Saturday, July 17, 2010

Bhavana & Kammathana


Bhavana means dhamma (natural entity) that should be developed (in the mind)

Pali explanation: "Bhavetabbhati Bhavana", Dhamma that Pundits should make them prosper at first and then successively so that they continue as a habit until they have further developed, thus is called Bhavana.

Kammathana has 2 Pali roots, Kamma + Thana.

Pali explanation: "Kiriya Kammang", the action is called Kamma.
"Tithati Aetati thanang", Samatha and Vipassana meditations need to establish an object (in the mind), such as Kasina (image), and Nama - Rupa, thus an object is called Thana (foundation).

For laypersons' speaks, Bhavana means an act of conducting either Samatha meditation (seeking internal quiet peace), or Vipassana (seeking to wisely see things clearly as they are). One can say either that "I regularly conduct a Bhavana" or "I regularly conduct a Kamamathana", which essentially means the same as "I regularly conduct meditation".

Buddha taught 40 different ways to meditate, "40 Kammathana". I 've mentioned of Buddhanusati and Morananusati in previous posts.
(Note: variations using mixed ways is practically acceptable in Thailand. I personally meditate using mixed types. I will elaborate it later.)

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