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From: chee1a1@jetson.uh.edu
Newsgroups: soc.religion.eastern
Subject: Meditation 2 ways: Different yet the Same
Message-ID: <1990Nov8.012939.14684@nas.nasa.gov>
Date: 8 Nov 90 01:29:39 GMT
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Approved: prabhu@amelia.nas.nasa.gov


  Meditation two ways: different yet the same

  Literally, there are two methods given in Buddhist Meditation, namely: 
  Samatha yana (way of concentration) and Vipassana yana (way of insight)
  as mentioned in earlier postings.  Even though as a way
  of practice these seemed to be two distinct ways, as far as attaining the
  goal of nirvana is concerned both concentration and insight are
  required.
  
    In practice, concentration is the basis for development of insight 
  and ultimate enlightenment, and to a buddhist, concentration is not 
  the end itself (as opposed to that sought by non-followers of Buddha
  Dhamma e.g., in Transcendental Meditation or in trying to attain various
  mental powers).  A buddhist seeks concentration because with a 
  distracted and untamed mind it is impossible to see the true 
  nature of oneself and the true nature of the world. The mind gets 
  obstructed  from seeing the truth by the fetters,identified as: 
  laziness(sloth and torper), sensual longings, hatred, wandering,
  lack of confidence or wavering(which I do not like to translate as 
  lack of faith - because word faith has other meanings attached to it).
  By developing concentration and attaining jhana factors, a person
  overcomes these fetters temporarily allowing to see things in 
  their true nature easily.
  
     But to achieve beyond to attain the goal of enlightenment, a person has
  to develop the insight in analysing the true nature of the world.
  That is where vipassana or insight meditation comes into use. Refering
  to the teachings in Buddha Dhamma, the practice of four foundations
  of mindfulness (Pali tr.- Satipatthana Sutta) starts with the 
  instructions on breathing meditation (anapanasati).  Again in Noble
  Eightfold Path, right mindfulness (samma sati) and right concentration
  (samma samadhi) are two factors that must cultivated.

    Since the goal of concentration for a buddhist is enlightenment
  or seeing the true nature of things, objects chosen for meditation
  should not arouse the fetters (such as lust,hatred, laziness etc.)
  in mind.  Therefore fourty or so meditation subjects are taught for
  the convenience of Buddhists (so they do not have to search all over
  the world looking for a suitable meditation subject), some of which
  leads to all five jhanas while some leads only to basic concentration 
  needed for development of insight. Once the mind is strong and does
  not get carried away by distractions it is easily turned towards 
  analysing the true nature of things ((i)impernancy or anicca - 
  changing nature of things, Nothing is forever. Nature changes, 
  flowers,leaves, trees, etc. decay, even solar systems, and galaxies 
  gets destroyed. (2) dukkha, Because of this changing nature of things
  they bring us dukkha or unhappiness. We feel sorrowful when something
  we loved departs from us. It is understaning this existence of 
  unhapiness in nature that leads to further understanding of non-self. 
  (3) The third perception ,anatta,  is non existence of a soul or self. 
  When we see,hear, smell etc. something lovely we see it as ours, or 
  ourselves loving it, grasping it.  But when we see everything changes,
  uselessness  in grasping lust etc. as good, then it is easy to see 
  that there is no self(or soul)).  A buddhist does not develop a negative
  attitude in mind perceiving these three factors (anicca, dukkha, and
  anatta) because of the mind which becomes strong due to concentration.
  A buddhist faces the nature of things and understands them by analysing
  and studying with concentration as the basis.  
  
     In Zen also, as I have read, both concentration and insight are
  practiced.  A method of developing concentration, meditation, is used 
  in attaining the jhanas and then the analysis of true nature is 
  carried out, as seen from the various sayings, parabales,
  and questions of Zen masters.
  
  In summary, the only difference in two methods (samath yana - 
  way of concentration, and vipassana yana - way of insight) are the
  amount of effort on concentration. But both concentration and
  insight are required to attain the goal, nirvana.  Concentration
  is required for analysis or insight. Analysis or insight is required
  for attaining the freedom, nirvana.
  
  Bandula Jayatilaka