Download Meditation - Denny High School

Meditation
Meditatation
Meditation in the Theravada Tradition
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In the Theravada tradition
meditation is the main method
of transforming the mind from
confusion to clarity
The Buddha himself favoured
mediation over other religious
practices
The Buddha gained
enlightenment through the
practice of meditation
Meditation was practiced in
India before the Buddha’s time
He learned it from Shramana
teachers in the forest
Purpose of meditation
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To purify the mind
To put an end to suffering
To put an end to the causes of suffering
To lead people to enlightenment
The Sanskrit word for meditation is bhavana this means cultivation
It involves freeing the mind from greed, hatred, anxiety, doubt,
laziness and ill will
It involves cultivation of positive qualities such as concentration,
awareness, intelligence, diligence, confidence, joy and tranquillity
The highest wisdom of compassion and peace are also attained
Samatha Meditation
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Samatha meditation is also known as the mindfulness of breathing or
tranquillity meditation
It cultivates mindfulness which means awareness ourselves and our state of
mind
Mindfulness involves 4 forms: of body, feelings, sensations and mental
states
Breathing 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
other thoughts
Gradually thoughts slow down, we become less distracted and more
centred
The mind can be compared to a glass of muddy water; if we leave it the
water will gradually become clear
Samatha is like this; the thoughts and emotions gradually settle and the
mind becomes clear and undisturbed
Vipassana Meditation
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Insight meditation specific to Buddhism
Samatha meditation is the basis for vipassana
Leads to wisdom and the realisation of the ultimate truth of nibbana
It uses our intelligence and powers of observation to bring us to a
deeper level of understanding
Focus’ on the Four Noble Truths
Vipassana cultivates a type of understanding that is not based on
the senses or consciousness
Meditators train their minds to see impermanence and non-inherent
existence
The point of vipassana is that understanding of the dhamma does
not remain theoretical but becomes personal and related to
experience
Must be done in the presence of an experienced tutor
Meditation in the Mahayana Tradition
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Meditation is just as important in the Mahayana tradition
Meditation in Mahayana has two purposes: to reveal the qualities
within and to realise that enlightenment could be immediately or
gradually
The main differences are:- tathagatagarbha, skilful means and the
master-disciple relationship
Every being has the potential for enlightenment within them
Spiritual path is simply a way of re-discovering this
The purpose of meditation is to awaken our Buddha nature,
whatever method one uses is considered a valid skilful means
Variety of methods are used:-visualisations, mantras, koans (riddles)
and mondos (questions)
Zen Buddhists use dramatic methods to shock dispel the ignorance
that clouds the mind
Master-disciple relationship
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One to one relationship between master and student
Teacher gives advice according to the needs of the
individual
Teacher transmits understanding to the student
wordlessly with the aid of various techniques that
communicate the ultimate truth
This special transmission of spiritual understanding lies
at the heart of Mahayana
Ensures that the power and authenticity of Buddhist
teaching is continues from one generation to the next
Meditation in Pure Land Buddhism
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Based on devotion to Buddha Amitabha (Amida)
Pure land emphasises devotional and meditational practices
More accessible to ordinary people leading busy lives
Began in China in the 4th and 5th centuries
Practice involves reciting the name of Amithaba Buddha (
The nembutsu is nembutsu is “I bow to Amitabha Buddha” and is
recited over and over again throughout the day
It is a way of keeping his presence on one’s mind and continually
asking for his protection and help
Through this process one is said to come to embody the ultimate
reality that is beyond words
It does not have to be performed in a formal setting, it can be done
at any time of the day even when working
This makes it flexible and easily adapted to busy lives
Mantras
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Mantras are sacred words of power and a form of meditation
Recited in Sanskrit
They have a deeply transformative effect on the mind of the
practitioner
Buddhas and bodhisattvas each have their own mantra
Each mantra invokes the being one is praying to and causes the
mind to tune into his or he powers and qualities
Buddhas and bodhisattvas are seen as a reflection of the qualities in
one’s own mind so that ultimately the two become one
Advanced Samatha
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Advanced samatha is said to
develop supernatural powers
These include clairvoyance,
clairaudience, knowing the
thoughts of others and
remembering previous lives
Monks are forbidden from
showing these powers or
from talking about them
These powers are not
important in attaining nibbana
Recent example is monk who
set fire to himself as a protest
against the Vietnam war
He did not move or make a
sound