Expressions of spirituality
Meditation: In Buddhism the person meditating is not trying to get into a hypnotic state, contact angels or any other supernatural entity. In Buddhism meditation involves the body and the mind, this is important because they want to avoid 'duality', so their way of meditating must involve the body and the mind as a single entity. Buddhist meditation is a form of mental concentration that leads ultimately to enlightenment and spiritual freedom. Meditation occupies a central place in all forms of Buddhism. Meditating in a group at a retreat called a sesshin or in a meditation room or zendo, reminds a person that they are both part of a larger Buddhist community, and part of the larger community of beings of every species.
There are two main types of Buddhist meditation: vipassana (insight) and samatha (tranquility). The two are often combined or used one after the other.
Samatha:
The purpose of samatha is to still the mind and train it to concentrate. The object of concentration (kammatthana) is less important than the skill of concentration itself, and varies by individual and situation. One Pali texts lists 40 kammatthanas, which include, devices (like colour or light), repulsive things (like a corpse), recollections (such as sayings of the Buddha), virtues (like loving-kindness). The goal of samatha meditation is to progress through four stages (dhyanas):
There are two main types of Buddhist meditation: vipassana (insight) and samatha (tranquility). The two are often combined or used one after the other.
Samatha:
The purpose of samatha is to still the mind and train it to concentrate. The object of concentration (kammatthana) is less important than the skill of concentration itself, and varies by individual and situation. One Pali texts lists 40 kammatthanas, which include, devices (like colour or light), repulsive things (like a corpse), recollections (such as sayings of the Buddha), virtues (like loving-kindness). The goal of samatha meditation is to progress through four stages (dhyanas):
- Detachment from the external world and a consciousness of joy and tranquility;
- Concentration, with suppression of reasoning and investigation;
- The passing away of joy, but with the sense of tranquility remaining; and
- The passing away of tranquility also, bringing about a state of pure self-possession and equanimity.
Vipassana: Many of the skills learned in samatha meditation can be applied to vipassana meditation, however, the end goal is different. The purpose of vipassana (insight meditation) is the realisation of important truths, especially the truth of suffering. These doctrines are already known to a Buddhist, but in order to attain liberation, they must truly understand these important truths; knowledge of the doctrine alone is not enough.
Vipassana meditation produces the understanding through which liberation takes place, and therefore is considered superior to samatha meditation. It is the main form of mediation practiced in Theravada Buddhism. Vipassana mediation involves the idea of mindfulness, which is different to concentration. When concentrating, your entire focus is on the object of concentration, but to be mindful of something is to think about it and observe it carefully. It is not only to block out everything but breathing; it is to observe what the breathing is like and attempt to learn something about it. Gaining the skill of mindfulness is the first step of vipassana meditation. The most common methods prescribed to develop mindfulness are: walking mindfulness, sitting mindfulness, and mindfulness of daily activities.
Metta: The original name for metta meditation (loving kindness) is metta bhavana, which comes from the Pali language. Metta means ‘love’ (non-romantic), friendliness, or kindness, Bhavana means development or cultivation. Loving-Kindness Meditation is a meditation practice taught by Gautama Buddha over 2500 years ago to develop a mental habit of selfless and altruistic love. Loving-Kindness Meditation can be practiced by itself or after Anapana, Vipassana or walking meditations. This meditation is used to develop four qualities of love: Metta (Friendliness) Compassion (Caruna) Appreciative Joy (Mudita) Equanimity (Upekkha). In this meditation, meditators recite words or phrases to cultivate compassion towards themselves, the loved ones, friends, strangers, enemies and all sentient beings. The most commonest practice of meta mediation is in five stages.
1 In the first stage, you feel metta for yourself. You become aware of yourself, and focus on feelings of peace, calm, and tranquility. Then you let these grow in to feelings of strength and confidence, and then develop into love within your heart. Images like a golden light flooding your body, or a phrase such as ‘may I be well and happy’, can be used, they stimulate the feeling of metta for yourself.
2 In the second stage, you think of a good friend. Bring them to your mind, and think of their good qualities. Feel the connection with your friend and your liking of them, and encourage these feeling to grow by repeating ‘may they be well; may they be happy’ to yourself. Images can be used also such as a shining light from your heart into theirs.
3 Next think of someone you do not like or dislike; you have neutral feeling for them, you may not know them well. Now reflect on their humanity, and include them in your feelings of metta.
4 Now think of someone you dislike, like an enemy. Try not to get caught up in feelings of hatred, think of them in a positive way and send your metta to them as well.
5 In the last stage, think of all four people together (yourself, the friend, the neutral person, and the enemy). Now extend your feelings further to everyone around you, and to everyone in your neighborhood, town, country, and throughout the world. Have a sense of waves of loving-kindness spreading from your heart to everyone.
Vipassana meditation produces the understanding through which liberation takes place, and therefore is considered superior to samatha meditation. It is the main form of mediation practiced in Theravada Buddhism. Vipassana mediation involves the idea of mindfulness, which is different to concentration. When concentrating, your entire focus is on the object of concentration, but to be mindful of something is to think about it and observe it carefully. It is not only to block out everything but breathing; it is to observe what the breathing is like and attempt to learn something about it. Gaining the skill of mindfulness is the first step of vipassana meditation. The most common methods prescribed to develop mindfulness are: walking mindfulness, sitting mindfulness, and mindfulness of daily activities.
Metta: The original name for metta meditation (loving kindness) is metta bhavana, which comes from the Pali language. Metta means ‘love’ (non-romantic), friendliness, or kindness, Bhavana means development or cultivation. Loving-Kindness Meditation is a meditation practice taught by Gautama Buddha over 2500 years ago to develop a mental habit of selfless and altruistic love. Loving-Kindness Meditation can be practiced by itself or after Anapana, Vipassana or walking meditations. This meditation is used to develop four qualities of love: Metta (Friendliness) Compassion (Caruna) Appreciative Joy (Mudita) Equanimity (Upekkha). In this meditation, meditators recite words or phrases to cultivate compassion towards themselves, the loved ones, friends, strangers, enemies and all sentient beings. The most commonest practice of meta mediation is in five stages.
1 In the first stage, you feel metta for yourself. You become aware of yourself, and focus on feelings of peace, calm, and tranquility. Then you let these grow in to feelings of strength and confidence, and then develop into love within your heart. Images like a golden light flooding your body, or a phrase such as ‘may I be well and happy’, can be used, they stimulate the feeling of metta for yourself.
2 In the second stage, you think of a good friend. Bring them to your mind, and think of their good qualities. Feel the connection with your friend and your liking of them, and encourage these feeling to grow by repeating ‘may they be well; may they be happy’ to yourself. Images can be used also such as a shining light from your heart into theirs.
3 Next think of someone you do not like or dislike; you have neutral feeling for them, you may not know them well. Now reflect on their humanity, and include them in your feelings of metta.
4 Now think of someone you dislike, like an enemy. Try not to get caught up in feelings of hatred, think of them in a positive way and send your metta to them as well.
5 In the last stage, think of all four people together (yourself, the friend, the neutral person, and the enemy). Now extend your feelings further to everyone around you, and to everyone in your neighborhood, town, country, and throughout the world. Have a sense of waves of loving-kindness spreading from your heart to everyone.
Puja: is the name given to a variety of devotional and offering ceremonies practiced in all Buddhist traditions. Puja are expressions of honour, worship and devotional attention. Acts of puja include bowing, making offerings and chanting. These acts are normally performed at home either in the morning or evening, or even both, as well as during festivals. The earliest pujas, which are still practiced in Theravada Buddhism, consist of placing flowers, lights and incense in front of an image or symbol of the Buddha. The practice reinforces faith and devotion, which are positive emotions, and enhances ones dharma.
Thangka: (thankas) are Buddhist paintings on cotton or silk, depicting a Buddhist deity, scene, or mandala. They usually have elaborate compositions including many small figures, and there is a central deity. They tend to be symmetrical. They were usually used for meditation or for instruction for monastic students. Today they are also used as teaching tools; they can depict the life (lives) of the Buddha, historical events, influential lama, bodhisattvas, or retelling myths. They can also be used as a devotional image for a ceremony, and are often used as mediums, which one can offer prayers and offer requests. Thangkas often hang on the altars, or in the bedrooms or offices of monks and devotees. |
Rupas: In Buddhism rupas are material objects. The most common rupas in buddhism are buddhist statues. They would be used on the buddhist shrine, used as mediums where one can offer prayers.
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