Aims, Methods, Importance of Meditations

Aims of Visualisation

• Imagine an object in their mind in as much detail as possible

Methods of Visualisation

• Practiced by Tibetan Buddhists

• Visualise a deity (someone who is fully enlightened)

• Focus on their appearance and nature

• Hope that by imagining themselves like that deity they will become like them.

• May use a thangka or mandala to symbolise different things like the Pure Land or Buddha

Popular Visualisations: Medicine Buddha, Avalokitshvara, Amitabha

Importance of Visualisations

• Aid understanding of Buddhist concepts/teachings
  Dhammapada: “All conditioned phenomena are impermeant”
  Using mandalas helps to understand the concept of anicca by brushing the sand away after completion

• Develop desirable character traits
  Visualising Bodhisattvas helps to grow in karuna (one of the 4 sublime states which Buddha said all Buddhists should have)

Aims of Samatha Meditation

• Leads to a more tranquil, settled and restful mind
  Enables deeper concentration

Methods of Samatha Meditation

• Mindfulness of breathing
  Close attention to the sensation of their breathing

• Use a variety of objects/kasinas
  Focus their attention to enable calming of the mind

Examples of Objects: Water, fire, red or yellow

Importance of Samatha Meditation

• Allows a Buddhist to let go of craving
  Dhammapada: “Those on the meditative path, will be released from Maras fetter”
  Practicing samatha —> overcome craving —> path to Nibbana

• Calms the mind
  Concentrating on one object frees themself from distraction and they can prepare for understanding the true nature of reality

Aims of Vipassana Meditation

• Insight meditation
  Allows them to penetrate and gain an insight to the nature of reality
  Aids understanding of how nature is characterised by the 3 marks of existence

Methods of Vipassana Meditation

• Everything can be explored rather than just one object
  May change focus from their body to the sound of rain etc
  Mostly performed sitting but sometimes whilst walking

• Popular method of meditation in Zen Buddhism
  Practice zazen
  Leads to a deeper understanding of the nature of existence

Importance of Vipassana Meditation

• Clarity and possible realisation
  Basho: “When your consciousness has become ripe… pure like clear water…realisation is possible”
  Practicing Vipassana meditation —> attaining the goal of Nibbana

• Allows accumulation of good merit, for positive karma
  Meditation is deemed an act of punna/merit
  Opportunity to gain positive karma for a fortunate rebirth

Samatha vs Vipassana: SAMATHA

• Many argue samatha is the easiest form of meditation
  Practice is then open to more people
  Methods and aims are simple, may be useful but dont require an extensive understanding
  Performed simply by focusing on water or white space

• Proven to have positive effects on mental health
  Foundations of many mindfulness programmes in schools, prisons and hospitals
  A way to overcome stress, depression and anxiety
  Useful for Buddhists and non Buddhists

• However some argue it may lead to development of Rattling Hypothesis
  Engaging in meditation for a long time without correct supervision or guidance leads to remembering trauma

• However, there are 2 other folds to follow besides meditation : ethics and wisdom

Samatha vs Vipassana: VIPASSANA

• Most Buddhists goal is to achieve Nibbana
  Isnt possible without understanding the true nature of reality - through overcoming craving and ignorance
  Buddha: “Nibbana… the cessation of suffering…the cessation of craving…the freedom from it”
  Samatha can only aid this process, Vipassana is the only way to gain this insight

• However, the methods of Vipassana are difficult to practice
  Need an understanding of key Buddhist doctrine to fully engage
  Without guidance, difficult to comprehend

Samatha vs Vipassana: BOTH

• Both are just as important as each other
  All meditation forms compliment and aid spiritual progress

• Buddha practiced both methods
  Just as important as each other

• Buddha taught the notion of skilful means
  Everyone is different
  Each individual must choose the method of meditation most suited to them
  Just as important as each other