Meditation

Question 1

What is meditation?

Answer 1

buddhists use meditation in order to train the mind, become peaceful, focussed and more aware, to still the mind in order to stop it rushing around and it is used to purify the mind of cravings, false views and hatreds.

Question 2

Meditation and The Noble Eightfold Path

Answer 2

Meditation involves one third of the noble eightfold path: Right effort, Right mindfulness and Right concentration, mediation is necessary for achieving nirvana and helps one develop wisdom which is necessary to know how to act morally

Question 3

Explain the Buddha and meditation

Answer 3

• The Buddha attained enlightenment as a result of meditation
• Buddha continued to meditate after achieving enlightenment
• The buddha died whilst in a state of deep meditation
• The most popular Buddha statue is shown in a state of deep meditation

Question 4

What types of meditation are there?

Answer 4

Samantha meditation
The brahma Viharas
Vipassana

Question 5

Explain Samatha meditation

Answer 5

• Samatha means ‘calm abiding’
• known as tranquility meditation
• starts with the cultivation of mindfulness
• awareness of oneself and the various states one is in
• mindful of body, feelings, mind and mental states
• become aware of the current state of the 5 skandhas
• leads to a calming state
• observation of some bodily processes like breathing or walking
• distracting thoughts and feelings are allowed to fade away
• objects can be use as focus, candle flower, picture or buddha statue

Question 6

Explain the Brahma Viharas

Answer 6

4 states:
Metta- friendliness/ loving kindness, the feeling of wishing well to all beings
Karuna- compassion, the sincere sorrow over sufferings of all beings
Mudita- Sympathetic joy, rejoicing at the happiness of others
Upekkha- the loving of all beings equally

Question 7

Explain Vipassana Meditation

Answer 7

a more intellectual process, insight meditation, involves analytical thinking and deep contemplation of the four noble truths, impermanence and no self

Question 8

What are the benefits of meditation?

Answer 8

• eliminates the 3 root poisons of craving, hatred and ignorance
• helps develop positive emotions
• the brahma viharas develop love, compassion, joy and equanimity
• the main sign of successful practice is an increase in compassion
• health benefits, help with mental health and lowers blood pressure

Question 9

Explain Laity and meditation

Answer 9

• Lay buddhists in traditional Theravada countries tend not to spend much time on meditating
• In the West it is often meditation which attracts people to buddhism and so they often set aside some time every day or week to meditate

Question 10

Explain Pure Land Buddhists

Answer 10

Most pure land buddhists do not meditate, they believe that if they chant Amitabha Buddha’s name before they die they will be reborn into the Pure Land from where it will be easier to achieve enlightenment