Gil Fronsdal

Gil Fronsdal has practiced Zen and Insight Meditation since 1975 and has a PhD in Buddhist Studies from Stanford University. Gil was trained as a Vipassana teacher by Jack Kornfield and is part of the Vipassana teachers' collective at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. He was ordained as a Soto Zen priest at the San Francisco Zen Center, and in 1995 received Dharma Transmission from Mel Weitsman, the abbot of the Berkeley Zen Center. He has been the primary teacher for the Insight Meditation Center, in Redwood City, California and the Insight Retreat Center in Santa Cruz, California. He is a husband and father of two sons. He has also translated the Atthakavagga, verses containing some of the earliest teachings of Buddhism. It is published as The Buddha Before Buddhism: Wisdom from the Early Teachings.

Jack Kornfield

Jack Kornfield is one of the key teachers to have brought Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. He is the cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, and Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California. His books include After the Ecstasy, the Laundry; The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace; Meditation for Beginners; and The Wise Heart.

"The language is clear, precise, and inspiring, the phrasing spare and elegant, and the depth of these wisdom teachings apparent on every page. Highly recommended." —Joseph Goldstein, author of One Dharma

"I have read many translations in several languages, but never have I come across one so crisp, precise, and lucid as this." —Bhante Gunaratana, Bhāvanā Society

"A fine new translation of an ancient classic. Fronsdal’s balance of fidelity to the text and sensitivity to its spirit is perfect. A book to be treasured." —Carl Bielefeldt, Stanford University

"Fronsdal brings to bear his considerable experience both as a scholar and a practitioner. His intimacy with the text is obvious: the verses ring out clearly on the first read, communicating their meaning with precision and poetic sensitivity." —Tricycle