Buddhist spectrum

Meditation, the core of Buddhism

Premasara Epasinghe

Today, there is an ever-increasing interest in Meditation. There are many Meditation methods taught by spiritual traditions. The choosing the right process of practices, the right path, is personal investigation and an experience. Most of the techniques are derived from the Mahayana and Theravada Buddhist traditions. In Meditation, you can cultivate good-will very realistically. Meditation teaches patience and tolerance. Cultivate goodwill to others too. It’s known as ‘Metta’.

Mind or consciousness, is at the heart of Buddhist theory and practice. Mind changes from moment to moment. It is like an ever flowing stream. There are distractions all over the world. Sometimes, one can call the mind as a “Monkey Mind”. It can be disturbed by sound, vision, physical sensation like aches and pains, happy and unhappy memories relating to incidents, events or people.

Dhammapada which is considered as an invaluable treasure for Buddhists is an unparalleled religious text. Even in the first stanza or verse of Dhammapada, in the first chapter Yamaka Vagga – Twin Verses begins with – Manopubbangama Dhamma – Manosetta Manomaya – Manasa Ce Paduttena............’ (Verse)

All thoughts begin in mind. Mind is supreme and mind made are they..........

How your mind roams

Every second one is distracted. I visited my son in Australia, daughter in Scotland UK. My mind drifts far straying all over. Although, I am in a foreign soil, my mind roams to various places, my home etc.

Durangamam Ekacaram – Asariram Guhasayam

Ye Cittam Sannamessanti – Mokkhanti Marabandhana

(Verse 37 – Dhammapada)

Those who restrain their bodiless mind, which roams, drift afar alone, which resorts to a cave. They will be free from Mara’s bond, who do restrain the Mind.

Mind is not a physical thing that has thoughts and feelings. The mind is like an ocean. There are momentary mental events such as Happiness, Invitation, Fantasis and boredom to the waves that rise and fall. Waves can subside to reveal stillness of the sea, so too is it possible to calm the Turbulance of our mind. The only way to do this lies with in the mind.

I firmly believe through experience the key to the mind is meditation. It is an activity of mental consciousness. Meditation is not a simple matter of sitting in a particular posture or a breathing a particular way. It is a state of mind. To begin meditation as a novice in the Art of Meditation, begin your meditative state of mind in a sitting practice. When you master this form, can adopt free style, generate many mental states. Gradually, through practice, meditation becomes a way of life.

Negative and Positive Aspects of Meditation

One should realise that there are both Positive and Negative aspects of the Mind. Let us first analyse the Negative ones such as Jealousy, Anger, Desire, Pride. Through inferiority complex, some individuals think it is all their work. The people misunderstand the reality. Once your reality is achieved, one develop a positive and a realistic self-image.

I start my day in the morning at about 5.00 am by reciting Tunsutra, Dhammachakka, Dhajagga, Bhojjanga, Atavisi, Seevali, Jaya Piritha and then concentrate at least 10-15 minutes in meditation. At the start Meditation Practise I found it difficult. Later, gradually, I was successful to a certain extent in meditation. I presume a calm sea is something like a calm mind. If the sea is rough, it is like your mind in Turmoil.

The lessons you can learn from cricket

I played cricket for my school – Nalanda as wicket-keeper – opening batsman in the First XI 1957. I played in the Big Match against Ananda, wore the maroon & silver cap and blazer. Then I represented the university, club circuit, Education Department, Bank of Ceylon etc for nearly three decades. I faced many fast bowlers including Sonny Yatawara, one of the fastest in Sri Lanka. Fortunately, I was not hit by a bumper. The reason is the power of concentration.

I personally feel through meditation you can improve your concentration power. Fine examples are Mitra, Sunil and Sidat Wettimuni brothers. All three of them were stylist openers who opened for Sri Lanka, faced great fast bowlers of the world. Sidat lit up the ‘Epic centre of cricket – Lords’ with a brilliant 190 runs, the highest by a Sri Lankan. Against Pakistan, he earlier scored the first century for Sri Lanka. All these three players follow meditation. Probably, that must have helped them, to be successful cricketers. Once, Greg Chappel was failing as a batsman. The Great Psychologist Dr Rud Webster advised him to concentrate – meditate and in very next match he scored a century. He admitted, that earlier, he did not sight the ball, as his mind was roaming all over, lack of concentration.

There are number of Meditation Techniques. They can be categorize0000000 under two headings.

Stabilizing (2) Analytical

The single-pointed concentrate – aim to concentrate on one object – the breadth, nature of ones mind, a concept, visualized image belongs to the stabilizing meditation. This type of meditation is a challenge. It is not easy. Without proper concentration, one will not be successful in meditation.

An Analytical Meditation is an intensive study. The conceptual thought one reach in this category of meditation is more subtle. The stronger one’s concentration, the deeper you gain your insight.

Kindness and compassion originate from the same source of good will. They broaden the mind beyond the purely personal perspective. One must remember, compassion is the so vital and that it can be considered as the natural sensitivity of the heart.

To gain the benefits from meditation, it is necessary to practise. Regular practices will make you perfect. One must be committed, dedicated whole-heartedly for this exercise. Try to meditate regularly. For your meditation sessions, best place is a quiet room or corner. First set up your seat either a cushion on the floor, or a sofar or a straight back chair. It must be a neat, pleasing place for you.

Meditation practise is like an exercise to your mind and body. One of the most common, popular meditation practise is the Breathing Meditation – Anapanasathi Bhavana. Breadth provides Oxygen, through which mind functions. Bring your mind to one point. I wish to remind you about the famous The Waves at the Kanagawa – Japanese Artist Hoku Sai’s work, which depicts the rough sea. Most of the time our mind is also like a Turmoiled Rough Sea.

In the case of meditation, one must not expect quick results. The psychological changes come slowly. Through meditation, you achieve one’s own mind – Atta manasa. It is a happy mental outlook.

The thoughts of Greed, Delusion, Pride due to inferiority complex where a low-bred fellow for example low bred student will not respect his teachers. They belong to another’s mind – Anatta Manasa.

What Buddha taught His son novice Rahula

Meditation can be considered as the core of Buddhism. It stimulates the latent power of the mind, helps clear thinking, mental balance and tranquility. Siddhartha Gautama Buddha mentions six types of meditation, to young novice Rahula, Prince Siddhartha Gautama’s only son. Buddha advised monk Rahula to develop, meditation on loving kindness 1. Metta, compassion 2. Karuna, sympathetic joy, 3. Muditha, Equanimity 4. Upekkha, meditation of Repulsiveness 5. Asubha, perception of impermanence – Anicca Satina.

The Blessed One, advised the novice Rahula, to concentrate “on – in and out Breathing – Anapanasati.

Cures – Health Problems

Meditation relaxes nerves, controls blood pressure. There are many in foreign countries, especially in the United Kingdom, who practice breathing meditation. Anapanasati is a meditation exclusively for the Buddhists. The medical experts believe that it had a marvelous effect on both sides of the brain. This is scientifically proved by Electro-Encepholograph (EEG) readings that Anapanasati Meditation helps to cure heart patients. In fact in the USA and even in other European countries many practise Anapanasati Bhavana.

Your mind and body should be relaxed. Be comfortable throughout the sessions. Leave behind all your problems, worries and involvements. Breathing meditation will bring you solace.

Meditation in Buddhism is two-fold: Concentration – Samatha or Samadhi, one pointedness or unification of the mind called Cittekaggata, and insight – Vipassana. What is Samadhi a function of calming the mind. Meditation begins with concentration. Vipassana, is seen beyond ordinary, or clear vision. It means seeing everything in terms of three characteristics. They are the sighs of all phenomenal existence, impermanent, suffering plus egolessness – known as Anicca, Dukkha and Anatta.

One must remember, both tranquility and insight – Samadhi and Vipassana are a must for the Realization of Dhamma for the Enlightenment and to attain the Bliss of Nibbana.

I conclude this article, with a quotation from the fourteenth Venerable Dalai Lama quote:

“A good mind, a good heart and warm feelings are most important. Love, compassion and kindness are the most important things. They are truly precious. A good mind, a good heart and warm feelings are most important.

Gangodagama Sri Bodhirukkharama needs attention

This monastery is located close to Umangala Rajamaha Vihara within the proximity of 75 metres. The monastery could be reached on traveling for four kilometres on Hakmana-Beliatta road.

The monastery, initiated in 1990 with the donations of the villagers, houses shrine room, Buddha statue, sermon hall and alms hall. But things are quite difficult for the monastery’s chief nun Bhikkhuni Ariya Subhadra to maintain her Dhamma activities in the monastery, due to lack of facilities. The roof of the shrine room, built 15 years ago, is now slowly decaying. A heavy rain will cause floods inside the shrine room. The villagers are unable to attend to repairs, since they are not wealthy enough.

Even despite these difficulties, the monastery nuns could organize two all night pirith chanting functions. The reconstruction of the shrine is especially required when the lay patrons come to the monastery to observe sil on poya days.

Benefits of virtue

Thanissaro Bhikkhu
Better than a hundred years
lived without virtue, uncentered, is one day
lived by a virtuous person absorbed in jhana.

— Dhp 110

Virtue is a blessing into old age.

— Dhp 333

Now, there are these five gifts, five great gifts — original, long-standing, traditional, ancient, unadulterated, unadulterated from the beginning — that are not open to suspicion, will never be open to suspicion, and are unfaulted by knowledgeable contemplatives and brahmans. Which five?

There is the case where a disciple of the noble ones, abandoning the taking of life, abstains from taking life. In doing so, he gives freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from oppression to limitless numbers of beings. In giving freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from oppression to limitless numbers of beings, he gains a share in limitless freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, and freedom from oppression. This is the first gift, the first great gift — original, long-standing, traditional, ancient, unadulterated, unadulterated from the beginning — that is not open to suspicion, will never be open to suspicion, and is unfaulted by knowledgeable contemplatives and brahmans.

Furthermore, abandoning taking what is not given (stealing), the disciple of the noble ones abstains from taking what is not given. In doing so, he gives freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from oppression to limitless numbers of beings. In giving freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from oppression to limitless numbers of beings, he gains a share in limitless freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, and freedom from oppression. This is the second gift, the second great gift...

Furthermore, abandoning illicit sex, the disciple of the noble ones abstains from illicit sex. In doing so, he gives freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from oppression to limitless numbers of beings. In giving freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from oppression to limitless numbers of beings, he gains a share in limitless freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, and freedom from oppression. This is the third gift, the third great gift...

Furthermore, abandoning lying, the disciple of the noble ones abstains from lying. In doing so, he gives freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from oppression to limitless numbers of beings. In giving freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from oppression to limitless numbers of beings, he gains a share in limitless freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, and freedom from oppression. This is the fourth gift, the fourth great gift…

Pirith - therapeutic in every sense

Miran Perera

To all those who put the question has the Buddha any message that can be of use to the modern world, the Buddha stated that his teachings were timeless, that they were true, that they were effective for all people in all places. Buddha himself had personal qualities as a teacher, sage, as a guide, philosopher and friend of mankind.

When others sought protection and blessings from Sakyamuni Buddha he asked his personal attendant Ananda upon the request from the Royal family to chant the discourse on jewells or Ratana Sutta as Pirith by sprinkling water around the city of Visala.

The Pirith chant itself devoid of any sensual stimuli is intended to inspire in both the chanter and the audience total dispassion and detachment and concentration.

Pirith usually chanted in unison by an entire congregation of Buddhist monks in recto tone, ancient Pirith Buddhist chant creates an impressive atmosphere of serenity and even grandeur.

Doubt and confusion

The Buddha didn’t expect those who came to him for guidance to surrender to him and place unquestioning faith in everything. He said faith is critical to progress on the Buddhist path for it is the seed out of which all wholesome qualities grow the light that guides us through the darkness of doubt and confusion. Thera–Tehri Gatha is an integral part of the great Buddhist tradition. Even a cursory glance at the Thera-Theri Gatha will convince a reader that these Theras and Theris had been a group of people disciplined by a mainstream philosophy and culture whose utterances cannot be considered minor, in the usual sense of the term.

Thera – their Gatha come to us in verse form because they were passed on in the oral tradition as such. It is a feature in the Pali cannon that in certain places profound concepts of the Dhamma are explained with simple similes, emotive language, striking phrases and a narrative style mixed up with prose and poetry. The ancient Buddhist Pirith chant has been used for therapeutic purposes since the time of the Buddha. Among the many discourses Buddhist Pirith chant derives from three fundamental discourses.

The discourse on Blessings, the discourse on Jewels and the discourse on Universal good-will are the three key discourses. For Buddhist faith to germinate and send down healthy roots it has to be planted in nourishing soil and the proper soil for faith is not a mind that has been cowered in to belief by dogmatic demands, by fear of punishment and hopes of rewards in a blissful after life. Knowing the power of wholesome language Buddha admonished the monks to do the Pirith chanting with a compassionate mind and with pure awareness.

Following Buddhas advice even today the Buddhist monks perform the Pirith chanting out of great love and compassion with an undivided attention. It is the teaching of Sakyamuni Buddha that a human mind replete of love, compassion, altruistic joy and equilibrium (four divine virtues of Buddhist doctrine) can absolutely bring healings to others. Also a mind replete of greed, anger, hatred, jealousy, pride and self-centredness would certainty bring miseries to oneself and others alike. One may wonder as to why do Buddhists still listen to the Pirith discourses that have been taught about 2500 years ago by the Buddha. During many centuries ‘Gathas’ were probably added on to the original stock or underwent alteration.

Sitting posture

A selection and revision of Gathas were done at the third council in ‘Pataliputta’ and it is this version that has come down to us. In order to reap the healing from the ancient Buddhist therapeutic Pirith chant one must take a comfortable sitting posture having the back straight so as to have a balance between the mind and physicality. In order to avoid all unnecessary distractions the disconnection of mind from the external world is recommended.

It is imperative that the listeners to Pirith maintain the mind in the present moment to have an undivided attention. All must pay absolute attention to the melodious Pirith chant inhaling and exhailing mindfully by feeling wholesome vibrations of the Pirith chanting. What we want to find is a secure and solid base upon which we can establish Buddhist faith. We don’t want to begin with a demand for faith. The Buddha therefore says that we should begin with things that we can know for ourselves and take that as our starting point. When we know for ourselves what leads to our harm and suffering then we will know what we have to avoid. When we know for ourselves what leads to our well-being and happiness then we will know what we have to pursue and develop.