The first point is the outer condition the basis for practicing
shamatha and vipashyana. This is to have a proper place to meditate, a
place without obstacles. For example, in some places people are
prejudiced against meditators, which can create problems. The best
place for meditation is one that is blessed by great meditators of the
past. We also need certain inner conditions to meditate properly. The
first quality is to not be too attached to outer sense objects and not
so concerned about getting what we want. We simply should have few
desires.
The second quality is to be satisfied or content with the situation we
have. How to encourage these two qualities can be illustrated by how
parents talk to their children about meditation. If the parents are
good practitioners, they will encourage their children by saying, "Try
not to be too ambitious. Don't strive too much for outer things. Be
content and be satisfied with what you have. In this way you will be
able to practice meditation. Otherwise you'll be wasting your time."
Parents who do not practice meditation give the opposite advice: "You
should strive very hard and be very ambitious. You should try to become
very rich and get ahead. Acquire property and hold on to it. Otherwise
you'll be wasting your time." So we can see here how to encourage these
qualities properly.
The third quality is not to be involved in too many activities or
responsibilities. If we are too busy, then we will not be able to
practice meditation.
The fourth quality is to have good conduct. This means that we avoid
negative actions which bring harm to others. All Buddhist vows are
concerned with avoiding actions that produce negative karma. There are
different kinds of vows, those of a layperson, a novice monk, a fully
ordained monk, and a Bodhisattva. When lay people practice meditation,
it is good to have taken the five-layperson vows, which in Sanskrit are
called the upasaka vows. These are to avoid killing, stealing, lying,
harming others sexually, and drinking alcohol and taking drugs.
Since our main practice is the Bodhisattva path, it is important to
take the Bodhisattva Vow, which can be practiced as a layperson. Monks
and nuns also take the Bodhisattva Vow. Both lay and monastic
practitioners can combine the practice of a Bodhisattva with the
upasaka vows. For example, Marpa the translator was a lay Bodhisattva,
whereas the Indian master Nagarjuna was a monk Bodhisattva. Both were
enlightened.
Now we will discuss the requirements for practicing vipashyana. It is
essential to follow and rely on a proper teacher, someone who can
explain the teachings correctly. In the Theravada tradition a teacher
must be able to explain meditation on selflessness from his own
experience. In the Mahayana tradition a teacher must have an
understanding of emptiness--the Madhyamaka or Middle Way teachings-and
be able to explain it clearly.
The second quality for practicing vipashyana is to properly analyze the teachings we have received. If we have received Mahayana teachings on emptiness, then we should study different commentaries and receive instructions from our teacher on how to understand them. We then need to analyze and contemplate these teachings and instructions, which will greatly benefit our vipashyana practice.
The Bodhisattva Vow
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=50
Benefits of Meditation
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=67
View, meditation and conduct
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=54
Calm Abiding and Insight Meditation
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=53
Meditation of the Theravada and Mahayana Traditions
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=55
Four Ways of the Wise
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=49
Atisha Seven Points of Mind Training
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=65
Learning to see
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=52
Refuge in The Three Jewels
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=59
Ngondro, the Preliminary Practices
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=61
Enlightenment is within you
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=56
Qualities of A Guru
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=14
Seven points on meditation
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=68
Mastering the mind
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=62
Meditation on Love and Compassion
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=51
Points on Choosing A Buddhist Teacher
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=109
3 main approaches in Buddhism
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=58
Learning to see
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=52