Meditation

Meditation  Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:  
• aims and methods and results of meditation, including samatha and vipassana meditation; 
• different methods of meditation including the  use of koans, zazen, nembutsu, visualisations and mandalas;  
• experiences of satori and jhanas. 


Aims and purposes of Meditation

• Meditation is used to transform the mind from a state of confusion to a state of peace
• The Buddha considered meditation to have special value
• It was through meditation that he gained enlightenment

• The purpose of meditation is to purify the mind
• Meditation has a spiritual purpose not a worldly one
• The original word is Bhavana meaning development
• Aims at freeing the mind from posion

• Buddhist meditation is not a way of escaping from life
• There are two types of meditation: Samatha and Vipassana
• Samatha existed before the Buddha practised it

Samatha Meditation

• Develops mental concentration and focus
• First steps to cultivating mindfulness
• Can use things such as breathing meditation or objects to help the mind focus
• Is used to reach much higher states of meditation

Vipassana Meditation

• 'Insight Meditation', aims to develop insight into the nature of things
• Uses intelligence and our powers of observation to bring us to a deeper level of understanding
• Basis is to analyse a topic for any length of time without getting distracted
• Generally, topics refer to the 4 noble truths but are not limited to this
• Vipassana cultivates understanding and trains the mind to see impermanence
• The point is that the Dharma becomes personal

Benefits of Meditation

• Eliminates the three poisons
• Samatha eliminates craving and aggression
• Vipassana eliminates ignorance

Different methods of meditation

Rinzai Zen uses Koans which are riddles. For example, the famous, What is the sound of one hand clapping. 

They also use Mondos which are nonsensical statements with answers, For example, What do you get when  a duck licks a happiness? Four. The idea of this is to understand that we impose concepts on reality.

They also believe in the use of Satori or wu (instand enlightenment)

Soto Zen  uses meditations such as Zazen which can be sitting a blank wall staring at the bricks.

It also has Kin Hin which is known as walking meditation where Buddhists aim to achieve a meditate state from walking.

Zen Buddhism uses the realisation of Shunyatta (emptiness) to aim for enlightenment.

Pureland Buddhism chants what is known as Nembutsu meanins 'I bow to Amida Buddha' in the belief that it will strengthen there trust in achieving the Pureland. There practises are based around paying respects to Amida

Tibetan Buddhism Uses mantras. For example, chanting Om Mani Padme Hum. They also use visualisations as a form of concentration such as a deity.