"Originally published under the title, The manuals of Buddhism, in 1965 by the Union Buddha Saasana Council, Yangon, Myanmar"--Title page verso.

The Venerable Mahathera Ledi Sayadaw wrote this manual in reply to a layperson requesting guidance in developing insight, clarification of doctrinal aspects, and how to advance from being a blind worldling to a wise and virtuous person, i.e. one who has the eye of knowledge. In clear, concise, vivid language the author explains the perfections, seven aspects of the five aggregates to be perceived, the true peace of Nibbana, how to be mindful while doing a meritorious deed, practicing the three refuges, the four types of Buddhists, and understanding the Four Noble Truths and Dependent Origination. Finally, an exhortation regarding great opportunities: human rebirth, meeting the Buddha, becoming a bhikkhu, having confidence, and hearing the Dhamma.

In this treatise, noted Burmese scholar and monk Ledi Sayadaw explains the bodhipakkiya dhamma: the 37 requisites of enlightenment. The requisites are comprised of the four foundations of mindfulness, four right efforts, four bases of success, five controlling faculties, five mental powers, seven factors of enlightenment, and the eight factors of the Noble Eightfold Path. This book is valuable to those interested in understanding the Buddha’s teaching at a deeper level, while providing the inspiration to continue walking step by step on the path.

Wisdom Wide and Deep is a comprehensive guide to an in-depth training that emphasizes the application of concentrated attention (jhana) to profound and liberating insight (vipassana). With calm, tranquility, and composure established through a practical experience of jhana meditators are able to halt the seemingly endless battle against hindrances, eliminate distraction, and facilitate a penetrative insight into the subtle nature of matter and mind. It was for this reason the Buddha frequently exhorted his students, Wisdom Wide and Deep follows and amplifies the teachings in Shaila Catherine's acclaimed first book, Focused and Fearless: A Meditator's Guide to States of Deep Joy, Calm, and Clarity. Readers will learn to develop this profound stability, sustain an in-depth examination of the nuances of mind and matter, and ultimately unravel deeply conditioned patterns that perpetuate suffering. This fully detailed manual for the mind sure to become a trusted companion to many inner explorers.

Knowing that reliable information on the practice of insight meditation was much needed by practitioners in the West, the renowned Burmese master Ledi Sayadaw wrote the The Manual of Insight. He covers many topics, such as the distortions of perceptions, the Noble Truths, the higher knowledges, Nibbana, and others, fully expounded and furnished with brief descriptions, some of which are drawn from the Pali texts, while others are the product of Ledi Sayadaw's own teachings. The second manual, The Noble Eightfold Path and Its Factors Explained, was written by the Ven. Ledi Sayadaw in Burmese and later translated into English by U Saw Tun Teik. It contains all the path-factors clearly explained by the venerable author who, as a senior member of the Sangha (Order) in Burma, was both deeply learned and well-practiced in meditation.