Lesson video

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

In today's lesson, we're going to be exploring The Role of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in Meditation.

Today's lesson outcome is I can explain the aims, methods and significance of visualising Buddhas and Bodhisattvas through meditation.

To help us with today's lesson, we have five keywords.

They are Bodhisattva, Buddha, Buddha-nature, mandala, and visualisation.

A Bodhisattva is a being destined for enlightenment who postpones their final escape from samsara in order to help living beings.

A Buddha is an awakened or enlightened person.

Buddha-nature refers to the fundamental nature of all beings, which means that all beings can become enlightened or reach Buddhahood.

Mandala is an intricate circle shaped pattern.

And visualisation is imagining an image of a Buddha or Bodhisattva, focusing on their qualities.

In today's lesson on the role of Buddhists and Bodhisattvas in meditation, we're going to be exploring the lesson in two parts.

We're going to begin by learning about why some Buddhists use visualisation of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and how they do that, and then we move on to consider the significance of visualisation for many Buddhists.

Let's start the lesson by learning about the visualisation of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for many Buddhists during meditation.

Many Buddhists use visualisation as a key aspect of meditation.

Visualisation is most commonly practised in Mahayana schools of Buddhism, particularly Pure Land Buddhism, practised widely in Japan, and Tibetan Buddhism, practised widely in Tibet and across the Himalayan region.

Sam wants to investigate how and why Buddhists use visualisation during meditation.

She has brought together three Buddhists from the Mahayana tradition living in the UK.

Joining Sam are Katrina, a Mahayana Buddhist, Mel, a Tibetan Buddhist, and Pam, a Pure Land Buddhist.

Sam asks, "What is visualisation in Buddhism, Katrina?" Katrina says, "Visualisation is when a Buddhist sees or imagines an object in their mind.

They may look at an object first and then put it out of sight or look at the object in as much detail as possible.

The object is a focus for concentration and may also connect with some spiritual qualities." True or false, visualisation is most commonly practised in Theravada schools of Buddhism? Pause the video and press Play when you're ready to see the correct answer.

Well done if you said that statement is false.

Visualisation is most commonly practised in Mahayana schools of Buddhism, particularly Pure Land and Tibetan Buddhism.

Sam has a question for Katrina.

She asks, "Do you use visualisation when meditating, Katrina?" Katrina responds, "Yes.

I often visualise a deity when I meditate.

This doesn't refer to a creator God as in other religions.

In Buddhism, deities are enlightened beings, such as the Buddha or Bodhisattva.

They serve as spiritual role models to me.

I focus on their qualities to become more like them." How does Katrina use visualisation when meditating? Either with your partner or in a group, discuss that question.

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

Great discussions, everyone.

Welcome back.

So how does Katrina use visualisation when meditating? Well, when meditating, Katrina might visualise a Buddha or a Bodhisattva because for her they serve as spiritual role models and she wants to develop the qualities to become more like them.

Katrina tells us about the popular Bodhisattva, Avalokitesvara, "Avalokitesvara is a popular Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism.

He represents a quality of compassion.

I visualise him when meditating to develop my own sense of compassion." True or false, the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara may be visualised during meditation to help a Buddhist develop compassion? Pause the video and press Play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you said that statement is true.

The Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara represents the quality of compassion.

Here we have Sam, and Sam has a question for Mel.

"Do you use visualisation when meditating, Mel?" Mel replies, "Yes, I frequently use visualisation when meditating.

I visualise the Buddha or a Bodhisattva to help deepen my connection and increase my understanding of his teachings.

This visualisation technique helps me gain insight into the true nature of existence." Why does Mel use visualisation when meditating? With your partner or in a group, have a discussion about the question, and then pause the video, press Play when you're ready to reflect on your answers.

Welcome back, everybody.

So you might have said that Mel uses visualisation of the Buddha or a Bodhisattva to help deepen her connection, also to increase her understanding of the teachings.

Mel explains how she uses visualisation during meditation.

Mel says, "As a Tibetan Buddhist, visualisation is a key aspect of my meditation practise.

Seeing or visualising the Buddha or a Bodhisattva, I form a mental image through repeated engagement.

I have become familiar with their symbolic features, such as hand gestures, known as mudras, or posture.

This has deepened my understanding of the Dhamma and helps me cultivate qualities like compassion and wisdom, moving me closer to enlightenment." How does Mel use visualisation when meditating? So again, with your partner or in a group, discuss how does Mel use visualisation when meditating? Pause the video here and press Play when you're ready to reflect on your answers.

Okay, welcome back, everybody.

So Mel uses visualisation by forming a mental image, and she does that repeatedly.

This helps her become familiar with the symbolic features, such as the hand gestures or the posture.

Mel explains why she visualises the medicine Buddha.

Mel says, "I sometimes visualise the medicine Buddha during meditation.

The medicine Buddha is related to healing.

Visualising the medicine Buddha helps me reduce suffering, both mentally and physically.

It can also help bring healing to others." True or false, visualising the medicine Buddha might be used to reduce suffering? Pause the video and press Play when you're ready to see the correct answer.

Well done if you said that statement is true, the medicine Buddha is related to healing.

Sam asks, "Why do you use visualisation when meditating, Pam?" Pam replies, "I visualise the Bodhisattva Amitabha Buddha during meditation.

I do this because I believe that by visualising Amitabha and chanting his name, I will be reborn in the Pure Land." Why does Pam use visualisation when meditating? With your partner or perhaps on your own, take time to reflect on that question.

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

Okay, welcome back, everybody.

So Pam uses visualisation when meditating because she believes that by visualising Amitabha Buddha, it will help her be reborn into the Pure Land.

Buddhists might look to a source of authority to find out more about using visualisation during meditation.

In the Amitayus Meditation Sutra used in Pure Land Buddhism, it emphasises the power of visualisation practises.

Visualisation and mindfulness of Amitabha Buddha can help lead to rebirth in the Pure Land, a land of bliss created by Amitabha Buddha for those seeking enlightenment.

Why are Pure Land Buddhists encouraged to visualise Amitabha Buddha during meditation? So pause the video here and consider why this is something that Pure Land Buddhists are encouraged to do.

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

Okay, welcome back, everybody.

So why are Pure Land Buddhists encouraged to visualise Amitabha Buddha during meditation? Well, visualisation of Amitabha Buddha can ultimately help lead to rebirth in the Pure Land.

Well done if you said something similar in your answer, Pam explains why she wants to be reborn in the Pure Land.

Pam says, "I believe Amitabha Buddha exists in the Pure Land.

If I'm reborn into the Pure Land, I will be taught by Amitabha and it will be easier for me to reach enlightenment and attain Buddhahood." True or false, Pure Land Buddhists are discouraged from visualising Amitabha Buddha during meditation? Pause the video and press Play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you said that statement is false, Pure Land Buddhists are encouraged to visualise Amitabha Buddha during meditation.

Visualisation of Amitabha Buddha can help lead to rebirth in the Pure Land.

So now we're going to complete our first practise task.

Izzy and Sam explain the ways Buddhas and Bodhisattvas might be used in meditation.

Develop each of their points with explanations or examples.

Izzy says, "Many Buddhists might use visualisation in meditation by visualising a Bodhisattva, such as Avalokitesvara." Sam says, "Some Buddhists might use visualisation by focusing on Amitabha Buddha." So remember, you are going to develop each of their points with explanations or examples.

Good luck completing the practise task.

Pause the video here and press Play when you're ready to reflect on your answers.

Welcome back, everybody.

So your answer may look like this.

So Izzy had said, "Many Buddhists might use visualisation in meditation by visualising a Bodhisattva, such as Avalokitesvara.

You may have said, "This will focus on the deities characteristics and qualities, such as compassion, to try and develop that quality within themselves." Sam's point was, "Some Buddhists might use visualisation by focusing on Amitabha Buddha." You may have developed Sam's point by saying, "In the Amitayus Meditation Sutra, Pure Land Buddhists are taught to visualise Amitabha Buddha during meditation.

Visualising or chanting Amitabha's name can help Pure Land Buddhists to be reborn in the Pure Land." Well done on completing the first practise task.

So now we're gonna move on the second of today's lesson to consider the significance of visualisation during meditation for many Buddhists.

Sam wants to know why visualisation is significant for many Buddhists.

She interviews Ting, a Mahayana Buddhist monk.

Sam says, "Why is visualisation significant to you as a Mahayana Buddhist monk, Ting?" Ting replies, "As a Mahayana Buddhist, I visualise the Buddha when meditating.

This is significant because I believe it awakes the Buddha-nature within me.

The Buddha-nature refers to the fundamental nature of all beings, which means that all beings can become enlightened and reach Buddhahood." Some Buddhists may even visualise themselves as the Buddha to deepen their spiritual growth and progress.

This is significant because it will help them on the path to enlightenment.

Let's pause and complete a check for understanding.

Which of the following explains what Buddha-nature is? A, a being destined for enlightenment, who postpones their final escape from samsara in order to help living beings, B, imagining an image of a Buddha or Bodhisattva focusing on their qualities, or C, refers to the fundamental nature of all beings, which means that all beings can become enlightened, reaching Buddhahood.

Good luck.

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

Well done if you selected C as the correct answer.

Buddha-nature refers to the fundamental nature of all beings, which means that all beings can become enlightened and reach Buddhahood.

Pam explains why visualising Amitabha Buddha is significant to her.

Pam tells us, "Amitabha Buddha is a role model to me.

I believe he created the Pure Land out of compassion and love for all beings.

I believe that by visualising him whilst reciting his name, I will be reborn in the Pure Land.

This is significant because it will enable me to reach enlightenment and attain Buddhahood." Mel explains why visualisation is significant to her.

Mel says, "As a Tibetan Buddhist, visualisation is significant to me because I believe it can help me realise my Buddha-nature.

By visualising myself as an enlightened being, such as a Buddha or Bodhisattva, I'm training my mind to think and act like one, gradually dissolving my ego and negative emotions.

In Tibetan Buddhism, thangkas, or detailed paintings of Buddhas or Bodhisattvas, are often used to help with visualisation." Let's complete a check for understanding.

Select two reasons why visualisation is significant to Buddhists.

A, it helps them to realise the Buddha-nature within, B, it helps them to achieve enlightenment, or C, it helps them to develop an ego and negative emotions? Pause the video and press Play when you're ready to check your answers.

Well done if you selected A and B.

Visualisation is significant to Buddhists because it helps them realise the Buddha-nature within and it helps to achieve enlightenment.

Some Buddhists may use a detailed painting of a Buddha or Bodhisattva called a thangka to help them visualise a deity.

Some Tibetan Buddhists will use mandalas, an intricate circle shape pattern.

You can see one example here on your screen.

Mandalas are often sacred diagrams that represent the Buddhist virtues or teachings.

Mandalas can aid concentration, which is a skillful action required to achieve enlightenment.

Mandalas made of sand are created with meticulous care before being destroyed as a reminder of the impermanent nature of all things.

True or false, mandalas made of sand are destroyed as a reminder of the impermanent nature of all things? Pause the video and press Play when you're ready to see the correct answer.

Well done if you said that statement is true.

So now we're going to complete our second practise task.

Complete the table to explain the significance of three different methods of visualisation.

In your explanation, you should include an example.

So the three methods you're going to explain the significance for are visualising a Bodhisattva, visualising the Buddha, and visualising a mandala.

Good luck completing the practise task.

Pause the video and press Play when you're ready to reflect on your answers.

Welcome back, everybody.

So in your answers you could have said, visualising a Bodhisattva, some Buddhists will visualise a Bodhisattva, such as Avalokitesvara, who represents the quality of compassion.

This is significant because it helps them to develop a sense of compassion.

Visualising the Buddha, some Buddhists visualise the Buddha.

They may become familiar with the symbolic features, such as hand gestures or mudras.

This is significant because it helps deepen understanding of the Dhamma.

And lastly, visualising a mandala, some Buddhists will visualise mandalas.

Mandalas can represent the universe, the Buddha or his teachings.

This is significant because it can aid concentration and remind Buddhists of the impermanent nature of all things.

So that brings us to the end of today's lesson on the role of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in meditation.

Here is a summary of our key learning points.

Visualisation is most commonly practised in Mahayana schools of Buddhism.

For example, Tibetan and Pure Land Buddhism.

Visualisation is when a Buddhist sees or imagines an object in their mind.

Some Buddhists will visualise a Buddha or a Bodhisattva to help develop a particular characteristic or quality, such as compassion.

Visualisation is significant to many Mahayana Buddhists because they believe it awakes the Buddha-nature within them.

And some Buddhists create mandalas made of sand as a reminder of the impermanent nature of all things.

Thank you very much for joining me for today's RE lesson.

Goodbye.