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| What is meditation? It is
a word popularly used to translate the Pali word
samadhi. Many Buddhist scholars consider
the translation unsatisfactory. Because whereas
"meditation" means "the action
or practice of profound spiritual or religious
reflection or mental contemplation", samadhi
is the concentration of mind on a certain object.
The former is a continuous process, while the
latter is a static state of mind. In the Thai-English
Buddhist Dictionary compiled by the Venerable
Prayudh Payutto, the Pali term is translated as
"concentration; one-pointedness of mind;
mental discipline". In some other authoritative
publications, it is translated as "mental
collectedness" or simply "collectedness". |
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However, since
"meditation" has become widely accepted
in the English-speaking world as a ready-made
translation of the term, we may as well accept
it as a fait accompli. What is important is, we
should have a true understanding of the word and
not be misled by such mistaken notions as the
following:
First, meditation is not "doing nothing".
One who sits idly and soon goes asleep is not
practising meditation. He just has a rest. Second,
it is not "going into flights or fancy".
One who sits and indulges in foolish fancies is
going astray and he just wastes his time. Third,
it is not "making the mind blank". The
successful meditator always has one object in
mind. Fourth, it is not "auto-hypnosis".
One in a hypnotic state is like a dreamer who
has no mindfulness. Fifth, it is no discursive
prayer. The constant stream of words should be
eliminated, rather than encouraged. In a word,
meditation means the concentration of mind on
a certain object, such as a Buddha image. |
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| After understanding the true
meaning of meditation, we may want to know what
good it can do to us. Above all, it is the right
way leading us to Enlightenment, to Nirvana, to
Eternal Bliss. Allow me to quote the words of
Bhikkhu Khantipalo, an Englishman who is a Buddhist
monk and has written and translated several books
on Buddhism: |
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| "The ordinary man's mind
may be compared to a pond of muddy water ruffled
unceasingly by a strong wind. When one enters
a state of collectedness and the senses are withdrawn
from their objects, the wind of desire is stilled.
When this happens, the ripples of hindrances cease
to disturb the mind. The mind is now like a calm
but still muddy pond. This condition does, however,
give one a chance to develop Wisdom and this quality
is like alum crystals which will clear the pool,
making it pellucid, so that even the smallest
objects upon its bottom may be seen in every detail.
For this reason ultimately, collectedness is practised,
as Wisdom is the key to Enlightenment." |
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Of course, not
every person practising collectedness, or "meditation"
as commonly known, can gain enough Wisdom and
reach the stage of Enlightenment and Nirvana.
But at least one can hope to calm one's mind and
avoid outside disturbances. This will do a lot
of good to one's health and will help one work
or study with greater efficiency.
It is in order to bring peace to their lives that
in the past quarter of century more and more foreigners
have turned toward Buddhism and come to Thailand
to look for ways to achieve their purposes. They
have chosen Thailand because Thailand is a Buddhist
land which supports and encourages the study and
practice of Buddhism and which is equipped with
recognized masters and suitable places to provide
training and guidance for foreign learners. However,
the huge number of Buddhist monasteries in this
country may leave these spiritual seekers confused
as to which are the ideal places to go for study
and practice of meditation.
To help them solve the problem, Thaiways
has collected some latest information about the
subject and selected the following monasteries
as the best choices. They are distributed all
over the country. Those in Bangkok, though convenient
to most people, may be found crowded and lacking
in tranquility. In contrast, those in the countryside
are generally quieter, though not so easily accessible.
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| As mentioned
above, the information given below is up to date.
But since everything keeps changing in this world,
it is advisable for those interested to make a
phone call to the monastery concerned for a check
first before taking action. They may also contact |
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The
World Fellowship of Buddhists
616 Benjasiri Park, Soi Medhinivet off
Soi Sukhumvit 24, Sukhumvit Road,
Bangkok 10110, Thailand.
Tel: 0 2661 1284-87
Fax: + 66 (0) 2661 0555
E-mail: wfb_hq@asianet.co.th
www.wfb-hq.org
for more information |
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RECOMMENDED
PLACES FOR LEARNING MEDITATION
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1. Wat Maha That Phra Chan Rd., between
Thammasat University and Silpakorn University,
Bangkok 10200.
Tel: 0 2222 6011, 0 2222 4981, 0 2222 2835
2. Wat Bowonniwet
248 Phra Sumane Rd., Banglamphu, Bangkok 10200.
Tel: 0 2280 0869, 0 2281 2831-3
3. Wat Pak
Nam Thoet Thai Rd., Khlong Phasi Charoen,
Bangkok 10160.
Tel: 0 2467 0811
4. Wat Phra
Thammakai Khlong Sam, Khlong Luang, Pathum
Thani 12120. About 40 km north of Bangkok.
Tel: 0 2516 9003-09
5. Wat Asokaram
Sukhumwit Rd., Samut Prakan
10280. About 32 km south of
Bangkok. Tel: 0 2395 0003
6. Wat Sai Nham Tambon
Donmasang,
Amphoe Muang, Suphan Buri 72000.
About 100 km northwest of Bangkok.
Tel: 0 3552 2005
7. Wat Luang Pho Sohd
Dhammakayaram Amphoe Damnoen Saduak, Ratchaburi
70130. 94 km southwest of Bangkok. Tel: 0 3225
4650
8. Wat Wa Phu Kaeo Tambon
Makluwamai, Amphoe Sungnoen, Nakhon Ratchasima
30140. 230 km northeast of Bangkok.
9. Wat Pa Nanachat
Ban Bung Wai, Amphoe Warin, Ubon Ratchathani
34310. About 600 km northeast of Bangkok.
10. Wat Nong Pa Phong
Non Pueng, Ban Ko, Amphoe Warin, Ubon Ratchathani
34190. 12 km southeast of Ubon Ratchathani.
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11. Wat Pa Wanaphothiyan Tambon Nikhom#1,
Amphoe Phibun Mangsahan, Ubon Ratchathani 34110.
About 70 km east of Ubon Ratchathani.
12. Wat Doi Thamma Chedi Tambon Thong
Khop, King-Amphoe Khok Si Suphan, Sakon Nakhon
47280. 676 km northeast of Bangkok.
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13. Wat Pa Ban Tat c/o
Songserm Service, 89 Phosi Rd., Udon Thani 41000.
564 km northeast of Bangkok.
14. Wat Hin Mak Peng Tambon Phra Phutthabat,
Amphoe Si Chiangmai, Nong Khai 43130. 655 km
northeast of Bangkok. Tel: 0 4245 1110
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15. Wat Umong (Suan Buddha Dhamma) Tambon
Suthep, Amphoe Muang, Chiang Mai 50600. About
700 km north of Bangkok. Tel: 0 5327 7248 (8:30
a.m.-4:00 p.m.)
16. Wat Ram Poeng Tambon Suthep, Amphoe
Muang, Chiang Mai 50000. 4 km southwest of Chiang
Mai. Tel: 0 5327 8620
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The Mental Development Centre
in
Honour of His Majesty the King, Phuket
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17. Suan Mokkh or Suan Mokkhabalarama
Amphoe Chaiya, Surat Thani 84110. About 640
km south of Bangkok on the Asian Highway.
18. Wat Khao Tham Ko Pha-ngan, Surat
Thani 84280. North of Ko Samui in the Gulf of
Thailand.
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19. Wat Tham Sua Krabi Province (From
Krabi town go north 6 km to the Talat Kao junction,
east 8 km on Highway 4, then 2 km north to the
wat).
20. The Mental Development Centre in Honour
of His Majesty the King Mu 1 Tambon Karon,
Amphoe Muang, Phuket. Tel: 0 1537 2829, 0 1891
8211. Foreigners please contact through
E-mail: jsabhasri@yahoo.com.
Special thanks to The Mental Development Centre
in Honour of His Majesty the King, Phuket, for
allowing Thaiways to take photographs. |
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