Difference between revisions of "Body"
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| − | The [[body]] (''[[kāya]]'') is the [[physical]] structure of the {{Wiki|individual}}. According to the [[Buddha]] | + | The [[body]] (''[[kāya]]'') is the [[physical]] {{Wiki|structure}} of the {{Wiki|individual}}. According to the [[Buddha]]’[[s]] analysis, the [[body]] is one of the five constituents that make up the {{Wiki|individual}} and consists of the [[elements]] of {{Wiki|solidity}}, {{Wiki|fluidity}}, caloricity and [[space]] (D.II,294). He describes the [[body]] as ‘material, made of the [[four elements]], derived from mother and father, maintained on {{Wiki|rice}} and gruel, [[impermanent]], liable to injury and abrasion, being broken and destroyed, [[bound]] up with [[consciousness]] and dependent on it.’ (D.I,76). |
Following the {{Wiki|medical}} theories of the [[time]], he identified 31 significant [[body]]-parts – {{Wiki|hair}} of the [[head]], [[body]] [[hair]], {{Wiki|nails}}, {{Wiki|teeth}}, {{Wiki|skin}}, {{Wiki|muscle tissue}}, ligaments, {{Wiki|bones}}, marrow, {{Wiki|kidneys}}, {{Wiki|heart}}, {{Wiki|liver}}, {{Wiki|diaphragm}}, {{Wiki|spleen}}, {{Wiki|lungs}}, {{Wiki|intestines}}, {{Wiki|bowels}}, {{Wiki|stomach}}, faeces, {{Wiki|bile}}, {{Wiki|phlegm}}, pus, {{Wiki|blood}}, {{Wiki|sweat}}, fat, {{Wiki|tears}}, [[body]] oil, saliva, {{Wiki|nasal mucus}}, lymphatic fluid and {{Wiki|urine}} (M.I,57). Later commentators added a 32nd part, the {{Wiki|brain}}. | Following the {{Wiki|medical}} theories of the [[time]], he identified 31 significant [[body]]-parts – {{Wiki|hair}} of the [[head]], [[body]] [[hair]], {{Wiki|nails}}, {{Wiki|teeth}}, {{Wiki|skin}}, {{Wiki|muscle tissue}}, ligaments, {{Wiki|bones}}, marrow, {{Wiki|kidneys}}, {{Wiki|heart}}, {{Wiki|liver}}, {{Wiki|diaphragm}}, {{Wiki|spleen}}, {{Wiki|lungs}}, {{Wiki|intestines}}, {{Wiki|bowels}}, {{Wiki|stomach}}, faeces, {{Wiki|bile}}, {{Wiki|phlegm}}, pus, {{Wiki|blood}}, {{Wiki|sweat}}, fat, {{Wiki|tears}}, [[body]] oil, saliva, {{Wiki|nasal mucus}}, lymphatic fluid and {{Wiki|urine}} (M.I,57). Later commentators added a 32nd part, the {{Wiki|brain}}. | ||
| − | The {{Wiki|ancient}} [[Buddhists]] said that [[body]] also has nine orifices ([[nava sotā]]); the two [[eyes]], {{Wiki|ears}} and nostrils, the {{Wiki|mouth}}, anus and urethra (Sn.197) and two layers of {{Wiki|skin}}; the epidermis ([[chavi]]) and the dermis ([[camma]], A.IV,129). They also identified 60 [[tendons]] and ligaments ([[nahāru]],Vis.253). | + | The {{Wiki|ancient}} [[Buddhists]] said that [[body]] also has [[nine orifices]] ([[nava sotā]]); the two [[eyes]], {{Wiki|ears}} and nostrils, the {{Wiki|mouth}}, anus and urethra (Sn.197) and two layers of {{Wiki|skin}}; the epidermis ([[chavi]]) and the dermis ([[camma]], A.IV,129). They also identified 60 [[tendons]] and ligaments ([[nahāru]],Vis.253). |
The [[Buddha]] recommended sometimes contemplating the [[unpleasant]] aspects of the [[body]]. This was not because he believed that the [[body]] is disgusting, but to [[balance]] the general tendency to regard only its [[pleasant]] and desirable aspects. A more complete and balanced [[understanding]] to the [[body]] can help lessen personal vanity and cool [[sexual desire]]. However, the [[Buddha]] also said that {{Wiki|physical}} attractiveness is a [[blessing]] so long as it does not arouse vanity (A.III,47). | The [[Buddha]] recommended sometimes contemplating the [[unpleasant]] aspects of the [[body]]. This was not because he believed that the [[body]] is disgusting, but to [[balance]] the general tendency to regard only its [[pleasant]] and desirable aspects. A more complete and balanced [[understanding]] to the [[body]] can help lessen personal vanity and cool [[sexual desire]]. However, the [[Buddha]] also said that {{Wiki|physical}} attractiveness is a [[blessing]] so long as it does not arouse vanity (A.III,47). | ||
| − | Because of the close connection between [[body]] and [[mind]], anyone practicing [[meditation]] has to take into account the state of the [[body]]. The [[Buddha]] said that ‘[[bodily]] discomfort scatters the [[mind]] to externals.’ (S.V,156). He also said that ‘when the [[body]] is tired, the [[mind]] is distorted and when the [[mind]] is distorted it is far from [[concentrated]]’ (M.I,116). Consequently, a [[relaxed]] comfortable [[body]] is an important prerequisite for successful [[meditation]]. See {{Wiki|Hygiene}}, {{Wiki|Posture}} and {{Wiki|Yoga}}. | + | Because of the close connection between [[body]] and [[mind]], anyone practicing [[meditation]] has to take into account the [[state]] of the [[body]]. The [[Buddha]] said that ‘[[bodily]] discomfort scatters the [[mind]] to externals.’ (S.V,156). He also said that ‘when the [[body]] is tired, the [[mind]] is distorted and when the [[mind]] is distorted it is far from [[concentrated]]’ (M.I,116). Consequently, a [[relaxed]] comfortable [[body]] is an important prerequisite for successful [[meditation]]. See {{Wiki|Hygiene}}, {{Wiki|Posture}} and {{Wiki|Yoga}}. |
[[kāya]]. [[Body]]. [[Kāyānupassanā]]-[[observation of the body]]. | [[kāya]]. [[Body]]. [[Kāyānupassanā]]-[[observation of the body]]. | ||
Revision as of 01:30, 31 January 2015
The body (kāya) is the physical structure of the individual. According to the Buddha’s analysis, the body is one of the five constituents that make up the individual and consists of the elements of solidity, fluidity, caloricity and space (D.II,294). He describes the body as ‘material, made of the four elements, derived from mother and father, maintained on rice and gruel, impermanent, liable to injury and abrasion, being broken and destroyed, bound up with consciousness and dependent on it.’ (D.I,76).
Following the medical theories of the time, he identified 31 significant body-parts – hair of the head, body hair, nails, teeth, skin, muscle tissue, ligaments, bones, marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, diaphragm, spleen, lungs, intestines, bowels, stomach, faeces, bile, phlegm, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, body oil, saliva, nasal mucus, lymphatic fluid and urine (M.I,57). Later commentators added a 32nd part, the brain.
The ancient Buddhists said that body also has nine orifices (nava sotā); the two eyes, ears and nostrils, the mouth, anus and urethra (Sn.197) and two layers of skin; the epidermis (chavi) and the dermis (camma, A.IV,129). They also identified 60 tendons and ligaments (nahāru,Vis.253).
The Buddha recommended sometimes contemplating the unpleasant aspects of the body. This was not because he believed that the body is disgusting, but to balance the general tendency to regard only its pleasant and desirable aspects. A more complete and balanced understanding to the body can help lessen personal vanity and cool sexual desire. However, the Buddha also said that physical attractiveness is a blessing so long as it does not arouse vanity (A.III,47).
Because of the close connection between body and mind, anyone practicing meditation has to take into account the state of the body. The Buddha said that ‘bodily discomfort scatters the mind to externals.’ (S.V,156). He also said that ‘when the body is tired, the mind is distorted and when the mind is distorted it is far from concentrated’ (M.I,116). Consequently, a relaxed comfortable body is an important prerequisite for successful meditation. See Hygiene, Posture and Yoga.
kāya. Body. Kāyānupassanā-observation of the body.
See; sati-paṭṭhāna
