A few questions

• Beautiful951

  17 Sep 10, 12:56

  I realise I may have asked these questions before, but I have gotten confused because of so many different views around the net.

  I would like to ask if to attain enlightment is practising insight meditation and to develop compassion.

  I would also like to know if insight is the same as awareness.

• Dawnfirstlight

  17 Sep 10, 15:49

  I am also interested to know how many types of meditation are there and what are they ? I meditate by concentrating on the movement of the breathing, what is this type of meditation called ?

• Weychin

  17 Sep 10, 16:07

  Originally posted by Beautiful951:

  I realise I may have asked these questions before, but I have gotten confused because of so many different views around the net.

  I would like to ask if to attain enlightment is practising insight meditation and to develop compassion.

  I would also like to know if insight is the same as awareness.

  BellaOnline's Buddhism Editor

  
  
  
  Types of Buddhist Meditation

  
  With single-mindedness
  The master quells his thoughts.
  He ends their wandering.
  Seated in the cave of the heart,
  He finds freedom.
  - Buddha in the Dhammapada (Shambhala Pocketbook Edition)
  
  Meditation is a key component of Buddhist practice, tied to the Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration components of the Buddha's Eightfold Path. Meditation is also essential for developing Right Understanding - a direct, rather than purely intellectual, knowledge of the Four Noble Truths.
  
  There are hundreds of different Buddhist meditation techniques, most of which are specific to a particular branch of Buddhism, or even a specific teacher. However, most of these techniques fall into one of three categories:
  
  Tranquility or Concentration Meditation (Samatha Bhavana) - In this form of meditation, you begin by concentrating on one object of focus, attempting to slow, and eventually quiet, your mind. The most common form of this meditation is focusing on your breath - the sensations associated with your breath moving in and out of your body. Many Buddhist schools use some form of breath meditation as beginning meditation practice, before teaching other forms. In some schools, breath meditation is the only form of meditation taught, and different levels of practice, or dhyanas, are described, progressing from the beginning stages of forced concentration up to a state of pure immersion in equanimity, as the mind stills and relaxes into pure being or awareness. Breath meditation is also often taught for stress management purposes, outside of a Buddhist context.
  
  There are dozens (if not hundreds) of other forms of concentration meditation taught in various Buddhist schools. In the fifth-century Theravadin text theVisuddhimagga, over 40 different objects of focus are described, and the text suggests which types are best for each individual based on certain personality traits. Tibetan Buddhist schools incorporate external objects of focus such as mandalas and mantras, some of which are described later in this article.
  
  Insight meditation (Vipassana Bhavana) - Sometimes called mindfulness meditation, these forms of meditation are not just about stilling the mind, but about observing it. Although instructions differ by school, the general idea is to note sensations, emotions and thoughts as they arise, but to let them pass through your mind without attaching to them. The goal is to experience direct knowledge of impermanence (anicca). Both moving and sitting forms of Insight meditation are taught.
  
  Lovingkindness meditation (Metta Bhavana) - Also sometimes called compassion meditation, these forms of meditation are sometimes classified as Concentration forms, because they initially involve focusing on sending feelings of compassion or love towards other people and beings. This is usually done in a progressive fashion, starting with directing these thoughts towards yourself, then towards family and friends, and eventually to all beings. This form of meditation is prevalent in Mahayana Buddhist traditions as part of Boddhisattva practice.
  
  Although most meditation forms can be categorized as one of these three, some techniques crossover, and many Buddhist schools teach more than one, or combine them. Some schools require that novices perform preliminary practices, and develop knowledge of fundamental Buddhist principles, prior to learning to meditate, while others do not. Buddhism is usually taught in a teacher-student relationship, so most Buddhist teaching centers have classes specifically on meditation. Although anyone can begin meditating on their own, especially with simple concentration forms such as breath meditation, as a student progresses a teacher�s guidance is often helpful in helping him or her sort through the various distraction that can arise.
  
  Since Zen and Tibetan Buddhism are so popular in the West, here are some forms of meditation common to them:
  
  Zazen - This is the Zen term for meditation, and zazen is central to Zen practice, because Zen emphasizes direct realization or satori. There are variations on how zazen is taught, but the two main forms are koan meditation, associated with Rinzai Zen schools, and 'whole-hearted sitting' orshikantaza, associated with Soto Zen schools. In koan meditation, a practitioner contemplates a seemingly non-sensical statement or story given to them by their teacher, in order to experience a level of awareness beyond rational or linear knowledge. Shikantaza practice is similar to Insight meditation, with a practitioner attempting to observe and settle into a level of awareness untouched by surface activity and categorizations. One unique mark of zazen in some schools of both branches of Zen is that the eyes are kept open during practice.
  
  Mantra Meditation - Mantras are sacred sounds and words repeated in a chant-like fashion. This form of meditation is common in Tibetan Buddhist schools, but other schools also incorporate it. A common Buddhist mantra is 'Om Mani Padme Hum', which cannot be literally translated, but is associated with the Buddha of Compassion, Chenrezig. Here's an article on more Buddhist mantras.
  
  Mandala or Yantra Meditation - Mandalas and yantras are both forms of religious art that employ sacred geometry to create representations of Buddhas and the states of realization they are associated with. By meditating on them through gentle gazing, a practitioner can merge with this awareness and directly experience these states him- or herself. Here's an article on Buddhist mandalas.
  
  Chakra Meditation - While chakra meditation is more commonly associated with Hindu-based kundalini yoga, some Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhistschools do have their own related chakra system, and utilize chakra meditation. The goal is to experience and merge with universal energies available through these chakras, transforming mind, body and spirit into a vessel of pure enlightenment. (See this article for more info on chakras in Tibetan Buddhism.) 
  
  Guru or Deity Meditation - Also most frequently found in Vajrayana Buddhist schools, guru or deity meditation involves initially visualizing a Buddha or teacher external to oneself, and then imagining oneself as that Buddha or teacher. Like mandala meditation, the purpose of this is to experience the enlightened mind of this teacher or being directly for oneself, through the highest state of meditative dyhana.
  
  For guidance on how to meditate yourself, check out BellaOnline's meditation site. Or if you already meditate, come share your practice in the forum.
  

• Weychin

  17 Sep 10, 16:10

  Originally posted by Dawnfirstlight:

  I am also interested to know how many types of meditation are there and what are they ? I meditate by concentrating on the movement of the breathing, what is this type of meditation called ?

  Anapanasati

  From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

  Ä€nÄ�pÄ�nasati (Pali; Sanskrit: Ä�nÄ�pÄ�nasmá¹›ti), meaning 'mindfulness of breathing' ("sati" means mindfulness; "Ä�nÄ�pÄ�na" refers to inhalation and exhalation), is a fundamental form ofmeditation originally taught by the Buddha. According to this teaching, classically presented in the Ä€nÄ�pÄ�nasati Sutta,^[1] practicing this form of meditation as a part of the Noble Eightfold Path leads to the removal of all defilements (kilesa) and finally to the attainment of nibbÄ�na (nirvana).

  Anapanasati can also be practised with other traditional meditation subjects including the four frames of reference^[2] and mettÄ� bhÄ�vanÄ�.^[3]

  Contents  [hide] 1 Buddhist origins 2 The practice 2.1 Traditional sources 2.2 Modern sources 2.3 Active breathing, passive breathing 2.4 Benefits 3 Stages of Ä€nÄ�pÄ�nasati 4 In the Indo-Tibetan tradition 5 Notes 6 See also 7 Sources 7.1 Primary sources 7.2 Secondary sources 8 Further reading 9 External links

  [edit]Buddhist origins

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  The Buddha's teaching in this matter was based on his own experience in using anapanasati as a part of the means of achieving enlightenment. The Buddha gave instructions to his family to concentrate on their breathing when he went to visit his father while he was dying.^[4]

  Anapanasati is a core meditation practice in Theravada, Zen, and Tibetan traditions of Buddhism, as well as a part of many modern mindfulness programs. In both ancient and modern times, anapanasati by itself is likely the most widely used Buddhist method for contemplating bodily phenomena.^[5]

  The Anapanasati Sutta specifically concerns mindfulness of inhalation and exhalation, as a part of paying attention to one's body in quietude, and recommends the practice of Ä�nÄ�pÄ�nasati meditation as a means of cultivating the seven factors of awakening: sati (mindfulness), dhamma vicaya (analysis), viriya(persistence), which leads to piti (rapture), then to passaddhi (serenity), which in turn leads to samadhi (concentration) and then to upekkhÄ� (equanimity). Finally, the Buddha taught that, with these factors developed in this progression, the practice of Ä�nÄ�pÄ�nasati would lead to release (Pali: nibbÄ�na; Sanskrit: nirvana) from suffering (dukkha).

  Traditionally, anapanasati has been used as a basis for developing meditative concentration (samadhi) until reaching the state and practice of full absorption(jhana). It is the same state reached by the Buddha during his quest for Enlightenment.^{[6][clarification needed]}

  [edit]The practice

  [edit]Traditional sources

  See also: Anapanasati Sutta

  A traditional method given by The Buddha in the Satipatthana Sutta is to go into the forest and sit beneath a tree and then to simply watch the breath, if the breath is long, to notice that the breath is long, if the breath is short, to notice that the breath is short.^[7][8]

  While inhaling and exhaling, the meditator practises:

  • training the mind to be sensitive to one or more of: the entire body, rapture, pleasure, the mind itself, and mental processes
  • training the mind to be focused on one or more of: inconstancy, dispassion, cessation, and relinquishment
  • steadying, satisfying, or releasing the mind.

  A popular non-canonical method used today, loosely based on the Visuddhimagga, follows four stages:

  1. counting each breath at the end of exhalation
  2. counting each breath at the beginning of inhalation
  3. focusing on the breath without counting
  4. focusing only on the spot where the breath enters and leaves the nostrils (i.e., the nostril and upper lip area).^[9]

  [edit]Modern sources

  First, for the practice to be successful, one should dedicate the practice, and set out the goal of the meditation session, as in all Buddhist practice sessions.^[10] One may decide to either practice Ä�nÄ�pÄ�nasati while seated or while walking, or to alternate seated and walking meditation.^[11] Then one generally concentrates on the breath going through one's nose, on the light pressure in the nostrils on the inhalation, turning the attention to the feeling of the breath's movement past the upper lip on the exhalation.^[11] Other times practitioners are advised to attend to the breath at the 

• Amitayus48

  17 Sep 10, 16:11

  Four main categories with 84,000 methods to achieve supreme compassion or awareness :

  For one gate of Buddha remembrance or 'Nien-fo' [����], there are four types:

  1. Buddha Recitation [���W����] -- It is regarded as the most essential practice for being born in the Pure Land. According to Amitabha Sutra, " If people are mindful of Buddha at death, they are sure to be born in the Pure Land"
  2. Contemplation of the Buddha's image [�[�۩���] -- It is the way of thinking of the Buddha's image as if remembering and thinking to see one's mother earnestly. This is the practice of Mahasthama Bodhisattva stipulated in the Surangama Sutra.
  3. Contemplation of the forms in the Sukhavati [�[�Q����] -- Buddha remembrance through contemplating the Sukhavti is explained in detail in the Contemplation Sutra. There are sixteen ways in contemplating: as detailed later in other section.
  4. Buddha remembrance by Real Mark (reality-aspect) [���۩���] -- Though there are different types of Buddha remembrance, they all arrive at the real mark.
• wisdomeye

  17 Sep 10, 17:01

  Originally posted by Beautiful951:

  I realise I may have asked these questions before, but I have gotten confused because of so many different views around the net.

  I would like to ask if to attain enlightment is practising insight meditation and to develop compassion.

  I would also like to know if insight is the same as awareness.

  
  Hi Beautiful951, not really addressing your questions... but sharing...

  I think you are confused because you are trying hard to judge which is the most accurate or best piece of information lying around on the internet just from a theoretical point of view.  Although it is good to survey and study and learn before one ventures into actual practice and decides one's path, but due to the fickle tendency of human mind, and the large amount of info available on the net, it is easier to be confused than to get some clarification.  Simply put, you don't know who/what to believe.

  In such situations, i suggest just forget the matter for a while.  Dharma has to be related to one's own life.  It is not something outside you.  You have to see what works for you. Not just what works for others.  Therefore, if you are trying very hard to decipher, weigh, judge what is the best option out there, it is more likely that you are departing further and further from what will really benefit you.

  i hope you will meet someone whom you have a karmic connection with and who can help you on the path to liberation.  Or at least guide you.  Be patient and relax...

   

• wisdomeye

  17 Sep 10, 17:15

  Originally posted by Dawnfirstlight:

  I am also interested to know how many types of meditation are there and what are they ? I meditate by concentrating on the movement of the breathing, what is this type of meditation called ?

  
  Hi Dawnfirstlight,

  There are generally speaking 2 types of meditation.  The first type is called Shamatha, Shine, Calm Abiding, Concentration... (a few names but same meaning), the main goal of such meditation is to first calm down the mind and make it flexible enough to be able to concentrate on any point that you choose without being distracted.

  The second type of meditation is called Insight, Vipassana, Mahamudra, Dzogchen meditation. There are various distinctions in the view of the meditation depending on which tradition you follow but generally their purpose is to get a intuitive or heart-felt realisation of the nature of your own mind, of the nature of interdependent arising / emptiness of all phenomenon. 

  In many instances, teachers will request one to start with the first type of meditation.  Because our mind is like a pool of dirty water that is constantly churning... you need to first let it calm down and let the dirt settle down (correspond to first type of meditation) so that you can see through to the bottom of the pool of water (correspond to second type of meditation).  If you have concentration and stability of mind, then you can combine that with insight meditation, your insight can have strength and be penetrating and thorough... not just short-lived, weak...

  So we have to combine both types of meditation. As for the details of how to combine and which order to practice and what objects to use in the meditation, best you find a teacher to guide you.  For instance, in the first type of meditation, often teacher can ask you to use breath as a object to concentrate on.  Objects can be of all types... sometimes no object also possible. Depends on the student's inclinations/capacities etc.  Very individualised sometimes. 

  You can read Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche's books on this topic. I think he make it quite clear.  One good title is "Present Fresh Wakefulness", if my memory don't fail me.

   

   

   

• sinweiy

  18 Sep 10, 20:31

  Originally posted by Beautiful951:

  I realise I may have asked these questions before, but I have gotten confused because of so many different views around the net.

  I would like to ask if to attain enlightment is practising insight meditation and to develop compassion.

  I would also like to know if insight(mediation) is the same as awareness.

  yea, as qouted

  Insight meditation (Vipassana Bhavana) - Sometimes called mindfulness(awareness) meditation, these forms of meditation are not just about stilling the mind, but about observing it. Although instructions differ by school, the general idea is to note sensations, emotions and thoughts as they arise, but to let them pass through your mind without attaching to them. The goal is to experience direct knowledge of impermanence (anicca). Both moving and sitting forms of Insight meditation are taught.

  just noted that 一切法得�于� of all the method, success/enlightenment is through patient/endurance.

  /\

• gliang

  18 Sep 10, 23:34

  .

• -StarDust-

  19 Sep 10, 11:47

  Yoga is considered as wad type of meditation to the buddhsit?

  Tranquility meditation?

• sinweiy

  19 Sep 10, 15:21

  i think Yoga is more like chakra meditation and guru or deity meditation of the Tibetan Buddhism. however, not to mistaken with hindu yoga.

   

  The practice of Yoga is intimately connected to the religious beliefs and practices of both Buddhism and Hinduism.^[42] However there are distinct variations in the usage of yoga terminology in the two religions. In Hinduism, the term "Yoga" commonly refers to the eight limbs of yoga as defined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, written some time after 100 BCE, and means "yoke", with the idea that one's individual atman, or soul, would yoke or bind with the monistic entity which underlies everything (brahman). In the Vajrayana Buddhism of Tibet, however, the term "Yoga" is simply used to refer to any type of spiritual practice; from the various types of tantra (like Kriyayoga or Charyayoga) to 'Deity yoga' and 'guru yoga'. In the early translation phase of the Sutrayana and Tantrayana from India, China and other regions to Tibet, along with the practice lineages of sadhana, codified in the Nyingmapa canon, the most subtle 'conveyance' (Sanskrit: yana) is Adi Yoga (Sanskrit). A contemporary scholar with a focus on Tibetan Buddhism, Robert Thurman writes that Patanjali was influenced by the success of the Buddhist monastic system to formulate his own matrix for the version of thought he considered orthodox.^[43]

  There is a range of common terminology and common descriptions of the meditative states that are seen as the foundation of meditation practice in both Hindu Yoga and Buddhism.aMany scholars have noted that the concepts of dhyana and sam�dhi - technical terms describing stages of meditative absorption - are common to meditative practices in both Hinduism and Buddhism. Most notable in this context is the relationship between the system of four Buddhist dhyana states (Pali: jhana) and the samprajnata samadhi states of Classical Yoga.^[44] Also, many (Tibetan) Vajrayana practices of the generation stage and completion stage work with the chakras, inner energy channels (nadis) and kundalini, called tummo in Tibetan.

  /\