This book provides important contributions to understanding the teaching of awareness or mindfulness (Pali sati, Sanskrit smrti) in Buddhism and in related traditions, examined in original ways in a collection of articles that approach this theme from different perspectives: philosophical, philological, exegetic, anthropological, as an aspect of meditative practice, and so on. The volume is dedicated to Corrado Pensa, a well-known Buddhist scholar and practitioner who has had an important role in spreading Buddhist practice in Italy as well as internationally. The main part of this book is based on the scholarly output of his former students who engage in research on various topics concerning Buddhist awareness and other related topics, whereas the last section consists of essays by contemporary meditation teachers offered as tribute to Corrado Pensa through reflections on practical topics such as developing attention in ordinary life, mindful of breathing, and awareness as wisdom. A valuable feature of this book is thus the integration of two aspects of the Buddhist tradition, i.e., theory and practice, the volume thereby appealing to both academics and practitioners.

Teaching Awareness in the Buddhist Tradition: Essays in Honour of Professor Corrrado Pensa, Chiara Neri and Francesco Sferra (Editors), Equinox, Paperback,
212 pp, $32.00

Dr. Chiara Neri is Honorary Associate, University of Cagliari, Italy and Ho Family Foundation Research Fellow 2018-2019. Francesco Sferra is Professor of Sanskrit Language and Literature and Religions and Philosophies of India, Department of Asian, African and Mediterranean Studies, Univerista degli Studi di Napoli L'Orientale, Italy. Dr. Chiara Neri is Honorary Associate, University of Cagliari, Italy and Ho Family Foundation Research Fellow 2018-2019. Francesco Sferra is Professor of Sanskrit Language and Literature and Religions and Philosophies of India, Department of Asian, African and Mediterranean Studies, Univerista degli Studi di Napoli L'Orientale, Italy.
Francesco Sferra, student of Raniero Gnoli, Corrado Pensa and Raffaele Torella, has been teaching Sanskrit language and literature at "L�Orientale" University in Naples since 1998. In 2007 and 2011-2012 he was visiting professor (Numata-Professor fur Buddhismuskunde) at the Asia-Africa-Institute (Hamburg Universitat). He has been directing an international research project since 2006 aimed at a critical edition and the study of unpublished buddhist texts. Among his main publications, the english translation of Sadangayoga dal Anupamaraksita, commented by Ravisrijnana (Rome 2000), and the critical edition of the sanskrit Paramarthasamgraha by Naropa (Roma 2006). Translator from Sanskrit and pali for A. Mondadori Editore series "I Meridiani. Classici dello spirito" (Milano 2001, 2004) for which he edited a volume around ancient Hinduism (2010). He is a Vipassana practitioner, and A.Me.Co member since its foundation.