14 - meditation

Do all Buddhists meditate?

Japanese Pure Land Buddhism is an important form of buddhism which does not practice meditation. - they are the minority as most buddhists do practice meditation

They believe that:

• meditation can reinforce one’s sense of self.

• One must realise their inability to reach enlightenment on their own

• One must instead rely on the merit of and grace of Amida (a Boddhisattva who vowed to bring all humans to enlightenment)

• The reliance on another power (not one’s self) ensures the full realisation of Anatta

Meditation is about seeing the true nature of things and developing mindfulness - it is not just about relieving stress

Merv Fowler describes the mind as “like some farmyard dog on a chain, which surges first this way then that without ever making any real progression”

Meditation gives us time to stop and take time to reflect on our motivations and intentions.

Why do Buddhists meditate?

• Buddhists would say that we live in delusion - we believe that things such as money, beauty or relationships can make us permanently happy.

• Therefore meditation releases us from this sate of delusion, helping us to life as it really is.