Meditation is a fundamental component of Buddhism. It is the core of Buddhist practice.
There are several traditions of Buddhism, each with several meditation techniques, but the ultimate goal of Buddhist meditation and teachings is to guide the practitioner to equanimity and inner peace in all aspects of their lives. Other benefits may include stress reduction, management of pain, and relaxation, but on a more fundamental level Buddhist teachings are intended to change the way in which a person seeks happiness, and where he looks for it.
There are three main goals to the many types of mediation practiced in Buddhism: insight, concentration, and insight and concentration combined. Concentration and insight are important in all of these meditation paths.
Insight meditation is sometimes taught as something separate from concentration meditation. In this view, insight is associated with mindfulness. Insight meditation is known as vipassana in Pali. In the practice of insight meditation, the current awareness of what is happening (mindfulness) is applied without a concerted effort to cultivate concentration, although it is expected that a degree of concentration will develop naturally as the practitioner maintains his attention on the experiences that come and go during the session. By paying attention to what is happening each moment, the practitioner's perception becomes clear and insight is achieved.
The practitioner of concentration meditation is concerned with attaining undistracted awareness, usually for the purpose of encouraging calmness and steadiness of mind, although a degree of insight is expected to develop naturally.
Where insight and concentration are brought together, both are given equal emphasis by the practitioner in order to develop deeper levels of each.
In Buddhism, meditation is used in pursuit of liberation, awakening, and Nirvana, a Buddhist term that refers to the ultimate state of living, in which there is no suffering, desire, or sense of self, in which the practitioner is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of death and reincarnation. Nirvana is the final goal in Buddhism.
Some meditation techniques are used throughout the various Buddhist traditions, but there is a great deal of diversity. Most of the classical and contemporary Buddhist meditation techniques are specific to a particular school or tradition, including those that are taught by individual teachers.
Forms of Buddhist meditation used by the Theravada school include Anapanasati, Satipatthana, Metta, Kammatthana, Samatha, Vipassana, Mahasati, and Dhammakaya.
Forms of meditation techniques used in Tibetan and Vajrayana Buddhism include Ngondro, Tonglen, Phowa, Chod, Mahamudra, Dzogchen, Tantra, and the Four Immeasurables.
Mahayana and Zen Buddhism teach Shikantaza, Zazen, Koan, and Suizen.
Depending on the tradition, movement, sect, or geographical location, other names may be used for many of these, and additional meditation techniques may be used by the various sects and sub-sects of Mahayana, Theravada, and Vajrayana Buddhism.
Whatever the name or origin, any topics relating to Buddhist meditation or Buddhist meditation techniques are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
Basics of Buddhist Meditation, The
Basics of Buddhist Meditation, The Provided by Dr. C. George Boeree, and hosted on the Shippensburg University website, the page describes concepts in Buddhist meditation, including a basic form of meditation involving being mindful of one's breathing. The Five Hindrances (sensual desire, ill will, laziness, restlessness, and doubt), known as Nivarana, are said to be the major obstacles to concentration. Links to various sutras on Buddhist meditation are provided, and resources are listed.
http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/meditation.html
Based in the United Kingdom, the meditation center offers classes through weekly and weekend sessions, as well as longer residential courses at its Samatha Centre in Wales. Rooted in the Buddhist Theravada tradition, its meditation techniques were introduced to England by a Thai meditation teacher in 1962. Its offerings and schedules are published to the site, and scheduled classes may be located through the site.
https://www.samatha.org/
Offering an online meditation course and other resources covering a variety of meditation and spiritual techniques for holistic living. Introductory courses include general Buddhist meditation techniques, Zen meditation techniques, mantra, yoga meditation, and others. The usage of meditation on the mind and for healing are discussed, along with personal mastery, informational articles, a blog, and an online shopping area.
https://meditateinadelaide.org/
Positive Psychology Program: The Power Triangle of Buddhism, Yoga and Mindfulness Meditation
With a focus on the psychological benefits or effects of meditation, particularly the aspects of mindfulness meditation, the site offers a free booklet in PDF format, as well as an overview of Buddhist teachings of mindfulness, and the four concepts that form the core of the Buddha’s teachings. Combining the meditation techniques of Buddhism, Yoga, and Positive Psychology are discussed, and the ideas presented are summarized.
https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/buddhism-meditation-mindfulness-yoga/
The World Wide Online Meditation Center
Featuring a collection of meditations from teachers in a variety of religious backgrounds. The categories of instruction include core meditations, relaxation and stress reduction, healing meditations, centering, ascension and enlightenment. Also available are links to other spiritual websites, an online discussion forum which allows for the asking and answering of questions, as well as interactivity within the community.
http://www.meditationcenter.com/
Teaching the techniques of mediation through streaming video, the site offers meditation lessons for people of all skill levels, offering guided meditations, meditation practices, as well as a guide to walking meditation and Mantra meditation, which may be practiced for as little as ten minutes a day or for much longer periods of time. Developed by a practitioner and teacher of the Triratna Buddhist Order, the site also offers CDs and MP3s.
https://www.wildmind.org/
