HtUtM - Meditations (1)

Question 1

What’s the definition of meditation?

Answer 1

A mind that is single-pointedly focused on a virtuous object and whose function is to make the mind peaceful and calm.

Question 2

What’s the threefold division of meditation?

Answer 2

Meditation of a person of initial / middling / great scope

Question 3

What are the 5 meditations of a person of initial scope?

Answer 3

(Initial scope: Overcoming attachment to this life…)

1. Preciousness of human life
2. Death
3. Dangers of lower rebirth
4. Going for refuge
5. Karma

Question 4

Med on preciousness of human life: Purpose?

Answer 4

To encourage ourself to take the real meaning of our life and not to waste it. Human life is precious only if we use it to attain liberation by practicing Dharma.

e.g. blind turtle sutra (meeting Buddhadharma = entering into Buddhism by sincerely seeking refuge in 3 jewels)

Question 5

Med on preciousness of human life: Object?

Answer 5

Our determination to practice Dharma purely & sincerely.

Actual med: “There is no greater loss & no greater foolishness than to waste this opportunity in meaningless activities…”

Question 6

Med on death: Purpose

Answer 6

To prevent the laziness of attachment, the main obstacle to Dharma practice.

Question 7

Med on death: What does death mean?

Answer 7

The permanent separation of our body and mind.

vs temporary separation, such as those who’ve completed training in “transference of consciousness”, where mind goes to pure land while meditating.

Question 8

General (from part 1): What’s the nature & function of our mind?

Answer 8

The nature of the mind is empty like space, and its function is to perceive or understand objects.

Question 9

Med on death: Object?

Answer 9

Our thought “I may die today”.

Question 10

Med on danger of lower rebirth: Purpose?

Answer 10

To encourage us to prepare protection from the dangers of lower rebirth

Question 11

Med on danger of lower rebirth: Cause of taking lower rebirth?

Answer 11

Performing non-virtuous actions.

vs practicing virtue and seeking refuge in 3 jewels are the main causes of taking a human rebirth

Question 12

Med on danger of lower rebirth: Object?

Answer 12

Our feeling of fear of taking rebirth in the lower realms as an animal, hungry ghost, or hell being.

Actual med: our consciousness isn’t extinguished at death like a flame from a candle b/c it’s not produced by the body… at death, mind leaves the body like a bird leaving the nest and seeking another. Blown by the winds of our karma. Depends on the karma that ripens at death.

Question 13

Med on going for refuge: Purpose?

Answer 13

To protect ourself permanently from taking lower rebirth.

…by seeking refuge in 3 jewels
…this is how we enter Buddhism, by the practice of going for refuge

…like when our life is in danger we seek refuge in the police. Or when we’re ill we seek refuge in doctors.

…a method is to join group prayers (pujas) to receive Buddha’s blessings and protection.

Question 14

Med on going for refuge: Object?

Answer 14

Our determination and promise to seek refuge sincerely in 3 jewels throughout our life

Actual med: I want to protect myself permanently…. I can do this only by refuge…

Question 15

Med on karma: Purpose?

Answer 15

To prevent future suffering and to build the basic foundation for the path to liberation and enlightenment

Question 16

Med on karma: Meaning of karma?

Answer 16

Action. From non-virtuous actions comes suffering, and from virtuous actions comes happiness. If we believe this we believe in karma.

…Every action we perform leaves an imprint on our very subtle mind… and each imprint eventually gives rise to its own effect.
…Our mind is like a field, and our actions are sowing seeds in that field.

Question 17

Med on karma: Main cause of suffering?

Answer 17

Non-virtuous actions.

If we believe this then we will spend effort to purify our non-virtuous actions.

Question 18

Med on karma: How does karma work at death?

Answer 18

The seeds that ripen at death determine what kind of rebirth we will take in our next life.

If we die with a peaceful mind, this will stimulate a virtuous seed.

Question 19

Med on karma: Meaning of moral discipline?

Answer 19

When we abandon non-virtuous actions and apply effort to purifying our previous non-virtuous actions… then we are applying moral discipline.

Question 20

Med on karma: Object?

Answer 20

Our determination to abandon and to purify our non-virtuous actions, and to accumulate virtuous actions or merit.

…When a firm determination develops in our heart, we have found the object.