Episode 5: Body Regulating TechniqueThis consists of five main points:SITTING IN THE CORRECT POSTUREFULL AWARENESS OF THE WHOLE BODYSETTLING IN THE WHOLE BODYRELAXING THE WHOLE BODYKEEPING THE WHOLE BODY MOTIONLESSa. Correct Posture- Hands: Rest the palms on the heels facing upward, left hand over right, with the tips of the thumbs lightly touching. Keep the hands and fingers straight, without bending.- Eyes: Keep them open, gazing down toward a point slightly in front. For beginners, the eyes should remain open to better detect any leaning or imbalance in relation to surrounding objects. Only when mindfulness is firmly established and alertness is not lost may one close the eyes.- Tongue: Lightly touch the upper gum behind the front teeth.- Mouth: Close naturally, without tension.- Back: Keep upright, neither slumping nor over-stretching, for over-exertion will cause fatigue and tension in the head (strain on the brain nerves).- Shoulders: Relax naturally and balanced, without tilting on one side.- Arms: Keep them slightly away from the torso, not pressed against the sides.- Head: Incline slightly forward, without tilting or turning to either side.b. Full Awareness and Sensation of the Whole BodyThe mind must always turn inward to be aware of the entire body, from the head down to the limbs. The practitioner checks whether the posture is correct: Is the back slouching? Are the shoulders uneven? Is the head tilted? Are the hands in proper form? Are the arms pressed too close to the sides? Are the eyes directed correctly? Is the body leaning forward or backward?Maintain constant mindfulness, knowing the whole body and relaxing it. If any deviation in posture is detected, adjust it back to the correct posture.c. Keeping the Body Soft and MotionlessAlong with being fully aware of the entire body, gently relax the body, keeping it soft and still.First, check the overall posture. Then examine more subtly, see if any part is tense or fidgeting. Every muscle, every finger and toe, the thighs, calves, and arms… must be relaxed, steady, and motionless.The practitioner must always monitor the body, because when sitting still for some time, certain muscles, like in the thighs, arms, fingers, shoulders, or neck, may naturally become tense. These must be recognized and promptly relaxed again.This ongoing process of inspection and adjustment is the practice of regulating the body.Important Notes:- Be aware of the whole body gently, without forcing or suppressing; otherwise, energy will rise to the head, causing strain in the brain. Nor should awareness be vague or unclear; without clarity, idle thoughts arise unnoticed, leading to sleepiness.- When thoughts arise, there is no need to suppress them; simply return to full awareness of the body, examining every part of it, and the thoughts will naturally dissolve. If they still persist, know that it is the force of past karma and silently repent. Once the mind is calm again, continue to maintain full-body awareness, along with meditative contemplations.2.2. More Awareness in the Lower BodyOnce full-body awareness is established, concentrate more on the chest, abdomen, and especially the lower abdomen.The root of consciousness lies in the lower abdomen (including the dāntián and the huiyin point at the very base of abdomen). Anchoring here is a return to the source of consciousness, enabling the mind to settle. Anchoring to the chest–abdomen area will subdue obvious thoughts; anchoring at the very base of abdomen will subdue even subtle thoughts.Never focus the mind on the head, for this is the “tip” of consciousness. Attention there does not bring calmness, but instead drives energy upward, stressing the brain, agitating the mind, and giving rise to illness.2.3. Contemplations on the Moral Principles #Meditation, #Enlightenment, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #Blessing, #Goodblessing, #JannaOrderMonastery

Episode 4: During Sitting MeditationMeditation involves both techniques and contemplation. Practitioners should proceed in the following order:1. Before the Meditation session1.1. Bow to the Buddha three times with absolute reverence1.2. Sit in the full lotus posturePlace the left foot on the right thigh, then place the right foot on the left thigh. The soles of the feet should rest in a balanced position, neither too close nor too far from the hips.1.3. Chant the Prayer before MeditationOnce seated correctly, place palms together and chant (silently if alone, aloud if in a group):“May Buddha guide meAlways rememberBody is not meAnd Mind is not meSo nothing is meFor every breath inFor every breath outAll reverence for the Buddhas”Namo Sākyamuni Buddha (3 times).1.4. Make 3 Vows of VirtuesAfter chanting the Prayer before Meditation and reciting the Buddha’s name, keep palms joined and silently make 3 Vows of Virtues:- May the Buddha help me know how to pay homage to all the Buddhas, the Patriarchs, and the Noble Saṅgha with utmost, absolute and boundless reverence, from now until forever.- May the Buddha help me know how to love all beings in the visible as well as invisible realms, from humankind to plants, flowers and trees; from birds and animals in the forest to fish in water, even to beings suffering in hell.- May the Buddha help me keep the deepest humility, always seeing myself as small as dust and trash, as a blade of grass.If ordained, practitioners must make another vow: I vow with firm resolve to maintain complete purity, free from all defilements.Once these vows are established, begin the practice of regulating the body.2. Steps of Practice from Basic to AdvancedMeditation method consists of two elements: techniques and contemplation, both aiming to gather the mind into concentration.2.1. Body Regulating TechniqueThis consists of five main points:SITTING IN THE CORRECT POSTUREFULL AWARENESS OF THE WHOLE BODYSETTLING IN THE WHOLE BODYRELAXING THE WHOLE BODYKEEPING THE WHOLE BODY MOTIONLESSa. Correct Posture- Hands: Rest the palms on the heels facing upward, left hand over right, with the tips of the thumbs lightly touching. Keep the hands and fingers straight, without bending.- Eyes: Keep them open, gazing down toward a point slightly in front. For beginners, the eyes should remain open to better detect any leaning or imbalance in relation to surrounding objects. Only when mindfulness is firmly established and alertness is not lost may one close the eyes.- Tongue: Lightly touch the upper gum behind the front teeth.- Mouth: Close naturally, without tension.- Back: Keep upright, neither slumping nor over-stretching, for over-exertion will cause fatigue and tension in the head (strain on the brain nerves).- Shoulders: Relax naturally and balanced, without tilting on one side.- Arms: Keep them slightly away from the torso, not pressed against the sides.- Head: Incline slightly forward, without tilting or turning to either side.b. Full Awareness and Sensation of the Whole BodyThe mind must always turn inward to be aware of the entire body, from the head down to the limbs. The practitioner checks whether the posture is correct: Is the back slouching? Are the shoulders uneven? Is the head tilted? Are the hands in proper form? Are the arms pressed too close to the sides? Are the eyes directed correctly? Is the body leaning forward or backward?Maintain constant mindfulness, knowing the whole body and relaxing it. If any deviation in posture is detected, adjust it back to the correct posture.c. Keeping the Body Soft and MotionlessAlong with being fully aware of the entire body, gently relax the body, keeping it soft and still.First, check the overall posture. Then examine more subtly, see if any part is tense or fidgeting.#Buddhism, #Meditation, #Enlightenment, #TheLawofKarma, #Blessing, #Goodblessing, #JannaMonastery, #JannaOrderMonastery,

Preparation before practicing Meditation
- Spread a meditation mat on a flat surface, larger than the sitting area. A thick cloth, mat, or thin cushion may be used to insulate against dampness, preserve bodily warmth, and reduce discomfort.
- Avoid wearing tight or informal clothing. When in the main hall or a sacred place, wear a robe.
- Choose a location with moderate lighting, neither too bright nor too dim.
- Avoid sitting where wind blows directly on the neck or back.
- A quiet space is always best to enhance concentration. In noisy surroundings, the mind is easily disturbed, making meditation practice difficult.
- Daily practice is ideal; if a fixed time is not possible, choose any suitable hour.
- Do not meditate immediately after a meal.
- Avoid displaying or boasting about your meditation practice, as it can diminish your progress. Select a secluded place, free from observation, unless meditating in a group setting.
PART II. METHOD
Meditation involves both techniques and contemplation. Practitioners should proceed in the following order:
1. Before the Meditation session
1.1. Bow to the Buddha three times with absolute reverence
1.2. Sit in the full lotus posture
Place the left foot on the right thigh, then place the right foot on the left thigh. The soles of the feet should rest in a balanced position, neither too close nor too far from the hips.
#Religions, #Buddhism, #Meditation, #Questionandanswers, #Religious, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Enlightement, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #BuddhismforBeginners, #Janna #Monastery, #JannaOrderMonastery, #PRACTICE, #GUIDE, #LAYPRACTITIONERS, #DialogueBuddhismReligions

A PROPER WAY TO MEDITATE

Ep 2: FUNDAMENTAL FACTORS SUPPORTING MEDITATION PRACTICE

Regarding The Foundational Basis of Meditation

As meditation belongs to the advanced stage of cultivation,a strong foundation is essential for effective results: profound Morality,abundant Merit, and robust Physical vitality.

Morality means inner purity and nobility ofcharacter, expressed through qualities such as kindness, selflessness,generosity, courage, etc. Among these, three qualities are of paramountimportance: absolute reverence for the Buddha, boundless compassion for allbeings, and the deepest humility.

The Buddha is the supreme Sage. One who has absolutereverence for the Buddha plants the seed of sainthood in the mind and will beblessed by all Buddhas. He will be guided to understand the true Dharma and toovercome obstacles in meditation.

Compassion is cultivated through the aspiration to love allbeings and expressed in a life of service, sacrifice, and tireless assistanceto others.

Humility prevents conceit and enables the practitioner towalk steadily on the path of enlightenment. These three virtues (absolutereverence for the Buddha, boundless compassion for all beings, and the deepesthumility) form the root of countless other qualities, contributing a vast storeof merit for one’s spiritual journey.

Merit is the fruit of actions that bring happiness,ethics and goodness to others. Meditation requires an immeasurable amount ofmerit; hence, practitioners must continuously accumulate it by doing somethingbeneficial for others every day.

Physical vitality (qìgōng or energy training) helpsconcentrate energy downward and stabilize brain activity. Therefore,practitioners should train properly to increase inner strength, which in turnsupports meditation practice.

#Religions, #Buddhism, #DialogueBuddhismReligions, #Religious, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Meditation, #Enlightement, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #BuddhismforBeginners, #Janna, #JannaOrderMonastery

A PROPER WAY TO MEDITATE

Episode 1:

The supreme objective of Buddhist meditation is to realizenon-ego, achieve liberation, and reach Nirvana. The Buddha himself attainedperfect awakening through meditation.

Meditation is a practice that gathers and settles the mind,bringing it into a state of stillness and clarity, free from wandering thoughtsand emotions.

Most importantly, meditation helps us dissolve the ego andignorance and attain true liberation and enlightenment.

This method leads to both near and distant goals, lower andhigher aims. The nearer and lower aim is to establish an inner state of ease,relaxation, and peace. The higher and more distant aim is to develop spiritualcapacities, and ultimately, to reach the Buddhist ideal of enlightenment andthe realization of non-ego.

Because of these profound benefits, we have created thismeditation guide based on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness from the earlyBuddhist teachings, with non-ego as our ultimate goal.

This guide is designed to help meditation instructors leadpractitioners on the correct path, achieve real results, and avoid any negativeside effects.

May all practitioners cultivate diligently, grow in merit,attain inner peace, and walk together on the path toward liberation andenlightenment, reaching the fullness of its fruits.

Homage to our original teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha.

#Religions, #Buddhism, #DialogueBuddhismReligions, #Religious, #Buddhist, #Truedharma, #Meditation, #Enlightement, #Buddhatemple, #TheLawofKarma, #BuddhismforBeginners, #Janna, #JannaOrderMonastery