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Page 1: Meditation Meditatation. Meditation in the Theravada Tradition  In the Theravada tradition meditation is the main method of transforming the mind from

MeditationMeditation

MeditatationMeditatation

Page 2: Meditation Meditatation. Meditation in the Theravada Tradition  In the Theravada tradition meditation is the main method of transforming the mind from

Meditation in the Theravada TraditionMeditation in the Theravada Tradition

In the Theravada tradition In the Theravada tradition meditation is the main method meditation is the main method of transforming the mind from of transforming the mind from confusion to clarityconfusion to clarity

The Buddha himself favoured The Buddha himself favoured mediation over other religious mediation over other religious practicespractices

The Buddha gained The Buddha gained enlightenment through the enlightenment through the practice of meditationpractice of meditation

Meditation was practiced in Meditation was practiced in India before the Buddha’s timeIndia before the Buddha’s time

He learned it from Shramana He learned it from Shramana teachers in the forestteachers in the forest

Page 3: Meditation Meditatation. Meditation in the Theravada Tradition  In the Theravada tradition meditation is the main method of transforming the mind from

Purpose of meditationPurpose of meditation To purify the mindTo purify the mind To put an end to sufferingTo put an end to suffering To put an end to the causes of sufferingTo put an end to the causes of suffering To lead people to enlightenmentTo lead people to enlightenment The Sanskrit word for meditation is The Sanskrit word for meditation is bhavana bhavana this means this means cultivationcultivation It involves freeing the mind from greed, hatred, anxiety, doubt, It involves freeing the mind from greed, hatred, anxiety, doubt,

laziness and ill willlaziness and ill will It involves cultivation of positive qualities such as concentration, It involves cultivation of positive qualities such as concentration,

awareness, intelligence, diligence, confidence, joy and tranquillityawareness, intelligence, diligence, confidence, joy and tranquillity The highest wisdom of compassion and peace are also attainedThe highest wisdom of compassion and peace are also attained

Page 4: Meditation Meditatation. Meditation in the Theravada Tradition  In the Theravada tradition meditation is the main method of transforming the mind from

Samatha MeditationSamatha Meditation

Samatha meditation is also known as the mindfulness of breathing or Samatha meditation is also known as the mindfulness of breathing or tranquillity meditationtranquillity meditation

It cultivates mindfulness which means awareness ourselves and our state of It cultivates mindfulness which means awareness ourselves and our state of mindmind

Mindfulness involves 4 forms: of body, feelings, sensations and mental Mindfulness involves 4 forms: of body, feelings, sensations and mental statesstates

Breathing is part of mindfulness of body meditationBreathing is part of mindfulness of body meditation The idea is to focus the mind on the breath and not to let it get distracted by The idea is to focus the mind on the breath and not to let it get distracted by

other thoughtsother thoughts Gradually thoughts slow down, we become less distracted and more Gradually thoughts slow down, we become less distracted and more

centredcentred The mind can be compared to a glass of muddy water; if we leave it the The mind can be compared to a glass of muddy water; if we leave it the

water will gradually become clearwater will gradually become clear Samatha is like this; the thoughts and emotions gradually settle and the Samatha is like this; the thoughts and emotions gradually settle and the

mind becomes clear and undisturbedmind becomes clear and undisturbed

Page 5: Meditation Meditatation. Meditation in the Theravada Tradition  In the Theravada tradition meditation is the main method of transforming the mind from

Vipassana MeditationVipassana Meditation

Insight meditation specific to BuddhismInsight meditation specific to Buddhism Samatha meditation is the basis for vipassanaSamatha meditation is the basis for vipassana Leads to wisdom and the realisation of the ultimate truth of nibbanaLeads to wisdom and the realisation of the ultimate truth of nibbana It uses our intelligence and powers of observation to bring us to a It uses our intelligence and powers of observation to bring us to a

deeper level of understandingdeeper level of understanding Focus’ on the Four Noble TruthsFocus’ on the Four Noble Truths Vipassana cultivates a type of understanding that is not based on Vipassana cultivates a type of understanding that is not based on

the senses or consciousness the senses or consciousness Meditators train their minds to see impermanence and non-inherent Meditators train their minds to see impermanence and non-inherent

existenceexistence The point of vipassana is that understanding of the dhamma does The point of vipassana is that understanding of the dhamma does

not remain theoretical but becomes personal and related to not remain theoretical but becomes personal and related to experienceexperience

Must be done in the presence of an experienced tutorMust be done in the presence of an experienced tutor

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Meditation in the Mahayana TraditionMeditation in the Mahayana Tradition

Meditation is just as important in the Mahayana traditionMeditation is just as important in the Mahayana tradition Meditation in Mahayana has two purposes: to reveal the qualities Meditation in Mahayana has two purposes: to reveal the qualities

within and to realise that enlightenment could be immediately or within and to realise that enlightenment could be immediately or graduallygradually

The main differences are:- tathagatagarbha, skilful means and the The main differences are:- tathagatagarbha, skilful means and the master-disciple relationshipmaster-disciple relationship

Every being has the potential for enlightenment within themEvery being has the potential for enlightenment within them Spiritual path is simply a way of re-discovering thisSpiritual path is simply a way of re-discovering this The purpose of meditation is to awaken our Buddha nature, whatever The purpose of meditation is to awaken our Buddha nature, whatever

method one uses is considered a valid skilful meansmethod one uses is considered a valid skilful means Variety of methods are used:-visualisations, mantras, koans (riddles) Variety of methods are used:-visualisations, mantras, koans (riddles)

and mondos (questions)and mondos (questions) Zen Buddhists use dramatic methods to shock dispel the ignorance Zen Buddhists use dramatic methods to shock dispel the ignorance

that clouds the mindthat clouds the mind

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Master-disciple relationshipMaster-disciple relationship

One to one relationship between master and studentOne to one relationship between master and student Teacher gives advice according to the needs of the Teacher gives advice according to the needs of the

individualindividual Teacher transmits understanding to the student Teacher transmits understanding to the student

wordlessly with the aid of various techniques that wordlessly with the aid of various techniques that communicate the ultimate truthcommunicate the ultimate truth

This special transmission of spiritual understanding lies This special transmission of spiritual understanding lies at the heart of Mahayanaat the heart of Mahayana

Ensures that the power and authenticity of Buddhist Ensures that the power and authenticity of Buddhist teaching is continues from one generation to the nextteaching is continues from one generation to the next

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Meditation in Pure Land BuddhismMeditation in Pure Land Buddhism

Based on devotion to Buddha Amitabha (Amida)Based on devotion to Buddha Amitabha (Amida) Pure land emphasises devotional and meditational practicesPure land emphasises devotional and meditational practices More accessible to ordinary people leading busy livesMore accessible to ordinary people leading busy lives Began in China in the 4Began in China in the 4thth and 5 and 5thth centuries centuries Practice involves reciting the name of Amithaba Buddha (Practice involves reciting the name of Amithaba Buddha ( The nembutsu is nembutsu is “I bow to Amitabha Buddha” and is The nembutsu is nembutsu is “I bow to Amitabha Buddha” and is

recited over and over again throughout the dayrecited over and over again throughout the day It is a way of keeping his presence on one’s mind and continually It is a way of keeping his presence on one’s mind and continually

asking for his protection and helpasking for his protection and help Through this process one is said to come to embody the ultimate Through this process one is said to come to embody the ultimate

reality that is beyond wordsreality that is beyond words It does not have to be performed in a formal setting, it can be done It does not have to be performed in a formal setting, it can be done

at any time of the day even when workingat any time of the day even when working This makes it flexible and easily adapted to busy livesThis makes it flexible and easily adapted to busy lives

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MantrasMantras Mantras are sacred words of power and a form of meditationMantras are sacred words of power and a form of meditation Recited in SanskritRecited in Sanskrit They have a deeply transformative effect on the mind of the They have a deeply transformative effect on the mind of the

practitionerpractitioner Buddhas and bodhisattvas each have their own mantra Buddhas and bodhisattvas each have their own mantra Each mantra invokes the being one is praying to and causes the Each mantra invokes the being one is praying to and causes the

mind to tune into his or he powers and qualitiesmind to tune into his or he powers and qualities Buddhas and bodhisattvas are seen as a reflection of the qualities in Buddhas and bodhisattvas are seen as a reflection of the qualities in

one’s own mind so that ultimately the two become oneone’s own mind so that ultimately the two become one

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Advanced SamathaAdvanced Samatha Advanced samatha is said to Advanced samatha is said to

develop supernatural powersdevelop supernatural powers These include clairvoyance, These include clairvoyance,

clairaudience, knowing the clairaudience, knowing the thoughts of others and thoughts of others and remembering previous livesremembering previous lives

Monks are forbidden from Monks are forbidden from showing these powers or showing these powers or from talking about themfrom talking about them

These powers are not These powers are not important in attaining nibbanaimportant in attaining nibbana

Recent example is monk who Recent example is monk who set fire to himself as a protest set fire to himself as a protest against the Vietnam waragainst the Vietnam war

He did not move or make a He did not move or make a soundsound