「人間佛教禪法」之實踐 -- 以「結期精進禪觀」教學為例=The Practice of Meditation in Humanism-Oriented Buddhism : using the Instruction in "the Samatha & Vipassana Meditation Retreat for Intensive Training" as an Example
作者為中央大學哲學研究所博士生、東吳大學哲學系兼任講師=Ph.D. student in philosophy department at National Central University, also a part-time instructor at Soochow University
關鍵詞
結期精進=Meditation retreat for intensive training; 日常禪觀=Mpractice in ordinary life; 五門禪=Five methods for stilling the mind; 安般念=Anapana-smrti; 界分別念=Dhatu-prabheda-smrti; 慈心念=Maitri-smrti; 普遍性=Universality
The purpose of this article is to expound the rationale and contents of practicing meditation in accord with the idea of Humanism-oriented Buddhism. Moreover, the instruction in ”the Samatha(concentration) and Vipassana(insight) meditation retreat for intensive training” is used as an example to illustrate some related issues given below. Practicing meditation can purify the mind of emotional turbulence and foster deep calm, eventually leading to the experience of samadhi. Then, with the abiding mind, we can produce the ability both to undertake and to accomplish what needs to be done. Therefore, in order to develop one’s capabilities to help others, those who practice the Bodhisattva deeds also value mediation highly and view it as one of the foundational practices of Buddhism. As the essential aspect of practicing the Buddha Dharma in Mahayana tradition (the Dharma of the Great Vehicle), the meditation methods of Humanism-oriented Buddhism are not only compatible with those of Hinayana teachings (the Sravaka Vehicle)in terms of basic skills, but also blend well with the fundamental principles of the Buddhist meditative path stated in the Mahayana Sutra. With respect to the style of practicing meditation, it can be classified into two types: one is “the meditation retreat for intensive training”, and the other is “meditation practice in ordinary life”. The former is for the benefit of oneself, whereas the latter is for the benefit of others. Practitioners can choose either of them according to one’s needs in different learning stages. However, one should not merely emphasize on one type at the cost of the other. Instead, both types should work together in the long run. This article narrows the focus to the instruction in “the meditation retreat for intensive training”, especially the seven-day Samatha and Vipassana meditation retreat. Moreover, serving as the rationale for choosing meditation objects, the universality of the Buddha’s teaching is analyzed based on the Five Methods for stilling the Mind─one of the most classic formulations of the meditative path in Buddhism. Among these five methods, three of them are taught in this intensive meditation course, namely, anapana-smrti (meditation on the breath), dhatu-prabheda-smtri (meditation on the four elements) and maitri-smrti (meditation on the loving-kindness). Anapana-smrti and dhatu-prabhedasmtri are two primary techniques for developing samadhi and wisdom in Buddhism explained in Agama Sutra, and the major methods of practice in Sravaka tradition as well. As the way of practicing the Mahayana Dharma, the practice of meditation in Humanism-oriented Buddhism is defined by two key attributes: (1) protecting sentient beings with mindfulness; (2) being beneficial to others. Because of this, maitri-smrti─one of the four boundless mentalities (S. apramana-citta) ─ is also taught during retreat period. Moreover, the practitioners are encouraged to resolve to attain the bodhi mind and to practice the Bodhisattva deeds. Although the Mahayana practitioners may go into meditation retreats of various durations for intensive training, they still consider serving sentient beings as their ultimate end. Thus, relying on the abiding mind and the insight of emptiness acquired by diligent practice in meditation work, the Bodhisattva way disciples must show mercy to those in distress and take action to relieve their sufferings. In so doing, the four afflicti
