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Good question. I couldn’t find any publicly available direct quotes (i.e., verbatim passages) from Seeing the Bodies Within: Exploring the Samma Araham Practice of Theravada Buddhism by Potprecha Cholvijarn — likely because the book is very new (publishing Nov 2025). (shambhala.com)
However, I can give you bullet‑gist summaries (key ideas) based on available descriptions, plus some notable themes. If you like, I can try to locate preview excerpts or key passages (where copyright allows).
📘 Bullet‑Gist Key Ideas from Seeing the Bodies Within
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This book is an in-depth scholarly exploration of the Samma Araham meditation tradition, a distinctive system within Theravada Buddhism. (PenguinRandomhouse.com)
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It highlights how Samma Araham emphasizes visualization, the use of mantra, and the discovery of “spiritual bodies” or inner bodies within oneself. (shambhala.com)
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The practice was “discovered” (or revealed) in a vision by Luang Pho Sot Candasaro in 1916. (PenguinRandomhouse.com)
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The book weaves together:
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The life story of Candasaro,
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The historical context of Thai Buddhism in the early 20th century,
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And how this meditation system developed and spread. (shambhala.com)
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It draws on both canonical Buddhist texts (for example, the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta) and regional “boran kammatthana” practices (old/ancient meditation practices in Southeast Asia). (PenguinRandomhouse.com)
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There is a detailed mapping of a journey through 18 “inner bodies”; each body corresponds to different levels of Buddhist teaching. (shambhala.com)
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Through this mapping, the book reveals a “colorful, mystical side” of Theravada Buddhism that is often underappreciated in modern Western views (especially those that focus on mindfulness or insight meditation). (shambhala.com)
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The author, Potprecha Cholvijarn, has strong academic credentials: he earned a PhD in Buddhist Studies from the University of Bristol and teaches at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. (Bookshop.org)
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The book also argues that Samma Araham is not just a historical curiosity but a living tradition, thriving today in Thailand, and deserving of more recognition in global Buddhist discourse. (shambhala.com)
🔍 Related / Similar Books to Explore
If you're interested in this topic, you might also like:
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Seeing the Bodies Within — (the same book; just noting it in context)
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Selfless Persons: Imagery and Thought in Theravada Buddhism — explores imagery in Theravada thought
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Theravada Buddhism: Continuity, Diversity, and Identity — a broad overview of Theravada traditions
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Routledge Handbook of Theravāda Buddhism — a scholarly reference covering many aspects of Theravada
If you like, I can do a deep dive (based on limited preview / sample pages) and pull out 10+ powerful quotes (with context). Do you want me to do that?
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