Dhyana Paramita: The Perfection Of Meditation

Shamatha, Vipashyana, Buddhanupashyana and Buddhanusmriti

- Dr. Amartya Kumar Bhattacharya

An explanation as to the types of meditation in vogue is in order here. Shamatha and Vipashyana or Vidarshana (Pashyana or Darshana means to see in an ordinary way; Vipashyana or Vidarshana means to see in a special way, i.e., with insight) meditations are practised in South Asia and other countries which follow Theravada (the way of the Elders) Buddhism. Lord Buddha presented the technique of Vipashyana meditation in the Mahasatipatthana Sutta or Mahasmritipratishthana Sutra / Satipatthana Sutta or Smritipratishthana Sutra. He delivered this Sutra in Kammassadhammam near Delhi. The Mahasatipatthana Sutta is found in the Digha (Dirgha) Nikaya and the Satipatthana Sutta is found in the Majjhima (Madhyama) Nikaya. Zen Buddhism is practiced in East Asia, that is, in China, North and South Korea, Taiwan and Japan, which are among the countries that practice Mahayana (the great vehicle) Buddhism. In fact, Zen is one of the eight schools of Mahayana Buddhism. Meditation is something that cannot be fully explained in words, it has to be experienced to be understood completely.