Download Bhāvana

• Bhāvana refers to the cultivation and development of
the individual. This can take a number of forms:
• citta-bhāvanā- development of the mind (D III. 219)
• kāya-bhāvanā- development of the body (D III. 219)
• mettā-bhāvanā- development of loving kindness (J
I.196)
• paññā-bhāvanā- development of wisdom (D III. 219)
• samādhi-bhāvanā- development of concentration.
(A I. 44)
• Bhāvana is one of the Three Bases of Merit as outlined
in the Puññakiriyavatthu Sutta (A IV 146) along with
generosity (dāna) and ethical conduct (sīla).
• Merit (puṇya/puñña) is an important concept within
Buddhist thought. It is what is accumulated through good
and wholesome deeds. The production of merit is
important as it can have positive effects on the lives of
individuals, generate desirable rebirths and also allow
one to access higher levels of spiritual attainment
For the laity acts of cultivation focus on devotional acts
as these cause religious states of mind. This covers:
• Worship (pūja) can take the form of prostrations,
circumambulation and the offering of flowers, lamps
or incense.
• Pilgrimage to holy sites such as Bodh Gaya, Sarnath
and Lumbini. Also one can visit any local stūpas and
relics.
• Creation of images of the Buddha.
• Listening to a sermon or Dharma talk.
A monk
chanting to
members of the
laity at a funeral
in Laos (2007).
Buddhists can
visit stūpas such
as the one
pictured which is
Swayambhunath
in Nepal.
• For the Saṅgha the practice of bhāvana can take several
forms:
• Devotional practices much like those of the laity including
pūja, pilgrimage and the creation of art and Buddha
images.
• The preservation of texts and scriptures can also fall
under this category.
• Mediation is perhaps the most recognised form of
cultivation employed by the Saṅgha.
Young nuns
studying in
Myanmar
(2009).
• Meditation can take the form of recollections
(anusmṛti/anussati) of the Buddha, Saṅgha and Dharma.
• Recollections can be seen as the basis of ‘calm’
(śamatha/samatha) meditation. This form of meditation stills
the mind, it is understood to be a vital tool in developing
concentration.
• Once one has calmed the mind then they can engage in
insight’ (vipaśyanā/vipassanā) meditation. This form of
meditation allows the individual to gain insight into the true
nature of reality.
• This list only covers some of the ways in which monks can
develop themselves. There are many other methods that can
be found in sources such as the Visuddhimagga.
This statue of a
corpse is used by
monks as a tool for
meditation as it
makes them reflect
on the nature of life
and reality
(Myanmar, 2009).