Difference between revisions of "Bhavana"
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| − | [[Bhāvanā]] ([[Pali]]; [[Sanskrit]], also [[bhāvana]]) literally means "[[development]]" or "[[cultivating]]" or "[[producing]]" in the [[sense]] of "calling into [[existence]]." It is an important {{Wiki|concept}} in [[Buddhist]] praxis ([[Patipatti]]). The [[word]] [[bhavana]] normally appears in {{Wiki|conjunction}} with another [[word]] forming a compound [[phrase]] such as [[Citta | + | [[Bhāvanā]] ([[Pali]]; [[Sanskrit]], also [[bhāvana]]) literally means "[[development]]" or "[[cultivating]]" or "[[producing]]" in the [[sense]] of "calling into [[existence]]." |
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| + | It is an important {{Wiki|concept}} in [[Buddhist]] praxis ([[Patipatti]]). | ||
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| + | The [[word]] [[bhavana]] normally appears in {{Wiki|conjunction}} with another [[word]] forming a compound [[phrase]] such as [[Citta-bhavana]] (the [[development]] or [[cultivation]] of the heart/mind) or [[Metta-bhavana]] (the development/cultivation of [[lovingkindness]]). | ||
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| + | When used on its [[own]] [[bhavana]] {{Wiki|signifies}} '[[spiritual cultivation]]' generally. | ||
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| + | [[bhavana]]: [[Contemplation]]. Literally means [[cultivation]]. | ||
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| + | General term for any type of [[meditational]] practice involving [[continuous attention]] by the [[mind]] to any suitable [[object]]. | ||
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| + | The two main types of [[meditation]] practiced in [[exoteric Buddhism]] are [[shamatha]] ([[calming]]) and [[vipashyana]] ([[insight]]) [[meditation]], while in [[esoteric Buddhism]] various [[forms]] of [[visualization]] are used along with the methods practiced in [[exoteric Buddhism]]. | ||
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=={{Wiki|Etymology}}== | =={{Wiki|Etymology}}== | ||
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[[Bhavana]] derives from the [[word]] [[Bhava]] meaning becoming or the [[subjective]] process of arousing [[mental states]]. | [[Bhavana]] derives from the [[word]] [[Bhava]] meaning becoming or the [[subjective]] process of arousing [[mental states]]. | ||
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| − | "I [[imagine]] that when [[Gotama]], the [[Buddha]], chose this [[word]] to talk about [[meditation]]e had in [[mind]] the {{Wiki|ubiquitous}} farms and fields of his native [[India]]. Unlike our words '[[meditation]]' or 'contemplation,' [[Gotama’s]] term is musty, rich, and verdant. It {{Wiki|smells}} of the [[earth]]. The commonness of his chosen term suggests naturalness, everydayness, ordinariness. The term also suggests {{Wiki|hope}}: no [[matter]] how fallow it has become, or damaged it may be, a field can always be cultivated — endlessly enhanced, enriched, developed — to produce a favorable and nourishing harvest." | + | : To explain the {{Wiki|cultural}} context of the [[historical Buddha]]'s employment of the term, Glenn Wallis emphasizes bhavana's [[sense]] of [[cultivation]]. |
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| + | He writes that a farmer performs [[bhavana]] when he or she prepares soil and [[plants]] a seed. Wallis infers the [[Buddha's]] [[intention]] with this term by {{Wiki|emphasizing}} the terrain and focus on {{Wiki|farming}} in {{Wiki|northern India}} at the [[time]] in the following passage. | ||
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| + | "I [[imagine]] that when [[Gotama]], the [[Buddha]], chose this [[word]] to talk about [[meditation]]e had in [[mind]] the {{Wiki|ubiquitous}} farms and fields of his native [[India]]. Unlike our words '[[meditation]]' or 'contemplation,' [[Gotama’s]] term is musty, rich, and verdant. | ||
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| + | It {{Wiki|smells}} of the [[earth]]. | ||
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| + | The commonness of his chosen term suggests naturalness, everydayness, ordinariness. | ||
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| + | The term also suggests {{Wiki|hope}}: no [[matter]] how fallow it has become, or damaged it may be, a field can always be cultivated — endlessly enhanced, enriched, developed — to produce a [[favorable]] and nourishing harvest." | ||
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==[[Buddhism]]== | ==[[Buddhism]]== | ||
| − | In the [[Pali Canon]] [[bhāvanā]] is often found in a compound [[phrase]] indicating personal, intentional [[effort]] over [[time]] with [[respect]] to the [[development]] of that particular {{Wiki|faculty}}. For instance, in the [[Pali Canon]] and post-canonical {{Wiki|literature}} one can find the following compounds: | + | |
| + | In the [[Pali Canon]] [[bhāvanā]] is often found in a compound [[phrase]] indicating personal, intentional [[effort]] over [[time]] with [[respect]] to the [[development]] of that particular {{Wiki|faculty}}. | ||
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| + | For instance, in the [[Pali Canon]] and post-canonical {{Wiki|literature}} one can find the following compounds: | ||
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* [[Citta-bhāvanā]], translated as "[[development of mind]]" or "[[development of consciousness]]." | * [[Citta-bhāvanā]], translated as "[[development of mind]]" or "[[development of consciousness]]." | ||
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* [[mettā-bhāvanā]], translated as the "[[cultivation]]" or "[[development of Loving-kindness]]." | * [[mettā-bhāvanā]], translated as the "[[cultivation]]" or "[[development of Loving-kindness]]." | ||
* [[paññā-bhāvanā]], translated as "[[development of Wisdom]]" or "[[development of understanding]]." | * [[paññā-bhāvanā]], translated as "[[development of Wisdom]]" or "[[development of understanding]]." | ||
| − | * [[Samādhi-bhāvanā]], translated as "[[development of tranquil-Wisdom]]." It means the [[cultivation]] ([[bhavana]]) of a broad range of skills, covering everything from worldview, to [[ethics]], [[livelihood]] and [[Mindfulness]]. | + | * [[Samādhi-bhāvanā]], translated as "[[development of tranquil-Wisdom]]." |
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| + | It means the [[cultivation]] ([[bhavana]]) of a broad range of skills, covering everything from worldview, to [[ethics]], [[livelihood]] and [[Mindfulness]]. | ||
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| + | In addition, in the [[Canon]], the [[development]] ([[bhāvanā]]) of [[Samatha-vipassana]] is lauded. | ||
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| + | Subsequently, [[Theravada]] [[teachers]] have made use of the following compounds: | ||
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[[File:Budh-monk-47.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Budh-monk-47.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
* [[Samatha-bhāvanā]], meaning the [[development of tranquility]]. | * [[Samatha-bhāvanā]], meaning the [[development of tranquility]]. | ||
* [[vipassanā-bhāvanā]], meaning the [[development of insight]]. | * [[vipassanā-bhāvanā]], meaning the [[development of insight]]. | ||
| − | The [[word]] [[bhavana]] is sometimes translated into English as '[[meditation]]' so that, for example, [[Metta-bhavana]] may be translated as 'the [[meditation]] on [[Loving-kindness]]'. [[Meditation]] as a state of [[absorbed concentration]] on the [[reality]] of the {{Wiki|present}} moment is properly called [[Dhyana]] ([[Sanskrit]]; [[Pali]]: [[Jhana]]) or [[Samadhi]]. | + | The [[word]] [[bhavana]] is sometimes translated into English as '[[meditation]]' so that, for example, [[Metta-bhavana]] may be translated as 'the [[meditation]] on [[Loving-kindness]]'. |
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| + | [[Meditation]] as a [[state]] of [[absorbed concentration]] on the [[reality]] of the {{Wiki|present}} [[moment]] is properly called [[Dhyana]] ([[Sanskrit]]; [[Pali]]: [[Jhana]]) or [[Samadhi]]. | ||
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==In [[Jainism]]== | ==In [[Jainism]]== | ||
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In [[Jain]] texts, [[bhāvana]] refers to "[[right conception]] or notion" or "the [[moral of a fable]]." | In [[Jain]] texts, [[bhāvana]] refers to "[[right conception]] or notion" or "the [[moral of a fable]]." | ||
Revision as of 10:50, 1 October 2015
Bhāvanā (Pali; Sanskrit, also bhāvana) literally means "development" or "cultivating" or "producing" in the sense of "calling into existence."
It is an important concept in Buddhist praxis (Patipatti).
The word bhavana normally appears in conjunction with another word forming a compound phrase such as Citta-bhavana (the development or cultivation of the heart/mind) or Metta-bhavana (the development/cultivation of lovingkindness).
When used on its own bhavana signifies 'spiritual cultivation' generally.
bhavana: Contemplation. Literally means cultivation.
General term for any type of meditational practice involving continuous attention by the mind to any suitable object.
The two main types of meditation practiced in exoteric Buddhism are shamatha (calming) and vipashyana (insight) meditation, while in esoteric Buddhism various forms of visualization are used along with the methods practiced in exoteric Buddhism.
Etymology
Bhavana derives from the word Bhava meaning becoming or the subjective process of arousing mental states.
- To explain the cultural context of the historical Buddha's employment of the term, Glenn Wallis emphasizes bhavana's sense of cultivation.
He writes that a farmer performs bhavana when he or she prepares soil and plants a seed. Wallis infers the Buddha's intention with this term by emphasizing the terrain and focus on farming in northern India at the time in the following passage.
"I imagine that when Gotama, the Buddha, chose this word to talk about meditatione had in mind the ubiquitous farms and fields of his native India. Unlike our words 'meditation' or 'contemplation,' Gotama’s term is musty, rich, and verdant.
The commonness of his chosen term suggests naturalness, everydayness, ordinariness.
The term also suggests hope: no matter how fallow it has become, or damaged it may be, a field can always be cultivated — endlessly enhanced, enriched, developed — to produce a favorable and nourishing harvest."
Buddhism
In the Pali Canon bhāvanā is often found in a compound phrase indicating personal, intentional effort over time with respect to the development of that particular faculty.
For instance, in the Pali Canon and post-canonical literature one can find the following compounds:
- Citta-bhāvanā, translated as "development of mind" or "development of consciousness."
- kāya-bhāvanā, translated as "development of body."
- mettā-bhāvanā, translated as the "cultivation" or "development of Loving-kindness."
- paññā-bhāvanā, translated as "development of Wisdom" or "development of understanding."
- Samādhi-bhāvanā, translated as "development of tranquil-Wisdom."
It means the cultivation (bhavana) of a broad range of skills, covering everything from worldview, to ethics, livelihood and Mindfulness.
In addition, in the Canon, the development (bhāvanā) of Samatha-vipassana is lauded.
Subsequently, Theravada teachers have made use of the following compounds:
- Samatha-bhāvanā, meaning the development of tranquility.
- vipassanā-bhāvanā, meaning the development of insight.
The word bhavana is sometimes translated into English as 'meditation' so that, for example, Metta-bhavana may be translated as 'the meditation on Loving-kindness'.
Meditation as a state of absorbed concentration on the reality of the present moment is properly called Dhyana (Sanskrit; Pali: Jhana) or Samadhi.
In Jainism
In Jain texts, bhāvana refers to "right conception or notion" or "the moral of a fable."
