Wednesday, November 12, 2008

The Five Classifications of Meditation



The major classifications of meditative practices as set forth by Zen Master Kueifeng Zhongmi (780-841). Kueifeng fashi trained in Chán under a disciple of the Sixth Patriarch known as Chán Master Heze Shenhui (686-760). Although Master Kueifeng is known for many of his Chán dissertations, he is most famous for his place, as the Fifth Ancestor, of the Chinese Avatamsaka (Hwayen) School of Buddhism. As a school within the Jögye Order of Korean Buddhism, the Hwaom School still exists today.

1. Outer Path (Exoteric) Meditation These types of practice originally pointed to the Daoist practices of developing supernatural powers and abilities as well as the Yogic practices of the time. These practices are religiously motivated but are grounded in some attainment other than the self, i.e.: attaining God or becoming immortal.

2. Goal Directed (Esoteric) Meditation These types of meditation practice have no religious motivations. The are normally practiced for the improvement of mental states or for bodily health.

3. Insight (Vipassana) Meditation This type of practice leads to a state of deep ‘no-mind’ where all sense perceptions are cut off and consciousness is discontinued. If one remains in this state of ‘no-mind’ until death there is no rebirth and a separation from samsara is attained. However, because this practice is motivated by the attainment of ones own inner peace it is not considered part of the great Bodhisattva way.

4. Great Vehicle (Mahayana) Meditation This type of practice leads to self realization and the actualization of the Great Way within the context of our daily lives. Since this realization is that there is no self or other, one then adopts the Bodhisattva’s vow to save all beings through the natural unfolding of events.

5. Supreme Vehicle Meditation This type of practice results in the path and the way fusing into one. Not so much about ‘attainment’ but realization that it is already apparent that Buddha nature is immanent already in all beings.

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11 Comments:

Blogger Uku said...

Paul, thank you for this. Very interesting!

November 12, 2008 at 12:45 PM  
Blogger Wonji Dharma said...

Just sharing the collective consciousness.

November 12, 2008 at 2:57 PM  
Blogger Mini Me said...

Very interesting. I have never heard of meditation described quite like that. I'm not sure I totally "get" #4, I'll have to read up on that one a little bit more. Very educational as usual- thanks!

November 12, 2008 at 8:46 PM  
Blogger Wonji Dharma said...

Seeker, number four could be compared to the path that Mother Therasa took, a selfless bodhisattva of compassion.

November 12, 2008 at 9:06 PM  
Blogger Wonji Dharma said...

Oh, by the way, you are welcome. Just trying to share my discoveries with interested people.

November 12, 2008 at 9:36 PM  
Blogger Harry said...

Hi, Dochong.

Interesting stuff. Does it seem to you that the average Zen practitioner probably traverses, or hops between, two or three of these classifications in any one sitting (regardless of what we *think* we are doing!)?

Thanks & Regards,

Harry.

November 13, 2008 at 5:22 AM  
Blogger Wonji Dharma said...

Hi Harry,

It may be that a practitioner's mind is wandering about on the path, as is the case with most human beings. However, this explanation was meant to describe the 'intention' of the meditation practice as performed by various groups, and it still applies today to the variety of practices available.

November 13, 2008 at 2:15 PM  
Blogger Barry said...

Paul, which of these is the best path?

Barry

November 13, 2008 at 4:26 PM  
Blogger Wonji Dharma said...

Barry asked me which one was the best path?

There is no best nor is there a path.

Thank you for your query.

November 13, 2008 at 9:50 PM  
Blogger Barry said...

Oh, you mean I'm stuck with THIS??

November 14, 2008 at 7:47 AM  
Blogger Wonji Dharma said...

Stuck?

mmm....

I think you are playing with me!

KATZ

HA HA HA HA HA HA

dae an, dae an, dae an........

November 14, 2008 at 8:54 PM  

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