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Buddhist meditation, meditation used in the practice of Buddhism, "includes any method of meditation that has Enlightenment as its ultimate aim". The closest word for meditation in the classical languages of Buddhism is bhavana or "mental development".
Methods of meditation There are many types and forms of meditation used in the various schools of Buddhism. Buddhaghosa enumerated 40 methods of meditation in the Theravadin Visuddhimagga; nowadays there are many more in the various schools. The various methods of meditation can be divided into samatha meditation (tranquility meditation) and vipassana meditation (insight meditation). Well-known samatha type of meditations include anapanasati (mindfulness of breathing), mindfulness of bodily movement, mindfulness on bodily posture (sitting, walking, standing and lying down), and mettā bhāvanā (development of loving kindness). The vipassana meditations include contemplation on impermanence, the six element practice, and contemplation on conditionality. Samatha meditations usually precede and prepare for vipassana meditations. All forms of meditation can be used as an "antidote" to one of the five hindrances : See also Types and aspects of Buddhist meditation: Traditional Buddhist texts on meditation: Traditional preliminary practices to Buddhist meditation: | ||||||||
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