- Generosity (dãna), moral virtue (sïla), and meditative development
(bhãvanã) are the three basic categories of meritorious activity taught
by the Buddha. - Mindfulness of breathing (ãnãpãnasati) is practiced by focusing
one’s attention on the in-and-out breaths at the spot where the sensa-
tion of the breath passing in and out appears most prominent. One is
mindful each time the breath comes in and each time it goes out until
one gradually becomes absorbed in the subtle feeling of the breath to
the exclusion of everything else. - “Buddho”, “dhamma”, “sangho” are meditation-words used to hold
the mind’s attention. When focusing on the repetition of “buddho”, for
example, one mentally repeats the word “buddho” continuously while
meditating. Simply be aware of each repetition of “buddho, buddho,
buddho” to the exclusion of all else. Once it becomes continuous, this
simple repetition will produce results of peace and calm in the heart. - This is a contemplation on the nature of the human body. Using
kesã (hair of the head), lomã (hair of the body), nakkhã (nails), dantã
(teeth), and taco (skin) as its most visible aspects, one analyzes the body
according to its constituent parts (of which 32 body parts are tradition-
ally cited). Each part is analyzed in turn, back and forth, until one spe-
cific part captures one’s interest. Then one focuses exclusively on an
investigation into that body part’s true nature. - Meditation on death (maraõãnussati) is a reflection on the nature
of death and its implications for oneself. One contemplates how all
beings on this earth are subject to death: having been born, we get old
and sick and then we die; and one sees that it is a completely natural
process. One realizes that nobody knows when, where, or under what
circumstances death will occur, or what kind of fate one can expect
after death; and that life is very short and one’s time here is limited, so
one should make the most of it. Continuous contemplation of death
inspires diligence in the way of practice, while developing detachment
toward the affairs of the world.
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
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