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Theory, Components and Practice Across Traditions. This book offers a comprehensive account of Buddhist meditation, tracing its historical development, doctrinal foundations, and practical applications across the Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna traditions. Beginning with the life and enlightenment of the Buddha, it examines key philosophical principles, including the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, the concepts of Dhamma and Nibbana, and the formation of the Buddhist Sangha. Drawing on primary canonical sources and contemporary scholarship, the book critically analyses key meditative practices across the three major traditions of Buddhism in order to foster a broader understanding and overcome sectarian perspectives. It also discusses how Śamatha and Vipassană function as foundational practices within all these traditions. Further, the text reflects on Buddhist meditation in the modern context, examining the challenges it faced in gaining recognition during India's struggle for Independence and how, in recent years, its applications have increasingly been incorporated into modern scientific discourse. Designed for students, scholars, and practitioners alike, this text seeks to bridge classical Buddhist thought with contemporary contemplative inquiry, offering both theoretical depth and practical clarity.
About the Book
This book offers a comprehensive account of Buddhist meditation, tracing its historical development, doctrinal foundations, and practical applications across the Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna traditions. Beginning with the life and enlightenment of the Buddha, it examines the philosophical principles, including the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, the concepts of Dhamma, Nibbana, and the formation of the Buddhist Sangha. Drawing on primary canonical sources and contemporary scholarship, the book exclusively analyses key meditative practices across the three major traditions of Buddhism to gain a broader understanding and to overcome sectarian views. The book also discussed how Śamatha and Vipassanā serve as foundational practices in all these traditions. Further, the text reflects on Buddhist meditation in the modern context, how it struggled to gain a position during India's Independence, and how, in recent years, its application has been incorporated into modern scientific discourse. Designed for students, scholars, and practitioners alike, this text attempts to bridge classical Buddhist thought with present-day contemplative inquiry, offering both theoretical depth and practical clarity.
About the Author
Dr. Sonam Lamo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Buddhist Studies at Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda, where she teaches Buddhist Philosophy, History, and Buddhist Meditation. Deeply rooted in both textual study and contemplative traditions, her academic work reflects a sustained engagement with the theory and practice of Buddhist meditation. Dr. Lamo pursued her initial education in her native birthplace, Ladakh, a region shaped by centuries of Buddhist cultural and spiritual heritage. Thereafter, she moved to Jammu and pursued her Master's and Ph.D. degrees from the Department of Buddhist Studies at the University of Jammu. Her research focuses primarily on Buddhist Philosophy and Buddhist Meditation, including the Samatha and Vipassanā meditation, exploring their doctrinal foundations, historical development, and practical relevance across Buddhist traditions. Dr. Lamo has actively participated in several national and international conferences and has authored numerous research articles in Buddhist Studies. Her recent publications include "Types of Adherences as Enumerated in the Digha Nikāya" (2023) and "Revisiting the Sacred Stories of Gurpa: A Buddhist Site in Bihar" (2024).
Foreword
Meditation has been regarded as one of the most profound endeavors of human civilization. The meditative practice rooted in the Buddha's teachings has evolved over time and across regions, giving rise to diverse methods, interpretations, and applications within different Buddhist traditions. In recent decades, these practices have also attracted widespread attention, particularly from the scientific community. Meditation is also applied as a vital human practice relevant to the mental health and physical well-being of all, irrespective of religion. The present book, titled 'Buddhist Meditation: Theory, Components, and Practice Across Traditions', offers a contextual development of meditation practice in Buddhism by examining its historical roots, doctrinal foundations, and practical dimensions. The author draws upon both classical sources and modern scholarly studies, thereby presenting a balanced account of meditation practices in three major Buddhist traditions: the Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna.
Preface
This book has been designed to provide a comprehensive guide on meditation as practiced across various Buddhist traditions. The core teachings of Gautama Buddha emphasize the cultivation and transformation of the mind and body rather than reliance on external rituals or adornments. The Buddha himself renounced dependence on external forms, recognizing that attachment to material possessions and reliance on outward practices often lead to further suffering rather than liberation. The Buddha dwelled in forests and subsisted on minimal material needs, a way of life that enabled him to turn inward and awaken to his true nature, described as Bodhi, or enlightenment. Meditation techniques are elaborately discussed in numerous classical Buddhist texts. However, the complexity of such works and their highly technical terminology often make them difficult for contemporary readers, particularly younger generations, to fully comprehend. Moreover, many works on meditation tend to focus on a single method confined to a particular Buddhist tradition.
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