Buddhist meditation

Buddhist meditation, meditation used in the practice of Buddhism, "includes any method of meditation that has Enlightenment as its ultimate aim"<SUP id=fn_1_back>1</SUP>. The closest word for meditation in the classical languages of Buddhism is bhavana or "mental development"<SUP id=fn_2_back>2</SUP>.

<TABLE class=toc id=toc summary=Contents><TBODY><TR><TD>Contents

• <LI class=toclevel-1>1 Methods of meditation <LI class=toclevel-1>2 See also <LI class=toclevel-1>3 References
• 4 External links

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Methods of meditation

There are many types and forms of meditation used in the various schools of Buddhism. Buddhaghosa enumerated 40 methods of meditation in the Theravadin Visuddhimagga; nowadays there are many more in the various schools. The various methods of meditation can be divided into samatha meditation (tranquility meditation) and vipassana meditation (insight meditation).
Well-known samatha type of meditations include anapanasati (mindfulness of breathing), mindfulness of bodily movement, mindfulness on bodily posture (sitting, walking, standing and lying down), and mettā bhāvanā (development of loving kindness). The vipassana meditations include contemplation on impermanence, the six element practice, and contemplation on conditionality. Samatha meditations usually precede and prepare for vipassana meditations. <SUP id=fn_1_back>1</SUP>
All forms of meditation can be used as an "antidote" to one of the five hindrances <SUP id=fn_1_back>1</SUP>:

<TABLE class=wikitable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 border=1><TBODY><TR><TH>Meditation type</TH><TH>Method</TH><TH>Counteracts</TH><TH>Develops</TH></TR><TR><TH rowSpan=4>Samatha
<SMALL>(tranquility meditations)</SMALL></TH><TD>ānāpana</TD><TD>distraction</TD><TD>concentration</TD></TR><TR><TD>mettā bhāvanā</TD><TD>hatred [and sentimental attachment]</TD><TD>loving-kindness</TD></TR><TR><TD>mudita bhāvanā</TD><TD>resentment, envy and vicarious enjoyment</TD><TD>sympathetic joy</TD></TR><TR><TD>upekkhā bhāvanā</TD><TD>fixed indifference and apathetic neutrality</TD><TD>equanimity</TD></TR><TR><TH rowSpan=3>Vipassana
<SMALL>(insight meditations)</SMALL></TH><TD>contemplation of impermanence</TD><TD>craving</TD><TD>inner peace, freedom</TD></TR><TR><TD>six element practice</TD><TD>conceit</TD><TD>clarity regarding nature of self</TD></TR><TR><TD>contemplation of conditionality</TD><TD>ignorance</TD><TD>wisdom, compassion</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

See also

Theravada Buddhist meditation practices:

• Vipassana
• Samatha
• Metta

Zen Buddhist meditation practices:

• Shikantaza
• Zazen
• Koan

Vajrayana Buddhist meditation practcices:

• Mandala
• Tonglen
• Tantra

Related Buddhist practices:

• Mindfulness
• Satipatthana

Traditional Buddhist texts on meditation:

• Anapanasati Sutta
• Satipatthana Sutta
• Visuddhimagga

Traditional preliminary practices to Buddhist meditation:

• prostrations
• refuge in the Triple Gem
• Five Precepts
• chanting

References

• <CITE id=fn_1>Note 1:</CITE> Kamalashila (1996), Meditation: The Buddhist Art of Tranquility and Insight, Birmingham: Windhorse Publications, ISBN 1-899579-05-2.

• <CITE id=fn_2>Note 2:</CITE> Epstein, Mark (1995), Thoughts Without a Thinker: Psychotherapy from a Buddhist Perspective, BasicBooks, ISBN 0-465-03931-6.

External links

• Meditation Forum by E-Sangha
• Buddhist Meditation
• Guided Meditations on the Lamrim

 

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