I often see claims here regarding the supposed relation between Zen and meditation. Typical example was recently posted by u/ewk, citing the following quote from Wumen as evidence that he was against meditation:
Warning: "To unify and pacify the mind is quietism, and false Zen."
As anyone who actually studied meditation knows, meditation as taught by the Buddha and practiced by his followers is certainly not intended to merely "pacify the mind".
The major, most important type of meditation prescribed by the Buddha is vipassana (aka "mindfulness") meditation, which has nothing to do with pacification. Its goal is to pierce the illusion of self, rational thought, and all other distortions, mediations, and delusions, to arrive at direct contact with objects as they truly are.
Sounds familiar?
A discussion of meditation, much like any other topic, requires familiarity with the subject matter. If someone posted strong eccentric views of Zen here, and when questioned, responded that these views are based on a portrayal of a "Zen monk" in some Hong Kong kung-fu movie, would that person be taken seriously?
Ironically, the Zen masters often quoted in these discussions probably knew a whole lot more about meditation than the users who quote them. Their remarks reveal a far more complex and nuanced position than most people quoting them seem to understand.
If you want to understand meditation in general, pick up a good book like "Mindfulness in Plain English" or "The Mind Illuminated". For a more rigorous understanding of meditation in Buddhist context, read a good translation - with extensive explanatory footnotes - of the relevant Pali Canon suttas, such as the Satipatṭhāna sutta, or a general Buddhist introductory text like In the Buddha's Words by Bhikkhu Bodhi.
Of course, you don't have to. The Buddha himself stated that enlightenment can be achieved in ways other than the path he prescribed, of which meditation is just one part. Still, don't disparage those who choose this path without at least understanding what you are disparaging.
Submitted July 16, 2017 at 10:52PM by SilaSamadhi http://ift.tt/2tZ6ljO
No comments:
Post a Comment