Lesson video

Hello, I'm Ms. Ramalli, and welcome to today's RE lesson, which forms part of our unit on Buddhism beliefs.

Today, we're going to be exploring meditation and wisdom.

Today's lesson outcome is "I can explain the nature, purpose and significance of meditation in Buddhism and how it influences Buddhists today." To guide us through today's lesson, there are five key words, meditation, samatha, vipassana, metta bhavana and zazen.

Meditation is a spiritual experience that opens a person up to the highest state of consciousness.

Samatha is a method of meditation and creates a state of calmness.

Vipassana is a method of meditation focused on insight into the true nature of things.

Metta bhavana is a method of meditation focused on developing pure love, which is selfless and not possessive.

And zazen is a method of meditation practised cross-legged with the aim of gaining vipassana, or insight.

Today's lesson on meditation and wisdom takes two parts.

So, we are going to begin by learning about the nature and purpose of meditation, and then moving on to consider the significance and influence of meditation.

Meditation is a spiritual experience that opens a person up to the highest state of consciousness.

It is one of the Mahayana six perfections, and is also part of the Eightfold Path.

Meditation is a significant spiritual practise in Buddhism.

The main purposes include to develop a still, calm and focused mind.

And to develop a greater awareness and understanding of the Buddha's Dhamma, His teachings.

For example, the Eightfold Path, and this reduces dukkha, or suffering, and eventually leads to enlightenment.

Meditation usually focuses on the mindfulness of body and breath.

Mindfulness means to be aware or focused on a present moment.

Meditation involves acknowledging and accepting feelings, thoughts and sensations in the body.

Linn, a Theravada Buddhist, explains the nature of meditation for her.

Linn tells us, "When I meditate, I frequently focus on mindfulness of body and breath.

This means I'm aware or focused on a present moment.

This can involve acknowledging and accepting feelings, thoughts and sensations in my body.

If I find that my mind wonders, I return to the present moment." Let's pause and complete a check for understanding.

Select three purposes of meditation in Buddhism.

A, to worship God.

B, to develop a greater awareness and understanding of the Buddha's Dhamma.

C, to develop a still, calm and focused mind.

Or D, to reduce suffering, which leads to enlightenment.

Remember, you're looking for three answers for this question.

Pause the video here, and press play when you're ready to see the correct answers.

Well done if you selected B, C, and D.

Three purposes of meditation in Buddhism include to develop a greater awareness and understanding of the Buddha's Dhamma, to develop a still, calm and focused mind, and to reduce suffering, which leads to enlightenment.

There are several methods of meditation.

We're gonna have a look at some examples in this lesson.

One of the main types of meditation is samatha meditation, and this is used to create a state of calmness.

The second main method of meditation for Buddhists is vipassana.

Now, often, Buddhists might start with samatha meditation to create a state of calmness, and move on to vipassana meditation, also known as insight meditation.

This might be the case for some Buddhists, but not for all.

Another method of meditation is called metta bhavana meditation, and this focuses on developing loving-kindness.

And zazen meditation focuses on the present moment.

So one main method of meditation is samatha.

Samatha meditation is also known as a calming meditation, and it is believed to cultivate deeper concentration.

This method is often used by Theravada Buddhists.

And the focus of this meditation is on mindfulness of breathing.

Linn, a Theravada Buddhist, explains the purpose of samatha meditation.

Linn tells us, "When I practise samatha meditation, it helps my mind to become calm and open to deeper concentration." So here, Linn is telling us that in order to be able to deepen her concentration, she first of all needs to feel calm.

"I use samatha meditation as a way to develop positive emotion.

And this helps me feel more settled and peaceful." So, another method of meditation I mentioned that's commonly used, and for many Theravada Buddhists, is vipassana, meaning 'insight' into the true nature of things.

So, once the mind has become calm, it can gain insight.

So, some Buddhists will use samatha meditation first to allow their mind to become calm, and then move on to vipassana meditation, where, now their mind is calm, they can gain insight.

And this can help Buddhists to fully grasp the truth of dukkha, suffering, and the impermanent nature of all things.

It might be carried out when walking.

Not necessarily, but it can be.

Niti, a Theravada Buddhist monk, explains the nature and purpose of vipassana meditation.

"Vipassana meditation is not just about focusing on breathing.

It allows me to gain realisation and understanding of the impermanence of all things.

This can include reflecting on the three marks of existence: dukkha, anicca and anatta." True or force, samatha meditation is insight meditation, believed to cultivate deeper concentration? Pause the video here, and press play when you're ready to see the correct answer.

Well done if you said that statement is false.

Samatha meditation is a calming meditation, which is believed to cultivate deeper concentration.

So, now we're gonna pause and complete our first practise task.

Andeep says, "Can you help me to understand samatha and vipassana meditation by completing these sentences?" So, you need to develop each of the following points.

"Samar meditation means.

." "The purpose of samatha meditation is.

." "Vipassana meditation means.

." And "The purpose of vipassana meditation is.

." Good luck completing the first practise task.

Pause the video here, and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Okay, welcome back, everybody.

So, your answers may look like this.

Samatha meditation means to develop a state of calmness.

The purpose of samatha meditation is to cultivate a deeper concentration and develop positive emotions.

This can lead to a more peaceful and settled mind.

Vipassana meditation means gaining 'insight' into the true nature of things.

And the purpose of vipassana meditation is to gain realisation and understanding of the impermanent nature of all things.

This can include reflecting on the three marks of existence: dukkha, anicca and anatta.

Fantastic.

Well done on completing the first practise task.

So, now we're gonna move on to consider the significance and influence of meditation on Buddhists today.

Meditation is significant for most Buddhists in the Sangha, the Buddhist community.

It is significant for Buddhist monks and nuns and also for lay Buddhists.

The Buddha taught about the significance of meditation in the Dhammapada.

And here we have a verse, verse 181, from the Dhammapada.

It says, "Even the gods envy those awakened and mindful who are intent on meditation, wise, and delighting in the peace of the absence of desire." What does this verse teach about the significance of meditation? Pause the video here, and either reflect by yourself, or speak to your partner, and discuss what do you think this first teaches Buddhists about the significance of meditation? Pause the video here, and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

So, what does this verse teach about the significance of meditation? Well, it says it is significant because it can lead to peace and wisdom that even gods envy.

It allows individuals to free themselves from desires and attachment, which are sources of suffering.

Okay, let's complete a check for understanding.

Can you fill in the missing word from the Buddhist teaching, "Even the gods envy those awakened and mindful who are intent on." Pause the video here, and press play when you're ready to see the correct answer.

And well done if you said the missing word is meditation.

Niti explains the significance of meditation for him.

Niti tells us, "Before I begin meditating, I recite the three refuges: 'I seek refuge in the Buddha, I seek refuge in the Dhamma, and I seek refuge in the Sangha.

' This is significant because it helps me develop wisdom of the Buddha's Dhamma.

I am able to enter a calm, meditative state and it reminds me of my path towards enlightenment." Linn explains why meditation is significant to her.

Linn says, "I also practise a form of meditation called metta bhavana, or loving-kindness.

This method is aimed to develop a pure love, which is selfless and not possessive.

This is significant because it helps me develop compassion towards myself and others.

Developing loving-kindness helps me give up feelings of resentment, which brings feelings of positivity and calmness." And Tashi, a Mahayana Buddhist, explains why meditation is significant to her.

Tashi says, "I follow a form of Mahayana Buddhism called Zen.

The word 'zen' means meditation.

Zen Buddhists practise zazen, which means 'sitting meditation.

' The aim of zazen is 'just sitting.

' Meditation is significant to me because it puts me in a calm state.

I avoid judging or engaging with my thoughts and feelings as they pass through my mind.

And this helps me develop mindfulness." Mike is a British Mahayana Buddhist, and works as a scientist.

He explains why meditation is significant to his mind and body.

Mike says, "Research shows that meditation has a positive impact on the brain.

It enhances focus, reduces stress, and improves emotional regulation.

Regular practise can increase grey matter in areas related to memory, self-awareness and empathy.

This can be significant in improving cognitive function, emotional well-being and overall mental health." Niti, Linn and Tashi explain how meditation influences them.

Niti says, "It influences me to deepen my wisdom and understanding of the Buddha's Dhamma.

Linn tells us "It influences me to let go of attachments and desires, reducing stress and emotional turmoil." And Tashi says, "It influences me to develop mindfulness and be aware of my thoughts, feelings and actions." Let's pause and complete a check for understanding.

Select three reasons why meditation can be significant.

A, it helps develop wisdom of the Buddha's Dhamma.

B, it helps develop compassion and loving-kindness.

C, it helps with cognitive function and emotional well-being.

And D, it helps put people in a calm and aggressive state.

Pause the video here, and press play when you're ready to see the correct answers.

And well done if you selected A, B, and C as the correct answers.

Three reasons meditation can be significant is because it helps develop wisdom of the Buddha's Dhamma.

It helps develop compassion and loving-kindness.

And it helps with cognitive function and emotional wellbeing.

So, now we are going to complete our second practise task.

The teachings on meditation are significant for Niti, Linn, Tashi and Mike.

And for each reason in the table below, you need to develop the point.

So Niti says, "It is significant to me because it helps me develop wisdom.

This is important because.

." Linn says "It is significant to me because it helps me develop compassion towards myself and others.

This is important because.

." Tashi tells us "It is significant to me because it puts me in a calm state.

And this is important because.

." And lastly, Mike says, "It is significant to me because it enhances focus, reduces stress, and improves emotional regulation.

This is important because.

." Good luck completing the practise task.

Pause the video here, and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Okay.

Welcome back everybody.

So, your answers may look like this.

So, Niti had said, "It is significant to me because it helps me develop wisdom.

This is important because it reminds me of my path to enlightenment." Linn said, "It is significant to me because it helps me develop compassion towards myself and others.

And this is important because it helps me to develop loving-kindness.

And this helps me feel positive and calm." Tashi said, "It is significant to me because it puts me in a calm state.

This is important because it helps me develop mindfulness." And Mike had said, "It is significant to me because it enhances focus, reduces stress and improves emotional regulation.

And this is important because it improves my overall wellbeing." Fantastic.

Well done on completing the second practise task.

So, that brings us to the end of today's lesson and a summary of our learning on meditation and wisdom.

So, the main purposes of meditation are to develop a calm and focused mind and greater awareness and understanding of the Buddha's Dhamma, His teachings.

The two main forms of meditation are samatha and vipassana.

Samatha meditation aims to bring a state of calmness.

Vipassana meditation aims to bring insights into the Buddha's Dhamma.

The Buddha taught that meditation can lead to peace and wisdom.

And research shows that meditation can have a positive impact on the brain by reducing stress.

Thank you very much for joining me for today's RE lesson.

Goodbye.