20120407 sitting meditation satipatthana-eight precepts

Updated Mar 2010

加拿大佛教會湛山精舍　

禪修學佛入門 Introduction to

Buddhism and Meditation2012/04/07

Buddhist Association of CanadaCham Shan Temple

Updated Mar 2010

Buddhist Association of CanadaCham Shan Temple

ná mó fó tuó南無佛陀

Namo Buddha

ná mó dá mó 南無達摩

Namo Dharma

ná mó sēng qié南無僧伽

Namo Sangha

加拿大佛教會 © 2006 Buddhist Association of Canada

Buddhist Association of Canada

A Pragmatic Approach to Vipassana Meditation

Essentials of Insight Meditation Practice



The main aim is to purify the mind of all negative tendencies—such as greed, anger and delusion, through mind control. When all negative tendencies are removed, the mind will be clear and freed from suffering.

The actual aim is very exalted, as it aims at the complete eradication of suffering. This process does not only happen in or cover one existence, it spans over limitless existences.

The Main Aim of Buddhist Meditation



Insight meditation does not just involve holding the mind still. It also involves penetrative observation and absorption.

This kind of penetrative observation, without any thinking, without any conceptualization, allows the mind to realize the true nature of things as they really are, things like the nature of our mind and body processes, the nature of the person and the nature of the world.

Insight meditation



With the realization of the nature of existence: •The mind no longer has conflicts with the nature, •The mind becomes together with nature, and •The mind realizes the true nature of things.

•Consequently, the mind becomes purified and absence of delusion.

The Results from Insight meditation



In the process, the mind transcends everything—

1. It transcends conceptual reality, 2. It transcends conditioned reality and finally 3. It goes into absolute reality, which is the unchanging

state. 4. After much practice, it is the true nature that is

experienced by the mind.

Transcendence in Insight meditation



At the start of our practice, we have to recognize the natureof mindfulness, which we have to develop

over time during meditation.

The presence of mindfulness is what really makes the difference between true happiness and false happiness.

True happiness is when we really have peace of mind. False happiness is when greed and excitement overcome the mind—the mind is agitated.

The Nature of Mindfulness



1. The 1st factor is clarity of the mind. The mind is clear and pure—clear from all greed, anger, dullness, delusion and hallucination.

2. The 2nd factor is stability, calmness and peace. The mind is in the state of serenity, steadiness and non-violence even in an adverse condition.

3. The third factor is alertness of the mind. The mind becomes sensitive and alert at meditation object and all the conditions and cause/effect associated with it.

Three factors in mindfulness



1. To keep the mind in the present moment.2. To keep mindfulness clear, calm and in the present moment.3. To see what is happening to our meditation object.

In walking meditation, the object of the mindfulness is the walking process. In sitting meditation, the object is the “rising” and“falling” process of the abdomen; and in other daily activities, the object is to know what we are doing.

The Purpose of Meditation Practice



Kayanupassana Satipatthana 觀身不淨 (Mindfulness of Body)

Vedananupassana Satipatthana 觀受是苦 (Mindfulness of Feelings)

Cittanupassana Satipatthana 觀心無常 (Mindfulness of Mind)

Dhammanupassana Satipatthana 觀法無我 (Mindfulness of Phenomena)

Satipatthana Vipassana Meditationn 四念住



In the Buddhist tradition, Satipatthāna refers to the establishing, foundation or presence of "mindfulness“. The Buddha taught the establishing of mindfulness as the direct path to the realization of nirvana. Satipatthānā means the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, bases for maintaining moment-by-moment mindfulness and for developing mindfulness through meditation. In contemporary times the practice is most associated with Theravada Buddhism ( 上座部佛教 ). The method is also known as Vipassana meditation.

Satipatthana Vipassana Meditationn 四念住



Herein a monk dwells contemplating

The body in the bodyFeelings in the feelingsConsciousness in the consciousnessMind-objects in the mind-objects

ardent, clearly comprehending and mindfulhaving overcome covetousness and grief in the world.

What is a Foundation of Mindfulness?



Mindfulness is a mental state often described as “thoroughness,”“alertness” or “awareness.”

Mindfulness is actually a type of knowing and should be differentiatedfrom just knowing.

When one is mindful, there is, at that moment of mindfulness, no greed, anger, or delusion.

One who is mindful is in full control (of his mind) and is in a position to handle well any situation he is in.

What is Mindfulness?



In meditation, one must not just know an object; one must knowit mindfully.

Tolerating the pain and watching it mindfully.

One mistake is, trying too hard to be mindful. Allow time for the mindfulness to gradually and naturally develop.

Another common mistake is to put concentration overmindfulness.

Mindfulness in Meditation



To experience the truth directly one cannot speculate or have ideas about it.

It can be realized only through bare attention.

When one is mindful without thinking, it also means that one is not to think about the past or future.

Mindfulness can only dwell in the present occurrence of a phenomena.

“One should be mindful with bare attention on the presently occurring phenomena which appears to the mind as a specific characteristic.”

Experience the Truth



With increased mindfulness, one will get to see the relationships of true characteristics with one another. This will lead to direct experience of the three general characteristics of existence—Dukkha, Anicca, andAnatta (suffering, impermanence, and non-self). The end result is the elimination of defilements and therefore, suffering.

Experience the Truth



1. Abstain from destroying living beings.2. Abstain from taking things not given.3. Abstain from sensual misconduct.4. Abstain from false speech.5. Abstain from taking anything that causes

intoxication.6. Abstain from eating at improper times.7. Abstain from dancing, music, shows and

beautifying with cosmetics8. Abstain from use of high and large seats and

beds.

The Eight Precepts



1. The monastic lunch etiquette, e.g. sitting posture, observe silence throughout, even in moving the chairs, the singing of prayer before lunch, etc.

2. The 3 bowls arrangement and their usage, etiquette in asking for additional rice, dish & fruits etc.

3. The cleaning of bowls and after meal arrangement of bowls, etc.

4. The singing of closing prayer after meal, etc.5. The laity's eight precepts and the purpose & etc.

Monastic Lunch Etiquette



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Questions and Comments 討論



yuàn xiāo sān zhàng zhū fán năo

願消三障諸煩惱We wish to rid ourselves of the three hindrances and all klesas.

yuàn dé zhì huì zhēn míng lĭao

願得智慧真明了We wish to gain wisdom and real understanding.

pŭ yuàn zuì zhàng xī xiāo chú

普願罪障悉消除 We wish all sinful hindrances to be totally eradicated.

shì shì cháng xíng pú sà dào

世世常行菩薩道In one life after another we always follow Bodhisattvas’ paths.

回向Parinamana (Transfer of Merit)

20120407 sitting meditation satipatthana-eight precepts

Spiritual

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satipatthana vipassana meditationn

monastic lunch etiquette

vipassana meditation

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false happiness

main aim

updated mar 2010