aspire to on the path. And bear in mind the culture from which it arises. The woman gave up her previous life and went to the forest to find truth. I don't see her being the least bit harsh either, and she uses the word 'stupid' in an effort, of course, to instruct and motivate. She's appropriately disparaging toward tendencies of the mind, not toward people.

If you are on the path and have a hunger for truth and bare, essential pointing, this book is for you. I know of nothing else like it. If you, like I, have had your fill of superficiality and teachings not particularly helpful to your awakening, I highly recommend Upasika Kee Nanayon. If you find her to be up your alley, also see Ajahn Chah and Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche.
7 people found this helpful
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Jeff
5.0 out of 5 stars wisdom from an experienced practitioner
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2022
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Words of wisdom from an experienced practitioner that all practitioners would do well to learn, practice and consider and heed.
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Donna
4.0 out of 5 stars Pure and Simple is Clear and Deep
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2014
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Clear and simply written. Very good! It is a book that one can return to over and over again - like a good text.
4 people found this helpful
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ADM
5.0 out of 5 stars Really good
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2021
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This is such a good book that goes right to the heart of wisdom. No nonsense, excellent.
One person found this helpful
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Valuehunter
5.0 out of 5 stars incredible life-changing book
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2018
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Definitely one of the best books I've ever read. Not for the faint of heart. the tone is very strict and harsh. But I would highly recommend it to anyone who desires a very deep understanding of the meditative process
9 people found this helpful
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Nomi Redding
3.0 out of 5 stars Useful Teachings, Slow Read
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2017
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I am making my way through this book because there are some valuable teachings here, but it could have used tighter editing. The repetitive nature of talks given within a community does not lend itself well to the written word.
5 people found this helpful
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MaddieMay
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful for making leaps in meditation practice
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2014
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I am consuming this book in bits and bites, meditating on the teachings, so I can comment on the whole book yet, but this is the first book I've read in an age that I'm not tearing through or tossing aside, because I can't. These talks are deep, rigorous, lovely, difficult, and life changing.
10 people found this helpful
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Ken
5.0 out of 5 stars the best I have read in her tradition
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2014
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Just superb in its teaching of meditation and mindfulness, the best I have read in her tradition. The extreme effectiveness of her approach is incredible. She is fun to read and pithy as hell. Just a great teacher. Life changing.
10 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Osaka
5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely useful and direct meditation instruction and wisdom.
Reviewed in Canada on March 17, 2017
Verified Purchase
Upasika Kee was one of the greatest Thai meditation masters of the 20th century. She was a lay autoditact who left the little shop she was working in to settle in a forest, eager to dedicate her life to dhamma. Before long, her little settlement grew into a full grown meditation center, with very strict discipline and training. Her teachings are very direct and to-the-point, and she doesn't compromise one bit when expounding pure dhamma. The book is largely comprised of the talks and instructions she gave to the practitionners coming to the center, and her teachings on anatta are extremely useful and profound. Very inspiring, highly recommended.
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MBJ
5.0 out of 5 stars Clear,concise, accessible and highly engaging
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 16, 2017
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I am not scholarly and so the complex theoretical concepts explained in some books on Buddhism seem heavy and labour intensive. Whereas this book is light on theory and guides the reader through practical application of the key tenets of Buddhist psychology unburdened of the need to understand them conceptually.
The book is well written and carefully crafted with such passion as to make it seem possible to overcome mental suffering in this lifetime. The teachings feel alive and personal because it comes from the authors direct experience as a lay practitioner. And like all good teachers she often repeats the basic learning points and guidance. But her words are delivered with such simple clarity and imbued with a bold and, at times, fierce compassion any repetition is made worthy.
I will definitely read this book again and would highly recommend it to readers who have both a general interest and for students of Buddhist psychology/philosophy.
3 people found this helpful
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alfred quinn
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Australia on November 29, 2014
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excellent reading
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Ainsley Bastiaensz
5.0 out of 5 stars Really extraordinary teaching of a lay person. May be ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2017
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Really extraordinary teaching of a lay person. May be we all cannot follow her teaching, but reading her book shows us a different perspective to life.
One person found this helpful
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