What is Meditation?
Meditation is at the heart of the Buddhist way
of life. It is basically a method for understanding and working
on our own mind. We first learn to identify our different negative
mental states known as ‘delusions’, and learn how to develop
peaceful and positive mental states or ‘virtuous minds’.
Then in meditation we overcome our delusions by
becoming familiar with virtuous minds. Out of meditation we try
to maintain the virtuous minds we have developed and use our wisdom
to solve the problems of daily life.
As our mind becomes more positive our actions become
more constructive, and our experience of life becomes more satisfying
and beneficial to others.
Anyone can learn basic meditation techniques and
experience great benefits, but to progress beyond basic meditation
requires faith in the Three Jewels – Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Usually people find this develops naturally as they experience the
benefits of their meditation practice.
The spiritual path
The teachings of Buddha reveal a step by step path
to lasting happiness. By following this path anyone can gradually
transform his or her mind from its present confused and self-centred
state into the blissful mind of a Buddha.
As Geshe Kelsang says in his popular book 'Eight
Steps to Happiness':
“Every living being has
the potential to become a Buddha, someone who has completely purified
his or her mind of all faults and limitations and has brought
all good qualities to perfection. Our mind is like a cloudy sky,
in essence clear and pure but overcast by the clouds of delusions.
Just as the thickest clouds
eventually disperse, so too even the heaviest delusions can be
removed from our mind. Delusions such as hatred, greed, and ignorance
are not an intrinsic part of the mind. If we apply the appropriate
methods they can be completely eliminated, and we shall experience
the supreme happiness of full enlightenment.”
Having attained enlightenment we shall have all
the necessary qualities – universal love and compassion, omniscient
wisdom and boundless spiritual power - to lead all living beings
to the same exalted state. This is the ultimate aim of Mahayana
Buddhism.
To find out more about basic Buddhism, read 'Introduction
to Buddhism' by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.
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Meditation FAQs
 Below
are some frequently asked questions and answers. If your question
is not answered here, please use the link on the right and contact
us directly! We will continue to add to this list in the future.
What relevance does Buddhism have to Lancaster today?
Although Buddhism first
appeared in India over two and a half thousand years ago, it has
a timeless and universal relevance. In a nutshell, Buddha explained
that all our problems arise from confused and negative states
of mind. He taught methods for ridding the mind of these destructive
states and thereby realising true happiness and fulfilment. These
methods work for any mind, in any country, in any age.
Is there just one Buddha, or can anyone become a Buddha?
Normally when we talk about
'Buddha' we are referring to Buddha Shakyamuni, who appeared in
this world over two and a half thousand years ago and revealed
how to attain enlightenment.
He showed that the potential
for developing the mind is infinite, and that following a true
spiritual path leads eventually to a fully realised state of enlightenment,
or Buddhahood. In this state all negativity has ceased and the
mind abides eternally in an equipoise of perfect wisdom and compassion.
Everyone has the potential to become enlightened – we all
have Buddha nature.
Once our Buddha nature
is awakened through meditation and other practices, we commit
to attaining enlightenment for the sake of all living beings and
become a Bodhisattva. If we then follow the Bodhisattva path conscientiously
we will eventually become a Buddha.
Countless beings
have already attained enlightenment and become Buddhas.
Who do Buddhists worship, and why?
Buddhists regard all Buddhas
and Bodhisattvas as perfect guides and role models, and as such
naturally develop faith in them and rely upon them as Spiritual
Guides.
As a meditator approaches,
and eventually attains, enlightenment he or she develops extraordinary
mental powers. These include the ability to bless receptive minds
with powerful transforming energy that greatly accelerates the
process of mental development. For this reason, Buddhists try
through meditation, prayer, and various ritual practices to communicate
with enlightened beings and receive their transforming blessings.
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