Tu Viện Quảng Đức105 Lynch Rd, Fawkner, Vic 3060. Australia. Tel: 9357 3544. quangduc@quangduc.com* Viện Chủ: HT Tâm Phương, Trụ Trì: TT Nguyên Tạng   

17. Right Meditation

12/05/202012:16(Xem: 3083)
17. Right Meditation

duc the ton 2

RIGHT MEDITATION

Venerable Sumangalo

Right Meditation is often called Right Concentration, because it is shutting out of the mind of all but one thought. Real meditation usually comes about only after long practice. But boys and girls can practise some of the various forms of meditation and really ought to try to meditate at least a little every day.

Many Buddhist families have either morning or evening devotions, or both, and it is a good custom to use the meditation on goodwill as part of the devotions. Here is the formula that is used for the sending forth of thoughts of goodwill to all beings:

“We surround all mankind and all forms of life with infinite love and compassion. Particularly do we send forth loving thoughts to those in suffering and sorrow, to all those in doubt and ignorance, to all who are striving to find Truth, and to those whose feet are standing close beside the gate of death, we send out oceans of compassion, love and goodwill.”

Another devotion that every boy and girl ought to know by heart and be able to use as a subject of meditation every day is this:

“I am a link in Lord Buddha’s chain of love that stretches around the world. I must keep my link bright and strong. I must think only good thoughts; I must speak only good words and do only good deeds. May all people everywhere become links in Lord Buddha’s chain of love.”

When we say these devotions aloud, or silently think about them, we ought to use good mind-control and concentrate only on the devotion. This is good experience for us and will help us to become good users of the deeper meditation when we are grown-ups.

Every Buddhist boy and girl ought to know at least a little about meditation. There are several ways we can sit when we are mediating, but the best is to use the way that Lord Buddha used. He sat in the double lotus position, or as it is often called, in Sanskrti, the Padmasana. If we have used chairs all our lives, and do not attempt to sit in meditation until we are grown-ups, we may find that our muscles and joints have become uncomfortable for us. But if we start to sit in this position when we are boys and girls and sit that way only ten or fifteen minutes each day, then the double-lotus posture will be easy for us all through life. Here is how it is done – first remove your shoes or sandals, then, if you are wearing a belt that is a bit tight, loosen it. That goes for neckties too. The next step is to sit on the floor and take the left foot and place it (with the sole of the foot up) on your right thigh. Then take the right foot and place it sole up on the left thigh. Now straighten your back, hold your head erect, partly close your eyes, place your right hand in your left hand, palms up, thumbs lightly touching.

Now that you have your body in the right position, you must get both your body and mind in a calm and peaceful condition and this is done by breath-control. Silently you say to yourself – “one I breathe in” and then you inhale slowly and deeply and hold your breath for a moment or two. The mouth must be kept closed all during these breathing exercises. Next say mentally – “one I breathe out” and then slowly exhale the breath. Do this to the count of ten and keeping your attention centred on nothing but your breathing. This is a good way to learn to concentrate.

The next step is to think only of goodwill. Send thoughts of goodwill to yourself for a moment or two. Then silently recite the devotions that are given in this lesson. This will be easier if we know the devotions by heart. Later on, when we are grown-ups, there are other forms of meditation, but the sample given in this lesson is a good one for boys and girls to use as a starter.


 

SWEET TIME OF MEDITATION

Sweet time of mediation,

The quiet time of peace,

When from life’s care and turmoil

I find a blest release.

 

In silent contemplation,

New faith and hope I win;

More light and deeper knowledge

More strength to conquer sin.

 

Sweet time of meditation,

When, silent and alone,

The master’s word I ponder,

His truth to make mine own.

 

With earnest purpose seeking,

I gather more and more

Of Wisdom’s holy treasure

From His exhaustless store.

 

Sweet time of meditation,

When oft there comes to me,

A vision of the Master

Beneath the Bodhi tree.

 

And with Him in that vigil,

My spirit seems to share

A foretaste of Nirvana,

Of bliss beyond compare.

                    -A. R. Zorn.

 

QUESTIONS

  1. What is another name for Right Meditation?
  2. Is concentration always meditation, or do we mean religious concentration?
  3. Do we need practice to become an expert in meditation?
  4. Can boys and girls start to learn how to meditate?
  5. What do we call the position when we sit cross-legged on the floor?
  6. What are the rules about the breathing exercises?
  7. How do we place our hands?
  8. What is a good subject to use for concentration?
  9. Do you know some devotions that can be used for “broadcasting”?
  10. Is it a good idea to meditate many hours at a time?


Typing for Quang Duc Homepage in Melbourne, Australia:
Quảng Đại Thắng (Brendan Trần) & Quảng Đại Khánh (Nathan Trần)
https://quangduc.com/p52208a68074/buddhist-sunday-school-lessons-venerable-sumangalo
Gửi ý kiến của bạn
Tắt
Telex
VNI
Tên của bạn
Email của bạn
30/05/2024(Xem: 756)
Most Ven Dr. Bokunoruwe Devananda Thero will give a Dharma talk in Singapore: True happiness comes from within but not external
14/10/2023(Xem: 4468)
Our immense pleasure is to present to you this remarkable conference book – Buddhism: A Historical and Practical Vision. Inside these pages lies a stunning tapestry of wisdom created by the joint dedication and hard work of young Vietnamese Buddhist monks and nuns scholars who have explored the legacy of Buddhism in depth. From exploring the compatibility and integration of Mahāyāna Buddhism’s teachings with realistic political theory on leadership and the introduction Buddhist philosophy and the establishment and significance of Buddhist universities in the United States, each paper stands as a testament to the vibrant diversity and enduring relevance of Buddhist thought. Among the thought-provoking papers, you will discover insightful investigations into the practical theory of impermanence as a means to enhance one’s own living experience. Additionally, a critical interpretation of Nibbāna from Dr. Ambedkar’s perspective in the Indian Engaged Buddhist Movement sheds light
25/07/2023(Xem: 4975)
Dealing with the chosen work, I observe that a puggala has been present in the world because of dependent origination (paṭiccasamuppāda) or continuity of change (santāna). The five masses of elements (pañcakkhandhā), which constitute the puggala and the world around him, are without any substance (anattā), impermanent (anicca) and they are really causes of grief (dukkha)...
20/07/2023(Xem: 1766)
During his recent visit to Melbourne, Australia to attend the Conference on Sociology, at the Melbourne Convention Centre. Professor Dr. Ryushun Kiyofuji visited Quang Duc Monastery, 30 minutes from downtown Melbourne. On this occasion, I had the chance to interview him about the current situation of Buddhism in Japan.
12/06/2023(Xem: 3455)
“One person, mendicants, arises in the world for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of compassion for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans. What one person? The Realized One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha. This is the one person, mendicants, who arises in the world for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of compassion for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans.” *
30/03/2023(Xem: 4028)
War - we all know this word. There were too many battles in this world since we were the nomads, wandering over sea and land up to the time when the acquisition of material goods increased over time and possession became more powerful in their desire to master and dominate the world. In family and society, from the young to the dignitary, none of them want to give up possession but always to get more. The more assets, the greater desire. The more one tries to get, the stronger greed and selfishness fortifies.
10/12/2022(Xem: 2364)
There can be no success in getting happiness out of Lord Buddha’s Dharma until we understand and use ‘Sila’, which is a Pali-Sanskrit word meaning morality. The Five Precepts are often called ‘Pancasila’, which means ‘the Five Moralities’. As a rule, these five moralities are recited after the Three Refuges, and are usually considered as a necessary part of the ceremony of becoming a Buddhist. Everyone who understands these rules knows it is good and wise to follow them all, but many persons have weak characters and do not make a real attempt to be guided by these Five Rules that all Buddhists must follow. They are:
facebook youtube google-plus linkedin twitter blog
Nguyện đem công đức này, trang nghiêm Phật Tịnh Độ, trên đền bốn ơn nặng, dưới cứu khổ ba đường,
nếu có người thấy nghe, đều phát lòng Bồ Đề, hết một báo thân này, sinh qua cõi Cực Lạc.

May the Merit and virtue,accrued from this work, adorn the Buddhas pureland,
Repay the four great kindnesses above, andrelieve the suffering of those on the three paths below,
may those who see or hear of these efforts generates Bodhi Mind, spend their lives devoted to the Buddha Dharma,
the Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Quang Duc Buddhist Welfare Association of Victoria
Tu Viện Quảng Đức | Quang Duc Monastery
Most Venerable Thich Tam Phuong | Senior Venerable Thich Nguyen Tang
Address: Quang Duc Monastery, 105 Lynch Road, Fawkner, Vic.3060 Australia
Tel: 61.03.9357 3544 ; Fax: 61.03.9357 3600
Website: http://www.quangduc.com
http://www.tuvienquangduc.com.au (old)
Xin gửi Xin gửi bài mới và ý kiến đóng góp đến Ban Biên Tập qua địa chỉ:
quangduc@quangduc.com