A comparative investigation of Samatha and Vipassanā in the Visuddhimagga and the Sravakabhūmi of the Yogācārabhūmi-Sāstra
Loading...
Date
2024-12-19
Authors
Shao, J.Y.
Chin, B.L.
Premasiri, P.D.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (PGIHS), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Abstract
The Pāli term "samatha" (Sanskrit: śamatha) is meditation focused on cultivating deep concentration and mental tranquillity, and the Pāli term "vipassanā" (Sanskrit:vipaśyanā ) is meditation aimed at gaining profound insight into the nature of reality and achieving liberation. Both the Visuddhimagga and the Śrāvakabhūmi section of the Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra serve as manuals of practice on Samatha and Vipassanā for Theravāda and Mahāyāna Buddhism, respectively. This research attempts to explore the similarities and differences in the theoretical basis and specific practice methods of the two classics on Samathavipassanā. The research adopts a comparative textual analysis, focusing on the doctrinal and practical aspects of Samatha-vipassanā as delineated in these two texts. In examining the Visuddhimagga, the results reveal that the analysis focuses on the systematic and detailed exposition of the seven kinds of purification and sixteen aspects of insight knowledge, which integrates both Samatha and Vipassanā as essential components of the Buddhist path to liberation. The results reveal that the Śravakabhūmi is examined for its unique contributions to the Yogācāra school's understanding of meditative practices, particularly in its nuanced treatment of consciousness and cognitive processes, such as the seven mental contemplations, nine stages of mental abiding, four types, three gates and six entities of Vipassanā. Additionally, the Śrāvakabhūmi provides an in-depth analysis of the objects of meditation (ālambana), which play a crucial role in guiding the practitioner through different stages of Samatha and Vipassanā. Both texts combine systematic doctrinal exposition and introspective analysis. They are not merely products of speculative or theoretical construction, but reflect a close and perceptive analysis of introspective experience. This introspective methodology differs fundamentally from the empirical methods of modern science, which focus on external observation and analysis of the biological organism. In contrast, the Buddhist analysis prioritizes the inner processes of experience and recognizes the profound significance of introspective observation in understanding the mind and its workings. This research offers a more diversified perspective on contemporary meditation practice through a comparative study of two texts on the Samatha and Vipassana comparison.
Description
Keywords
Samatha , Vipassanā , Visuddhimagga , Śravakabhūmi , Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra
Citation
Proceedings of the Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences Research Congress (PGIHS-RC) -2024, University of Peradeniya, P 71