Buddhist Meditation Techniques

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Buddhist Meditation Techniques The meaning of meditation Meditation is the only way to get rid of all sufferings and to gain enlightenment. Our Shakyamuni Buddha, the enlightened one discovered meditation about 2545 years ago. He taught to all the virtues of purity, great compassion and wisdom for the welfare, happiness, peace and eradication of sufferings (Nirvana) of all. Meditation in Buddha’s language is called Bhavana meaning mindfulness, cultivation of mind or development of mind. Meditation is universal and everyone can practice it. Our Shakyamuni Buddha divided meditation into two categories : Samatha Bhavana (Concentration Meditation) aims at gaining concentration or one-pointedness of mind Vipassana Bhavana (Insight Meditation) aims at purification of mind and gaining an insight into the real nature of all phenomena of impermanence, suffering and non-self. Basic code of a Meditation practitioner A meditation practitioner is required to keep the following code of morality to develop meditation. The five codes are as follows: To abstain from killing living beings. Love all living beings as one loves oneself. To abstain from stealing; or not taking what is not given. To abstain from committing adultery. To be honest to one’s wife or husband. To abstain from false, harsh speech. To abstain from taking any kind of intoxicant (including smoking) How one can practice Meditation Meditation can be practiced anytime, anywhere. Meditation is to be mindful of our actions of mind and body and to control and train our mind and body; to get peace inside. Meditation is neither magic nor a blind faith but it is very practical. Nobody can realize it without practicing it himself. We can practice meditation in our actions such as standing, walking, sitting, lying, eating, drinking, taking a bath, dressing, bending, stretching, urinating, reading and writing, etc. To intensify our mindfulness of bodily and mental actions, we should always be mindful and careful of our actions. We should observe every movement of bodily parts and thought of mind. We should know and

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be mindful when we are standing, walking, sitting or lying down, etc. If our body and mind is very active, try to slow down all actions and try to be mindful. It is advisable for beginners to approach a meditation teacher to get instruction on Meditation before going to practice. Below are some instructions on meditation. Walking and standing Meditation Find a path or place with about 10 metres of walking space. Put both hands across your abdomen or behind your back Relax your body in standing posture and be aware of your standing position. Do not bend your neck and do not look more than 1 or 2 metres ahead. Try to be mindful of your stance without thinking of anything for a while. Now move your right leg forward with mindfulness then move your left leg forward and walk slowly with mindfulness to the end of your meditation space, turn round and return. Beware of the movement of your legs - how you lift them up and put them down. You can note mentally the word “BUD ﾁ Ewhen lifting each leg and “DHO ﾁ Ewhen putting it down. Practice for an hour and then sit down. Sitting Meditation Find a quiet place without any disturbances Bow down to the triple-Gem: the Buddha (the enlightened one), Dharma (the truth) and Sangha (the monastic order) (Bow down to Triple-Gem to show our respect and gratitude to the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha for teaching us the truth and to be inspired to practice and follow the truth) Radiate loving kindness to yourself as well as to all beings saying, “May I be well, happy, peaceful and free from all sufferings and may all beings be well, happy, peaceful and free from all sufferings.ﾁ E Sit cross-legged with the right leg placed over the left leg (Or you can sit on the chair or platform keeping your legs straight) Place right hand over left leg Keep your back upright. Never slump forward or backwards. Adjust your sitting posture - sitting posture should be comfortable and relaxed. Be aware of you sitting posture - how you are sitting now. Close your eyes gently or keep them half open and look at something Relax your whole body - from the top of the head to the toes. Take a few deep breaths and breath out slowly Breath in Relax and breath out relax. Try to feel your breathing without

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thinking of anything. Now, breath in and out normally and bring your awareness to the nostrils or anywhere from the nose to the abdomen where you can feel the air you are breathing strongly. Be aware of the air you breath, be mindful of it, and be focused on it Do not force this mindfulness. Just breath in and out normally with mindfulness and relax. To strengthen our mindfulness, we can note the word ﾁ EBuddho ﾁ Ementally. Note “BUD ﾁ Ewhen breathing in and “DHO ﾁ Ewhen breathing out. “Bud-dho ﾁ Emeans to be awakened or to be enlightened. Do not get stuck in your thoughts, imaginations or plans. Try to forget your past and future. If thoughts arise in your mind just look at them and let them go. Do not worry about them. Try to remove them from your mind and feel yourself free from everything - your position, responsibility and duties. Try to be mindful at the present feeling only. Only “Right Now ﾁ E Whatever happens during meditation try not to get stuck in your thoughts - try to let them go. Remember the past is gone and the future has not yet come. Try to be one with your breathing or present moment. Be always mindful of the present moment and keep doing it for a while. After doing this for a while (about an hour), take a few deep breaths and breath in and out slowly. Relax your mind and body. Absorb loving-kindness and peace from the Great compassionate Buddha; and accept the beauty of nature into your mind and relax. Put both hands together in front of your chest and radiate lovingkindness to yourself as well as to all beings saying “May I be well, happy, peaceful and free from all sufferings and may all beings be well, happy, peaceful and free from all sufferings.ﾁ E Open your eyes and relax. Bow down to the Triple-gem. Lying down Meditation Try to be mindful of your bodily action - how you are moving your body to your bed. Close your eyes Radiate loving-kindness to yourself and to all beings Relax your whole body and be mindful of your breathing Feel yourself free from all thoughts, worries and fall into sleep peacefully. Be mindful of everything. Mindfulness brings a clean, clear and calm mind

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The seven benefits of Meditation A meditation practitioner get benefits from practice as follows: Purification from all kinds of defilements. Overcoming sorrow and worry. Overcoming lamentation. Cessation of all kinds of physical sufferings. Cessation of all kinds of mental sufferings. Attainment of enlightenment (Path and fruition) Attainment of Nirvana - extinction of all suffering and defilements. The five hindrances to Meditation One cannot practice meditation, if one has following hindrances : Sensual desire (Kamachanda) Anger (Vyapada) Sloth and torpor (Thina-middha) Restlessness and remorse (Uddacca-kukkucca) Doubts (Vicikicca) How to overcome five hindrances Sensual desire can be overcome By mindfulness of the danger of sensual desire as well as the benefits of a peaceful mind. By reflection on the loathsomeness of the body. By sense control. By moderation in taking food By association with the wise. By profitable discussion of mindfulness and calmness of mind Anger can be overcome By mindfulness - think of the disadvantage of being angry By reflection on the advantage of forgiveness By thinking everything positively By meditating on loving - kindness and compassion By discussing unconditional loving-kindness Sloth and torpor can be overcome By being mindful of everything By being moderate in taking food By changing ones posture

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By contemplating on the light By refreshing the body in the open air By association with the wise By discussing profitable matters. Restlessness can be overcome By being mindful By contemplation of a peaceful state of mind By always maintaining a cheerful and positive attitude of mind By association with the wise By discussing peace and calmness of mind Doubt can be overcome By being always mindful By having knowledge and understanding of the four noble truths suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering and the way leading to the cessation of suffering By doing good deeds By discussing the natural law of the dependent origination By association with good friends. Factors supportive of Meditation Practice A meditation practitioner should have the following supportive factors to develop meditation properly : Suitable abode (Abasa)- comfortable, clean and peaceful place; or Suitable resort (Gocara) - a place with good surroundings and neighbors. Suitable speech (Bhasa) - Always speak the truth with loving-kindness and avoid talk not supportive of peace and mindfulness of mind. Suitable person (Puggala)- experienced teacher, friends and supporters with loving-kindness. Suitable food (Bhojana) - food that has good flavor but does not help produce lustful desire; for example vegetarian food. Suitable climate (Utu) - neither too hot nor too cold with a beautiful natural environment. Suitable posture (Iripatha) - practice comfortably with no tension or over-exertion - standing, walking, sitting, sleeping postures. Five mental powers that lead to proper meditation without problems Faith (Saddha) in the Triple-Gem as well as in good deeds through right understanding. Effort (Viriya) in meditation practice and good deeds constantly.

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Mindfulness (Sati) of everything, every action constantly. Deep concentration (Samadhi) in practice. Wisdom (Panna) to understand everything correctly in its true nature (Impermanence, Non-self and Sufferings) without doubts.