Предисловие
|
<<Назад Оглавление |
Оглавление |
Далее>> Два направления в медитации |
| Перевод | Таблица | Оригинал |
Foreword
The following pages were originally intended as new sections to be added to the second edition of my introductory book on the Dhamma, What is Buddhism?. However, as many people are greatly interested in the practice of meditation, and as many are also separated from the sources of a living tradition, it is hoped that the following may be of value even apart from the sections of the book which they supplement.
When we consider meditation, we cannot stress too much the importance of having the right reasons for taking it up. Meditation — or, as a better translation of samadhi, collectedness — is only one aspect of Buddhist practice, and must, to be successful, go hand in hand with such other practices as generosity, gentleness, nonviolence, patience, contentment and humility. If such genuine qualities of the Dhamma neither exist in oneself initially, nor grow through one's practice, then something is drastically wrong, and only a foolhardy person will try to proceed. The practice of collectedness is based upon firm roots of virtue (sila) and cannot succeed in anyone who does not make a real effort to be strict in keeping the precepts.
The signs of "progress" in collectedness are not strange visions, peculiar feelings and the like (though it is conceivable that these may arise also where progress is achieved), but rather an all-round and harmonious growth in the way of Dhamma. If one is without a teacher then one has to be doubly vigilant, otherwise one will never become aware whether one of Mara's distractions is likely to succeed, or whether one does in fact tread the Middle Practice-Path.
This essay is an extract from Buddhism Explained, the second edition (revised and enlarged) of the book formerly known as What is Buddhism?, published by The Social Science Press of Thailand, Phya Thai Road, Chula Soi 2, Bangkok.
Bhikkhu Khantipalo
|
<<Назад Оглавление |
Оглавление |
Далее>> Два направления в медитации |
Редакция перевода от 13.10.2015 21:50