Meditation:
- Buddhist meditation is a form of mental concentration that leads ultimately to enlightenment and spiritual freedom.
- Meditation occupies a central place in all forms of Buddhism, but has developed characteristic variations in different Buddhist traditions.
- There are two main types of Buddhist meditation: vipassana (insight) and samatha (tranquility). The two are often combined or used one after the other (usually vipissana follows samatha).
- In China and Japan, an entire school of Buddhism developed around the practice of sitting meditation: Ch’an or Zen Buddhism.
Tranquility Meditation (Samatha)
The basic purpose of samatha or tranquility meditation is to still the mind and train it to concentrate. The object of concentration (kammatthana) is less important than the skill of concentration itself, and varies by individual and situation.
Insight Meditation (Vipassana)
Many of the skills learned in tranquility meditation can be applied to insight meditation, but the end goal is different. As its name suggests, the purpose of insight meditation is the realization of important truths. Specifically, one who practices vipassana hopes to realize the truths of impermanence, suffering and "no-self."
- Buddhist meditation is a form of mental concentration that leads ultimately to enlightenment and spiritual freedom.
- Meditation occupies a central place in all forms of Buddhism, but has developed characteristic variations in different Buddhist traditions.
- There are two main types of Buddhist meditation: vipassana (insight) and samatha (tranquility). The two are often combined or used one after the other (usually vipissana follows samatha).
- In China and Japan, an entire school of Buddhism developed around the practice of sitting meditation: Ch’an or Zen Buddhism.
Tranquility Meditation (Samatha)
The basic purpose of samatha or tranquility meditation is to still the mind and train it to concentrate. The object of concentration (kammatthana) is less important than the skill of concentration itself, and varies by individual and situation.
Insight Meditation (Vipassana)
Many of the skills learned in tranquility meditation can be applied to insight meditation, but the end goal is different. As its name suggests, the purpose of insight meditation is the realization of important truths. Specifically, one who practices vipassana hopes to realize the truths of impermanence, suffering and "no-self."