Ven. Sujato - Samatha Vipassana

Samatha vs Vipassana in the Buddha's own words.

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[uilium]

Is it true the Buddha prescribed a more concise but successful "concentration on what is" approach for an old man that asked for more essential teachings due to his advanced age?

[Malcolmlee9]

Sadhu Dadhu Sadhu !!!

[impermanent1979]

Very good explanation by ven.Sujato!! Sadhu,sadhu,sadhu!!

[myayzindhamma]

The difference between Samahta Yanika and Vipassan Yanika:

1. when eating a friut, say an apple (a)  removing it's outer layer by knife first (b) eating without removing the outer layer but take out from the mounth later

2. crossing the ocean to reach the other side (a) by a big luxurious ship (d) by swimming

3. building a nation by (a) capitalism (b) communism

Yanika can be translated as "approach", "method" or "way"

In the above 3 examples choice (a)s are samahta and (b)s are vipassana

[yozeroz]

whilst that may be true, (I don't speak from as much experience as you do so I can't confirm or deny) I think vipassana is a very good introduction and an accessible form to people that don't meditate full time, and i think its a very strong technique for a lot of people and it works well.

[bengchicago]

This is a useful point to make. A lot of people, getting started, dabble in this and that. They will do some form Zen, watch the breath, calm the mind etc. and they will easily find scriptural basis for that technique. Then, they will hear of this or that other method, a contemplative approach, whatever it might be. They will find scriptural basis for that too. So it can get confusing. I think the point is well made that Samatha and vipassana are both elements within anapanasati.

[digimaton]

@DazW1970 dude you come off like a pretentious twat, try toning that down a notch. The guy is offering a view here, he's a man not a buddha, and he's discussing something that some Western practitioners of mediation techniques derived from the Buddhist tradition might find insightful, besides, if you are such a great practitioner, why are you wasting your time on youtube criticising others?

[willhum]

I do enjoy Sujato's talks on youtube, he gives quite an interesting perspective particularly on lay-vipassana movements. These may or may not make a difference to how anybody approaches their practice but thats another story. I do think we need though to broaden our understanding of the dhamma beyond (often a single) 'vipassana technique'. The Sanga still has much to offer for reflection as this monk shows.

[DazW1970]

Observing this monk wriggling, looking skyward, fidgeting, rubbing his neck, swallowing his words, asserting his opinion, I can't help thinking he needs to start actually pursuing some form of meditation with unremitting vigour until his obvious unease in body and mind begin to dissipate. Practice first, debate second........actually, let's throw the debate away and rest in the unconditioned. Better that way.

[ruzickaw]

These are just monkish subtleties. Monks have lot of time for hairsplitting.

Just sit down and meditate for a while, than stand up and go work and be mindful.

Thats all.

Let the monks waste away their lives with these useless debates.

[wititj53]

Excellent at 2.00 'Samatha and Vipassana are not kinds of meditation - -they are qualities of mind. " Expressed another way; they are acclivities of mind. My tiny knowledge of Pali suggests that qualities like 'vipassana' often occur in the texts in forms like 'vipassana+ti or insight-ing - a verb not a noun. In English, the words tranquility and insight sit like big lumps - names/nouns awaiting reification. A more 'verby' language better embraces lively process and activity.

Cheers john

[stethoscanomaly]

no one in the "vipassana movement" contends that the buddha taught a path of vipassana only, to the exclusion of samatha. You seem to think you know an awful lot. :) you must be very well studied!

[GrassField1979]

If anyone want to know more and practice, every Q welcome. It's really easy, you can do any time anywhere. And sorry for my broken English, I'm Thai.

[GrassField1979]

But when you do alot of Vipassana then your mind gets very tired, it can't know/see things as they are (another explanation for vipassana)any more. Then you need to do Samata to help the mind calm down and rest.

[GrassField1979]

When to do Vipassana?-Whenever you can, and the Buddha stated clearly this is the only way to get that "wisdom" to take the mind to Nirvana.

[GrassField1979]

To make it Vipassana- thinking about the story yesterday then know that oh, I just thought about it again. The thought makes the anger come back, aware that I'm angry.

[GrassField1979]

THE KEY IS IT MUST BE PRESENT AND NO INTERVENTION. (Angry at someone yesterday and and just know that today, this is not Vipassana, just memory.

[GrassField1979]

then you're angry at yourself then know that you have anger at the moment. The purpose is wisdom for the mind.

[GrassField1979]

Then you taste the food and you like it, know at that moment that you like it if you happen to bite your tounge,it hurt and you don't like it-know that you don't like it (at the moment)

[GrassField1979]

Vipassana= Knowing(awareness) the current state of your mind at the moment without intervention. For example when you smell a good food and you want to eat-aware that at the moment you have the feeling of wanting to eat.

[GrassField1979]

To be continue...

[GrassField1979]

Samata= when you focusing/concentrating your mind on one thing or feeling. For example concentrating on the breathing, or starring at fire, etc. which your mind all the time stays with that particular thing only. The purpose is to calm the mind down. Use samata when your mind is restless or confusing, emotional or unstable. The experienced meditators also use samata whenever their minds need rest.

[GrassField1979]

Guys, I have to write here to clarify the fact. Believing viewers are interested in Buddhist, then I'd like them to get it right. it's not really that complicate and it's nothing traditional about it at all. Samata and Vipasana are definitely different things and for different purposes. But we need BOTH in order to attain Nirvana.

[ruzickaw]

tOO MUCH THEORETICAL TALKING. Things are much more simple. Samatha and Vipassana are complementary. First we need some deep concentration , then aplly it to Vipassana.

Concentration on the daily tasks helps to deepen the concentration for Samatha.

These doctrinal disputes about Samatha and Vipassana are just ridiculous. Monks have too much time for this.

[bodhabill]

Excellent explanation, ThanKyou Venerable Sujato