meditation¶

therevada and mahayana¶

Theravada and Mahayana are two major branches of Buddhism that developed over time, and have distinct differences in their teachings, practices, and goals.

Teachings: Theravada is often referred to as the "Way of the Elders," and is based on the earliest Buddhist scriptures, known as the Pali Canon. Theravada emphasizes the importance of personal enlightenment, or liberation, through one's own efforts, and places great emphasis on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. In contrast, Mahayana teachings place greater emphasis on the compassionate and altruistic aspiration to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings, and often includes more complex philosophical and metaphorical teachings, such as the Lotus Sutra and the Heart Sutra.

Practices: Theravada emphasizes mindfulness, meditation, and ethical conduct as the main means of attaining enlightenment, with an emphasis on individual effort. In contrast, Mahayana emphasizes the development of bodhisattva practices, such as the six perfections (generosity, ethics, patience, energy, concentration, and wisdom), and the cultivation of compassion and the altruistic aspiration to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.

Goals: The ultimate goal of Theravada is to achieve liberation from the cycle of birth and death, also known as nirvana. In contrast, the ultimate goal of Mahayana is to become a fully enlightened being, or a buddha, for the benefit of all beings.

While there are differences between Theravada and Mahayana, they both share the core teachings of the Buddha and share the same goal of ending suffering and attaining lasting peace and happiness. The choice between the two depends on an individual's personal inclinations, background, and spiritual goals.

what are the main meditations in theravada¶

The Theravada tradition of Buddhism, also known as the "Doctrine of the Elders," is the oldest form of Buddhism still in existence today and is prevalent in Southeast Asian countries such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Some of the main meditations practiced in the Theravada tradition include:

Anapanasati: MINDFULNESS of breathing meditation
Metta (Loving-Kindness) Meditation: meditation focused on cultivating feelings of love, kindness, and compassion towards oneself and others
Maranasati: MINDFULNESS of death meditation
Vipassana: Insight Meditation, a form of meditation aimed at developing self-awareness and wisdom through observing one's thoughts and feelings
Samatha: Calm Abiding Meditation, a form of meditation aimed at developing CONCENTRATION and mental stability
Body Scan Meditation: meditation focused on becoming aware of physical sensations in the body
Jhana Meditation: deep meditation that leads to a state of tranquility and concentration
Contemplation of the Four Noble Truths: meditation focused on reflecting on the Four Noble Truths, which are the foundation of Buddhist teachings

These meditations are designed to cultivate mindfulness, concentration, and insight, leading to greater wisdom and understanding of the nature of reality. Practitioners are encouraged to seek guidance from a qualified teacher or meditation center to develop their practice and to ensure they are practicing correctly.

what are the top 10 meditations in theravada?¶

It's difficult to say which are the top 10 meditations in Theravada Buddhism as it can vary depending on the individual practitioner and their needs and goals. However, some commonly practiced meditations in Theravada include:

Anapanasati: MINDFULNESS of breathing meditation
Metta (Loving-Kindness) Meditation
Maranasati: MINDFULNESS of death meditation
Vipassana: Insight Meditation
Samatha: Calm Abiding Meditation
Body Scan Meditation
Jhana Meditation
Contemplation of the Four Noble Truths
Contemplation of the Body
Contemplation of Feelings (Pleasant, Unpleasant, and Neutral)

These are just a few examples of the many different meditations that are practiced in the Theravada tradition.

It's important to find a meditation that resonates with you and meets your needs, and to practice regularly under the guidance of a qualified teacher or meditation center.

Cūḷa Vedalla Sutta¶

The Cula Vedalla Sutta is a Buddhist discourse that appears in the Majjhima Nikaya, one of the early Buddhist scriptures.

The Cula Vedalla Sutta is a conversation between the Buddha and a group of wanderers (vedalla) who ask the Buddha questions about the nature of reality and the causes of suffering.

In the Cula Vedalla Sutta, the Buddha teaches the wanderers about dependent origination (Paticca Samuppada), which is one of the central teachings in Buddhism.

According to this teaching, all phenomena arise in dependence upon causes and conditions, and therefore have no permanent essence or self.

The Buddha also teaches the wanderers about the Four Noble Truths, which state that suffering exists, that the cause of suffering is craving and attachment, that it is possible to end suffering, and that the path to the end of suffering is the Eightfold Path.

The Cula Vedalla Sutta is widely studied and recited within the Theravada tradition, and is considered an important teaching for gaining a deeper understanding of the nature of reality and the causes of suffering.

The discourse is also seen as an example of the Buddha's skillful means in teaching complex philosophical concepts in a way that is accessible and understandable to people with a wide range of backgrounds and levels of understanding.

important suttas¶

The ten most important suttas (discourses) in Buddhism may vary depending on individual interpretation and the tradition or school of Buddhism one follows. However, the following suttas are often considered to be among the most important and influential in Buddhist teachings:

The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta - "The Setting in Motion of the Wheel of Dharma"
The Anatta-lakkhana Sutta - "The Discourse on the Characteristics of Non-self"
The Maha-parinibbana Sutta - "The Great Discourse on the Final Nibbana"
The Maha-Mangala Sutta - "The Great Discourse on Blessings"
The Maha-satipatthana Sutta - "The Great Discourse on the Foundations of Mindfulness"
The Metta Sutta - "Discourse on Loving-Kindness"
The Sutta Nipata - a collection of suttas that covers a range of teachings
The Sigalovada Sutta - "The Discourse to Sigala on Household Life"
The Samyutta Nikaya - a collection of suttas organized by themes
The Anguttara Nikaya - a collection of suttas arranged in numerical categories.

It's important to note that this list is not exhaustive and other suttas may also be considered important depending on individual interpretation and the tradition followed.

Sigalovada¶

The Sigalovada Sutta is a Buddhist scripture that provides advice on how to live an ethical and harmonious life, and foster good relationships with family, friends, and community.

It provides a code of conduct for laypeople, outlining the duties and responsibilities of householders towards their parents, spouse, children, friends, a person's, and society as a whole.

The sutta emphasizes the importance of generosity, honesty, wisdom, and virtuous behavior, and provides guidance on how to cultivate these qualities and live a fulfilling life.

It is considered an important text in Theravada Buddhism, and is widely studied and revered by Buddhists.

Sāmaññaphala¶

The Sāmaññaphala Sutta is a Buddhist scripture that contains the discourse given by the Buddha to King Ajatasattu of Magadha, after the king asked the Buddha about the benefits of leading a spiritual life.

The sutta outlines the various benefits that one can expect to attain from following the Buddha's teachings, including ethical conduct, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom.

It highlights the peace and happiness that can be achieved through spiritual practice, and the importance of renouncing worldly pursuits and attachments in order to achieve liberation from suffering.

The Sāmaññaphala Sutta is considered an important text in Theravada Buddhism, and provides a glimpse into the Buddha's teachings on the nature of the spiritual path and the rewards of spiritual practice.

Sāmaññaphala¶

The Sāmaññaphala Sutta is a discourse given by the Buddha to King Ajatasattu of Magadha.

The sutta is structured as a conversation between the king and the Buddha, in which the king asks the Buddha about the benefits of leading a spiritual life.
The Buddha responds by outlining the various benefits that one can expect to attain from following the Buddha's teachings, including:
Restraint of the senses: The Buddha explains that one who follows the spiritual path will have control over their senses, and will be able to resist temptation and maintain good behavior.
Good conduct: The Buddha explains that one who follows the spiritual path will have good conduct and will avoid unethical behavior.
MINDFULNESS and awareness: The Buddha explains that one who follows the spiritual path will have MINDFULNESS and awareness, and will be able to live in the present moment and avoid becoming distracted by external stimuli.
Concentration: The Buddha explains that one who follows the spiritual path will have concentration, and will be able to focus their mind and cultivate mental tranquility.
Wisdom: The Buddha explains that one who follows the spiritual path will develop wisdom, and will be able to understand the nature of reality and the path to liberation.
Happiness: The Buddha explains that one who follows the spiritual path will experience happiness, and will be free from anxiety and stress.
Freedom from suffering: The Buddha explains that one who follows the spiritual path will be freed from suffering, and will achieve a state of peace and happiness.

The Sāmaññaphala Sutta is considered an important text in Theravada Buddhism, and provides a glimpse into the Buddha's teachings on the nature of the spiritual path and the rewards of spiritual practice.

Dhammacakkappavattana¶

The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta is the Buddha's first teaching and lays out the foundation of Buddhist doctrine. It consists of four noble truths:

The truth of suffering (dukkha) - that life is characterized by suffering and is impermanent.
The truth of the cause of suffering (samudaya) - that craving and attachment are the causes of suffering.
The truth of the end of suffering (nirodha) - that it is possible to end suffering.
The truth of the path to the end of suffering (magga) - that the Eightfold Path leads to the end of suffering.

The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta also introduces the concept of the Three Universal Characteristics (ti-lakkhaṇa): impermanence, suffering, and non-self. The sutta concludes by emphasizing the importance of putting these teachings into practice.

Dhammacakkappavattana¶

The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, also known as the "Discourse on the Turning of the Wheel of Dhamma," is one of the most important suttas in Buddhism and contains the first teachings of the Buddha to his first five disciples.

Some of the main points in the sutta are:

Four Noble Truths: The Buddha outlines the Four Noble Truths, which are the cornerstone of Buddhist teachings.
Eightfold Path: He then explains the Eightfold Path as the way to end suffering and attain enlightenment.
Three Universal Truths: The Buddha explains that all things are impermanent, that all beings are subject to suffering, and that there is no permanent self or soul.
Middle Way: The Buddha emphasizes the importance of avoiding extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification and instead finding a middle way.
MINDFULNESS and Mental Cultivation: The Buddha encourages the cultivation of MINDFULNESS and mental development as a means to overcome ignorance and attain wisdom.
Dependent Origination: The Buddha explains the principle of Dependent Origination, which states that all things arise in dependence upon other things and that nothing arises without a cause.

Overall, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta lays out the core teachings of Buddhism and provides a foundation for the study and practice of Buddhism.

middle way¶

The "Middle Way" in Buddhism refers to the practice of avoiding the extremes of excessive indulgence and self-denial, and instead seeking a balanced and moderate approach to life. Here are some steps you can take to practice the Middle Way in Buddhism:

Understand the nature of suffering: The Buddha taught that suffering arises from craving and attachment to things that are impermanent and changing.
Cultivate MINDFULNESS and self-awareness: By being MINDFUL and aware of your thoughts and feelings, you can identify when you are veering towards either extreme of excessive indulgence or self-denial.
Develop wisdom: The Middle Way requires the development of wisdom, so that you can understand the impermanence and unsatisfactoriness of all things and let go of attachment.
Practice moderation in all things: Avoid extremes in all areas of life, such as food, work, and relationships. Seek a balance that is MINDFUL and ethical, and that leads to happiness and peace.
Cultivate compassion: The Middle Way also involves the development of compassion for all beings, recognizing that all beings experience suffering and seeking to help others find freedom from suffering.

Remember that the Middle Way is a path that requires consistent effort and the development of wisdom over time. It may take time to fully integrate these principles into your life, but with patience and persistence, you can develop a life that is balanced, mindful, and compassionate.