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Q-03:  I have been learning Buddha Dharma from different masters, teachers and friends. Recently I noticed many things going on about meditation. It is wonderful and I am ignorant about meditation. Some people said meditation is a way to calm the mind. Others said meditation is a way of practice. Some said meditation is a way of looking at phenomena. I am a little bit confused. I know some meditation practices but I don't know the meaning of meditation. So could you please explain the meaning of meditation?

Thank you.

With Metta,

Viriya

Q-03:  It is understandable that you are confused about the meaning of meditation as the “meditation” is the interpretation of the Pali word “Bhavana.” There are some Pali words to express Bhavana or meditation.

For example,

Metta-bhavana is loving kindness meditation.

Buddhanussati is a reflection on the virtues of the Buddha.

Kayanupassana is the contemplation on body parts.

Bhavana, anussati and anupassana also refers to meditation. Therefore there are different definitions and approaches to meditation.

Depending on meditation method used, definition can differ. The definitions that you described are essentially different methods. “Meditation is the way of practice.” This term is often used by mindfulness meditation masters. And “the method of calm mind” is instructed by samadhi or concentration or one-pointedness meditation masters. Finally “meditation is a way of looking at phenomena.” This is explained by vipassana or insight meditation masters.

You may be also confuse about the names of meditation such as mindfulness meditation, awareness meditation, concentration meditation, one-pointedness or samadhi meditation, vipassana or insight meditation etc.

These are in fact, the stages in spiritual progress mindfulness (sati), concentration (Samadhi) and wisdom (panna). Mindfulness is followed by concentration and concentration is followed by insight knowledge or wisdom which is realizing the true nature of the object of concentration.

That is why some emphasized on mindfulness, so it is called mindfulness meditation. Some focus on concentration, so it is called concentration meditation. And insight meditation is given to those who pay more attention to insight than other meditations. Different interpretation of meditation is given depending on different meditation methods. All the interpretations make sense.

Dear Viriya, I would suggest that you choose the type of meditation that you think is good for you, practice it, and you will understand the meaning of meditation through your own experience. You may even be able to add more definition of meditation, after all.

With Metta,

U Cittara

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     Dhamma Questions are answered by Bhante U Cittara, resident monk of Mangala Vihara, and his assistant monks. Questions and comments on given answers are welcome. Send your questions and comments to resident_monk@mangalavihara.org.sg.