Bhavana for the mind: Full of confidence

- Part 06

Battaramulla
Siri Sudassanarama
sadaham senasuna
Ven. Dr. Mirisse Dhammika thero

Breathing Bhavana

“Ana” means intake of air, “Apana” means exhalation. Anapana Sathi (breathing) Bhavana is the effort to establish Samadhi on breathing.

This Bhavana can be done in different ways.

Here I wish to explain a method I think is more appropriate. Please read it carefully. Fist Step: While breathing naturally, the mind needs to be focused at the tip of the nose where one feels sensation of air touching the nose. Make a mental count “one, one, one…” on each inhalation until its end. After mindful exhalation one begins the second inhalation. Whether to go by inhalation or exhalation is the meditator’s choice. The second inhalation or exhalation may be mentally counted as “two, two, two…”. Similarly one may attempt to keep the focus of the mind up to count “five’. A meditator may begin the 2 nd round from one to six breathings; the 3 rd round from one to seven breathings; the 4 th round from one to eight breathings; the 5 th round from one to nine breathings and the 6 th round from one to ten breathings. One may not attempt beyond 10.

In the 2 nd step, a meditator may attempt to breathe naturally but consciously and keep mental counts from breathing in descending order which goes from nine to one and restrict counts down to five. One may not descend less than five.

This method of breathing bhavana enhances the development of thinking and enables one to carry out tasks methodically. One may find enthusiasm and courage in this process. Moreover, it enables one to realize and understand the true nature of the world and its co-existence by recognizing its delusional appearance.

Bhavana for the Mind Full of Faith

One who has faith, prefers to associate individuals with virtues and has a high degree of faith in the dhamma. Such a person always enjoys generosity and tries to lead a virtuous life. Therefore, one who is full of faith may try to develop the bhavana on the qualities of the Buddha. By forcing the mind on the qualities of the Great Teacher, one is able to establish Samadhi which is not be misunderstood as worship. This is merely a focus of the mind on the supreme qualities of the Great Teacher who rediscovered the phenomena of the dhamma and taught the mankind the four noble truths including the attainment of nirvana. A meditator doesn’t focus the mind on the physical qualities of the Buddha

but His virtues. One can incorporate these qualities in one’s life. When one with a faithful mind does bhavana on Buddha’s qualities, one will not only achieve Samadhi, but also enjoy the mental happiness and rapture, minimizing the unwholesome activities caused by mind, body and words.

Bhavana on Buddha’s Qualities

Buddha’s life is a mirror of the dhamma He uncovered. For easy understanding His qualities can be placed into 9 groups. The focus of the mind into each of those qualities is recommended in the method of bhavana.

* Arahang. The Buddha freed Himself of all defilements. He never committed any act even in secrecy. Thus, He is worthy of respect from all divine, human and other beings.

* Samma Sambuddha: He realized the Dhamma without any external help. This means the realization of the 4 noble truths.

* Vijjacharana Sampanno: Buddha is called vijjacharana sampanno because of His incomparable wisdom.

* Sugatho: He attained Nirvana through the noble eightfold path.

* Lokavidu. He realized the true nature of the universal phenomena.

*  Anutharo Purusadhamma Sarathi: He reached out to those who were unreachable with mettha and loving kindness and helped them back to the main stream of society.

* Sattha Deva-manusanang: He taught all beings about life, death and beyond, to attain nirvana. He is the greatest being of all beings in realms of existence.

*  Buddha: He is called the Buddha because he realized the Dhamma for the benefit of Himself and for all other beings.

* Bhagava: He is called bhagava because He became rid of all attachments and brought the unending cycle of births and rebirths to an end.