Lesson video

Hello, my name's Miss Ramalli, and welcome to today's RE lesson, which forms part of our unit on Buddhism practises.

In today's lesson, we are going to be exploring the method of meditation called samatha meditation.

Okay, let's begin.

Today's lesson outcome is "I can explain the nature, purpose, and significance of meditation, including samatha meditation, for Buddhists today." To help guide us through today's lesson, there are three keywords: meditation, mindfulness of breathing, and samatha.

Meditation is a spiritual experience that opens a person up to the highest state of consciousness.

Mindfulness of breathing is a form of meditation found in Theravada, Zen, and Tibetan Buddhism, which focuses on the practise of breathing.

And samatha is a method of meditation, or known as a state of calmness.

Today's lesson on samatha meditation takes two parts.

First of all, we are going to explore meditation and the nature, purpose, and significance, and then move on to samatha meditation, exploring the nature, purpose, and significance.

Okay, let's begin today's lesson.

Meditation is a spiritual experience that opens a person up to the highest state of consciousness.

It was the method used by the Buddha to achieve enlightenment.

It is one of the Mahayana six perfections and is part of the Eightfold Path.

Meditation is a significant spiritual practise in Buddhism.

The main purposes include: developing a still, calm and focused mind, and developing greater wisdom and understanding of the Buddha's Dhamma and teachings, for example, the Eightfold Path.

This reduces dukkha and eventually leads to enlightenment.

Let's complete a check for understanding.

Select three purposes of meditation in Buddhism.

A: to reduce suffering, which leads to enlightenment.

B: to develop greater wisdom and understanding of the Buddha's Dhamma.

C: to develop a still, calm and focused mind, or D: to worship God.

Remember, for this check for understanding, you're selecting three answers.

Good luck.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to see the correct answers.

Well done if you selected A, B, and C.

The purposes of meditation in Buddhism are to reduce suffering, which leads to enlightenment to develop greater wisdom and understanding of the Buddha's Dhamma and to develop a still, calm and focused mind.

Laura wants to learn more about Buddhist attitudes towards non-Buddhist who meditate.

She interviews Katrina, a Mahayana Buddhist.

Laura says, "My mum attends meditation classes, but she does not have a Buddhist worldview.

Is that okay, Katrina?" Katrina says, "Yes, I have many friends who are non Buddhists but also participate in meditation.

Many non Buddhists might meditate because they view it as a method to reduce stress, increase focus, and improve their ability to regulate emotions." A survey conducted in 2022 in South East Asian countries asked Buddhists about their views on non-Buddhists participating in certain activities related to Buddhism.

The result shows this: The percentage of Buddhists in each country who say it is appropriate for non Buddhists from other countries to participate in Buddhist practises such as meditation and chanting.

So here from the data, we can see that 91% of participants in Cambodia, 93% of participants in Sri Lanka and 90% of participants in Thailand all said it is appropriate for non Buddhists to participate in Buddhist practises such as meditation and chanting.

Right.

Now, it's time to hand over to you.

According to the data, how do many Buddhists view non-Buddhists participating in meditation? Pause the video here and either on your own, take some time to reflect or discuss with your partner the question and then press play when you're ready to move on with the lesson.

Laura asks, "How does meditation benefit you, Katrina?" Katrina says, "As a Buddhist, I receive lots of benefits from meditation.

One benefit from regular meditation is that it helps me reduce negative emotions such as hatred and anger.

Hatred is one of the three poisons which I want to avoid because it leads to dukkha." True or false? Meditation should only be carried out by Buddhists.

Pause the video, press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you said that statement is false.

According to one survey, many Buddhists believe that it is appropriate for non Buddhists to participate in meditation.

Meditation is also a common practise in Hindu Dharma.

The Buddha talks about the importance of meditation in the Dhammapada.

In Dhammapada verse 282, it says, "Wisdom springs from meditation; without meditation, wisdom wanes.

Having known these two paths of progress and decline, let a man so conduct himself that his wisdom may increase." What does this first teach about the significance of meditation? Pause the video here and either speak to me, or with your partner, explain what this first teaches about the significance of meditation.

Press play when you're ready to reflect on your answers.

Okay, welcome back.

So what does this first teach about the significance of meditation? Remember, significance means importance.

Meditation is significant because, if practised regularly, it develops wisdom.

Many Mahayana Buddhists will be guided by the teachings in the Surangama Sutra on meditation.

The Surangama Sutra, suran meaning great, gama, solid or durable.

And sutra, book of teachings.

The Surangama Sutra suggests that without the concentrated state of mind, made possible through a meditation, following the Buddha's Dhamma is meaningless.

Let's pause and complete a check for understanding.

Fill in the missing word from the Buddha's teaching: "Wisdom springs from.

." Pause the video and press play when you're ready to see the correct answer.

Well done if you said that "meditation" was the missing word.

Now we're gonna pause and complete our first practise task for today's lesson.

Here we have the question: Explain two reasons why meditation is significant to Buddhists.

Refer to sacred writings or another source of Buddhist belief and teaching in your answer.

Here is some guidance that you might like to follow when writing your answer to the question.

So the question asks for two reasons.

So here you need to make two points and develop each point.

You also need to name and use a source and explain what it says or what it teaches.

This might be a quotation or a general belief or teaching.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Okay, welcome back, everyone.

Time to check your answers.

So here is a reminder of the question.

Explain two reasons why meditation is significant to Buddhists.

Your answer may look something like this: "One reason meditation is significant to Buddhists is because it develops a calm and focused mind.

Meditation reduces stress and reduces negative emotions such as hatred and anger, which lead to dukkha.

Another reason meditation is significant to Buddhists is because it helps develop wisdom of the Buddha's Dhamma.

In the Dhammapada, it states that 'Wisdom springs from meditation; without meditation, wisdom wanes.

' This teaches Buddhists that it is important to practise meditation regularly." So here you can see we have two points.

Each points have been developed, and in the second paragraph there is a reference to source of wisdom and authority.

In this case, it is the Dhammapada.

The quote that has been used has also been explained and linked back to the question.

Well done on all of your hard work on the first practise task.

Now we're gonna move on to the second part of our lesson on samatha meditation by exploring the nature, purpose, and significance of samatha meditation.

There are several methods of meditation.

Here are some examples: samatha meditation, which focuses on creating a state of calmness; vipassana meditation, which focuses on gaining insight; metta bhavana meditation, which focuses on loving kindness; and zazen meditation, which focuses on the present moment.

Samatha meditation is one of the main methods of meditation.

Samatha meditation, also known as calming meditation, is believed to cultivate deeper concentration.

This method is often used by Theravada Buddhists.

The method often focuses on mindfulness of breathing.

Mindfulness of breathing focuses on the experience of breathing.

Mindfulness means to be aware or focused on a present moment.

This can also involve acknowledging and accepting feelings, thoughts, and sensations in the body.

True or false? Samatha meditation focuses on gaining greater insight.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you said that statement is false.

Samatha meditation focuses on creating a state of calmness.

Thich Nhat Hanh was a very famous Buddhist monk.

According to him, breathing is essential to focus the mind.

He said, "Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts.

Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again." How does this verse link to samatha meditation? Pause the video here and either speak to me or to your partner and discuss the question.

Press play when you're ready to move on with the lesson.

Niti, a Theravada Buddhist monk, explains the nature of samatha meditation for him.

Niti says, "When I practise samatha meditation, I focus on the technique of mindfulness of breath.

This means I am aware or focused on the sensation of breathing in and out and how that impacts the movements within my body.

I concentrate on the air flowing in and out of my nose and my shoulders as they rise and fall.

If I find that my mind wanders, I return my thoughts to my breath." Ajahn, a British Theravada Buddhist monk, explains the purpose of samatha meditation.

Ajahn says, "I practise samatha meditation to help my mind to become calm and to open to deeper concentration.

Samatha meditation helps me develop positive emotions, and this leads me to feel more restful and peaceful." Let's complete a check for understanding.

Which two of the following describe the purpose of samatha meditation: A: to become calm, B: to develop negative emotions, or C, to develop deeper concentration? Pause the video here and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Well done if you selected A and C.

To become calm and develop deeper concentration describes the purpose of samatha meditation.

Some Buddhists may also use visual objects, or kasinas, whilst practising samatha meditation, Niti and Ajahn, who are both Theravada Buddhists, explain why.

Niti says, "Some of the monks in my vihara use kasinas to focus during meditation.

They place a coloured disc in front of them and concentrate their thoughts and attention on it." Ajahn says, "I use a bowl of water as a kasina whilst practising samatha meditation.

To reach enlightenment, I must be able to focus and concentrate." True or false? Kasinas can aid samatha meditation.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you said that statement is true.

Kasinas can be used as a point of focus during samatha meditation, and they help improve concentration.

Laura says, "Why is samatha meditation significant to you, Niti? Niti tells us, "Samatha meditation is significant to me because it creates a state of calmness and concentration in my mind.

When my mind is calm, it then enables me to gain insight into the Buddha's teachings.

I practise samatha meditation before moving on to vipassana meditation or insight meditation." Ajahn explains why samatha meditation is significant to him.

He says, "I believe that the Buddha practised samatha meditation, and I want to follow his example so that I can also achieve enlightenment.

Samatha helps calm my mind and let go of my cravings.

Cravings cause suffering and will stop me from attaining Nibbana, a state of perfect peace and liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth." Now we're gonna pause and complete our second and final practise task.

Lucas has written part of a response to the following task: Explain two different reasons Buddhists practise samatha meditation.

Lucas says, "One reason many Buddhists might practise samatha meditation is that it helps create a state of calmness and cultivates a deeper understanding.

Some Buddhists may use objects called kasinas to aid samatha meditation.

Kasinas help focus and improve concentration, which is required to retain enlightenment." Complete the next part of the response with another reason Buddhists practise samatha meditation.

Include a source of wisdom and authority and accurately apply this to your point.

Good luck completing the practise task.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Welcome back, everybody.

So Lucas had written part of a response to the following task: Explain two different reasons Buddhists practise samatha meditation.

You needed to complete the next part of the response and include a source of wisdom and authority and accurately apply this to your point.

Your response might be similar to this: "Another reason many Buddhists practise samatha meditation is because the Buddha practised this form of meditation.

Most Buddhists want to follow the example of the Buddha to achieve enlightenment and reach nibbana, a state of perfect peace and liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth." Well done on completing the second and final practise task.

So that brings us to the end of today's lesson on samatha meditation.

Here are our key learning points from today's lesson.

The main purposes of meditation include: developing a still, calm and focused mind and gaining greater wisdom of the Buddha's Dhamma.

Many non Buddhist practise meditation to relax, manage stress, and enhance concentration.

Samatha meditation is mostly practised within Theravada Buddhism.

It emphasises calmness and often involves focusing on mindfulness of breathing.

Lastly, some Buddhists use visual objects, known as kasinas, to aid their focus during meditation.

Well done on all of your hard work in today's RE lesson.

Thank you for joining me.

Goodbye.