This collection brings together scholarly contributions relating to the research of Lance Cousins (1942-2015), an influential and prolific scholar of early Buddhism. Cousins' interests spanned several related fields from the study of Abhidhamma and early Buddhist schools to Pali literature and meditation traditions. As well as being a scholar, Cousins was a noted meditation teacher and founder of the Samantha Trust. The influence of Cousin's scholarship and teaching is felt strongly not only in the UK but in the worldwide Buddhist Studies community. The volume is introduced by Peter Harvey and the following chapters all speak to the core questions in the field such as the nature of the path, the role of meditation, the formation of early Buddhist schools, scriptures and teachings and the characteristics and contributions of P?li texts. The volume is of interest to students and scholars in Buddhist Studies, Religious Studies and Asian Studies as well as Buddhist practitioners.

Preface 1. Lance Cousins: An Obituary, Appreciation and Bibliography Peter Harvey Meditation and the Buddhist Path 2. The Four Jhanas and their Qualities in the Pali Tradition Peter Harvey 3. Paths of Monastic Practice from India to Sri Lanka: Responses to L.S. Cousins' Work on Scholars and Meditators Bradley S. Clough, University of Montana 4. 'I'm Not Getting Anywhere with my Meditation ...': Effort, Contentment and Goal-Directedness in the Process of Mind-Training Ajahn Amaro, Amaravati monastery, Hertfordshire Comparative Mysticism 5. John of the Cross, the Dark Night of the Soul, and the Jhanas and the Arupa States: A Critical Comparative Study Elizabeth J. Harris, University of Birmingham 6. Emptiness and Unknowing: An Essay in Comparative Mysticism Rupert Gethin, University of Bristol Interpreting Buddhist Teachings 7. Ambiguity and Ambivalence in Buddhist Treatment of the Dead Richard Gombrich, University of Oxford 8. The Alagaddupama Sutta as a Scriptural Source for Understanding the Distinctive Philosophical Standpoint of Early Buddhism P. D. Premasiri, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka 9. An Ekottarika-agama Discourse Without Parallels: From Perception of Impermanence to the Pure Land Analayo Bhikkhu, University of Hamburg Abhidhamma 10. Equal-headed (samasisin): An Abhidharma Innovation and Commentarial Developments Tse-Fu Kuan, Yuan Ze University, Taiwan 11. Calligraphic Magic: Abhidhamma Inscriptions from Sukhodaya Peter Skilling, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 12. The Relation of the Saccasankhepatika Called Saratthasalini to the Vinayavinicchayatika Called Vinayasaratthasandipani Petra Kieffer-Pulz, Akademie der Wissenschaften und Literatur Mainz Schools and Scriptures 13. The Formation of Canons in the Early Indian nikayas or Schools in the Light of the New Gandhari Manuscript Finds Mark Allon, University of Sydney 14. Theriya Networks and the Circulation of the Pali Canon in South Asia: The Vibhajjavadins Reconsidered Alexander Wynne, University of Oxford Literature 15. Yasodhara in Jatakas Sarah Shaw, University of Oxford 16. Jataka Stories and Paccekabuddhas in Early Buddhism Naomi Appleton