Question:
What made Buddha's meditation method unique?
2008-06-06 01:02:59 UTC
He outmastered his two meditation/yogic teachers because their form of enlightenment was limited to the meditation session itself. What's unique about Buddha's meditation method that makes it last long-term?

I tried loving-kindness meditation and it worked briefly during the session but quickly lapsed once I left the room. Also, what's the practical difference between loving kindness medition and mindfulness meditation?
Eight answers:
shrill alarmist, I'm sure
2008-06-06 07:16:23 UTC
What is unique to Buddhist meditation is the object of observation, specifically, the lack of true establishment of the self and of phenomena. What makes (any realization you seek) last long term is repeated familiarization with it - so, if you seek loving-kindness you have to stabilize your understanding of it, its characteristics and its validity through analyzing it and then trying again and again to single-pointedly concentrate on it until you no longer need to fabricate it with reasoning, until it becomes spontaneous. So, because of this reason, the lack of true establishment of self and phenomena, the mind can be tamed and our state of mind can be improved infinitely. In fact, the nature of the mind is said to be clear and luminous and it is our concepts and actions arising out of a lack of deep awareness of the nature of reality (self-grasping ignorance) that keeps us bound to the wheel of cyclic existence. These stains can be removed in the same way dirt can be removed from a cloth. The first time you try it, maybe it doesn't come out, but over time, with a sustained effort - the appearance of the stain will fade and then be gone. These negativities of mind - like the opposite of loving-kindness, the opposite of compassion, the opposite of wisdom, the opposite of mindfulness can be lessened and eventually eradicated altogether through applying their opponents. What causes our suffering? What is the specific origin of it? Once this has been ascertained, you then begin to investigate what path you should take to be rid of it. And for this, you need wisdom, specifically, the wisdom realizing emptiness. At least a theoretical understanding at first. This is the truth of path; this is the jewel of the buddhadharma that sets it apart from non-buddhist traditions which also assert things such as mindfulness or calm-abiding, even those buddhist schools that assert insight or vipassana by taking an object of observation such as the breath. These alone are not sufficient causal factors for liberation or enlightenment. Meditation is not enough and wisdom is not enough; but they are both necessary in the same way a bird needs two wings to fly. In fact, the Dharma Master Atisha has said that either of these by themselves is bondage. Best wishes to you for your ultimate happiness and may all sentient beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering!
2016-03-14 04:20:46 UTC
2. No, he could not walk on water. The walking on water myth comes from christian mythology, not buddhist teachings. 1. Buddha taught the principle of "right concentration". Meditation techniques were already established at that time, and there are a variety of effective meditation practices. As a new starter, bear in mind that it is practice, practice, practice. Don't try to run before you can walk. Find a beginner's practice that suits you and work on it until firmly established. Then think about branching out into other methods. If you find that slow breathing practice is working for you, stick with it for a while until you have got a good grip on it.
Greg L
2008-06-06 13:52:25 UTC
The full-lotus position and zen (chan) and the middle way.



It wasn't about inflicting pain on the self on purpose. Pain is just part of the process, not the goal of the process.



The process of the practice is that you cultivate it, not enlighten in a day or in a session. You practice daily so you can reach that samadhi concentration (where all thoughts come to a stop; the mind is still; sounds pass your ears but you don't react or notice). And through that daily process, you are focusing on a single element until that samadhi concentration is reached and then the mind is still. In samadhi, there is no long the self, ego, others, etc.



The pain has to be overcome completely.



The Buddha's zen worked because of these major elements. He was able to focus on a single element and reach samadhi concentration. To stay in samadhi concentration, he was able to withstand the pains of meditation to the point that there was no distinctions between pain/comfort. In samadhi concentration, and being able to sit for so long, he reached the realizations of all things (enlightenment). Basically, during samadhi, he was tapping into Zen (chan). By focussing on zen (chan), the essence of all buddhas, and nothing else, he could only do one thing but become a buddha.



So for us who can only meditate 1 hour at a time, some 2 hours, and others more, we do it daily as a cultivation and practice until we can reach the point where meditation and stillness are unified without time, meaning, we can meditate for as long as we liked and there isn't any pain, obstruction, or distraction.



The Venerable Zen Master Hsuan Hua was able to do this, as he was constantly surrounded by disciples and many have witnessed his still meditation to last even weeks at a time unmoved and unstopped. His Chan (*ZEN) handbook is extremely good and illustrates all the points of the Buddha's meditation towards enlightenment. I am not a zen master so I can only answer surface-level.



But you should read the Handbook. The Master talks about techniques, concentration, mind obstacles, patience, vigor, mechanics, stages and effects, sensations, samadhi.

People study his teachings on zen because those who cultivate, can affirm his teachings. For example, the stages that a novice experiences, the master has already talked about. The stages an intermediate enters, are already described and illustrated by the master. And for those who can meditate about 8 hours at a time, affirm what the master said. And the master has discussed beyond that too. He was a living testimony of those teachings.



ZEN HANDBOOK, by Venerable Master Hsuan Hua

http://www.gbm-online.com/dharma/the_chan_handbook.pdf



Dharma Talk and Lecture Compilations on the Venerable Master Hua.

**just search the page for "Chan" or "medit" to locate all the lectures that the Master spoke on meditation.

http://www.gbm-online.com/dharma/the_chan_handbook.pdf



Lecture series during the winter meditation sessions.

http://cttbusa.org/listen/listen2_21.asp
2008-06-06 15:44:24 UTC
It's unique because it's part of the teaching from the Buddha scripture. In fact, each sect has its own meditation method and lead to different levels.



In order to stay long time in a meditation session, one must be pure or empty in his peace. "A Calm Mind" of the Zhuan Falun Lecture on the web provides a glimpse about how to focus on complete calmness. As a part of the Buddhist daily practice, the meditation, the study of the scripture, and conduct per the scripture go hand in hand to raise one's level.



Falun Gong is a unique Buddhist School. Falun Gong is based upon the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance. Falun Gong consists of five sets of powerful exercises.



Falun Gong, Tibetans, other Buddhists, and Christians have been persecuted in China. The most offensive human right violation is the organ harvesting from the Falun Gong practitioners in China.



Can you kindly sign a petition to stop persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China ahead of the Beijing Olympics, please ?

http://cipfg.org/en/news/731.html



Thanks.
Nick
2008-06-06 01:14:32 UTC
Loving kindess is focusing on your relationships with others ie; family, friends, acquatiences and enemies.

You can practise loving kindess everyday even without offically meditating.



Mindful meditation is purely focusing on yourself and your body, and being open to your surroundings and listening to yourself.



You need to practise everyday to get it right. When you're practising with lots of other people in a temple it's alot easier then doing it on your own.
2008-06-06 04:53:04 UTC
His was "unique" because he was rich, born to a rich family. In fact, a Prince. Once he said he "obtained enlightenment" everyone Had to listen because of the power of his family. Look at what happened when Henry VIII said England shouldn't be Catholic anymore... They created a new catholic church, Anglican, and made Henry the head!
2008-06-06 01:06:24 UTC
He spent his life achieving that goal and actually trying to be zen made it happen when he gave up everything he had for it.
i need ans
2008-06-06 08:27:05 UTC
being "naked" i guess.lollzz....

sorry.but thaz wot came 2 my mind d moment i read ur question. oops..lol.


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