Meditation Without Stages: A Study on the Concept of Directedness in Mahāyāna Buddhism
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Meditation gives the basic criteria or circumstances which meditation can be developed
from, and without them there is no opportunity for any progress. The second phase is the
meditative path itself which usually includes successive stages, and might vary according
to the type of meditation. And fi nally, the result or fruit of meditation is the achievement
of the process, and it does not necessarily mean enlightenment itself, but the realization of
the aim of the given meditation.
Undoubtedly, the scheme mentioned above is underlined on the general rules of
logic, and might present a habitual idea about one of the basic types of meditation which
is suitable for being named as ‘meditation with stages’. In spite of this familiar pattern,
among some Buddhist lineages, particularly in Mahāyāna Zen or Tibetan Buddhist schools,
one could encounter the term ‘meditation without stages’, which might require a different
line of thought.
Article Details
Views and opinions expressed in the articles published by The Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Universities (JIABU), are of responsibility by such authors but not the editors and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors.
References
tr. by Narada Mahathera. Sri Lanka: Power Press, 1993.
Alan Watts, The Way of Zen. New York: Vintage Books, 1985.
Badantāchariya Buddhaghosa, Vissudhimagga, the Path of Purifi cation, the Classic Manual
of Buddhist Doctrine and Meditation, tr. by Bhikkhu Ňāṇamoli, Kandy: Buddhist
Publication Society, 1980.
Choegyal Namkhai Norbu, Dzogchen and Zen. California: Zhang Zhung Editions, 1984.
. Dzogchen, The Self-Perfected State. New York: Snow Lion Publications, 1996.
. The Crystal and Ways of Light. London: Penguin Books, 1986.
Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, The Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen. Hong Kong: Rangjung
Yeshe Publivations, 1989.
Daniel Cozort, Highest Yoga Tantra. New York: Snow Lion Publication, 1986.
Daniel Goleman, The Buddha on Meditation and Higher States of Consciousness. Sri Lanka:
Buddhist Publication Society, 1980.
Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki, An introduction to Zen Buddhism. New York: Growe Press, 1964.
. Essays in Zen Buddhism. London: Luzac and Company, 1927.
. Manual of Zen Buddhism. New York: Grove Press, 1960.
Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, The Practice of Mahamudra. New York: Snow Lion
Publications, 1986.
Dzogchen Ponlop, Wild Awakening, The Heart of Mahamudra and Dzogchen. London:
Shambala Publications, 2003.
Eye of the Storm, Vairotsana’s Five Original Transmissions, tr. by Keith Dowman. Kathmandu,
Vajra Publications, 2006.
Eduard Conze, Buddhism, A Short History. Oxford: Oneworld Publications, 2008.
. Buddhist Thought in India, Three Phases of Buddhist Philosophy. New Delhi:
Munishiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd. 1996.
Eugen Herrigel, The Method of Zen. London: Penguin Books, 1988.
“Flight of Garuda”, A Complete Explanation of Thorough Cut by Zhabkar, tr. by Tony
Duff, Kathmandu: Padma Karpo Translation Committee, 2011.
The Third Jamgön Kongtrül, Cloudless Sky, The Mahamudra Path of the Tibetan Kagyü
Buddhist School. Boston: Shambala Publications, 1992.
Tsele Natsok Rangdröl, Lamp of Mahamudra, The Immaculate Lamp That Perfectly and
Fully Illuminates The Meaning of Mahamudra, The Essence of All Phenomena.
Massachusetts: Shambala Publications, 1989.
Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Venerable Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal
Rinpoche, Lion’s Gaze, A commentary on Tsig Sum Nedek, Florida: Sky Dancer
Press, 1998.
Venerable Matara Sri Ňāṇārāma Mahāthera, The Seven Stages of Purification, Kandy:
Buddhist Publication Society, 1993.
Venerable Nyanaponika Thera, Abhidhamma studies, Buddhist explorations of Consciousness
and Time, Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society, 1980.
Walpola Rahula, What the Buddha Taught. New York: Grove Press, 1959.
Winston L. King, Theravāda Meditation: The Buddhist Transformation of Yoga, Delhi:
Motilal Banarsidass, 1992.