Samatha meditation means the uplift of the concentration of a mind by suppressing the five defilements. Vidarshana meditation means the observation of the truth of the life by exploring it with a concentrated mind according to what Buddha taught.
Basically, there are two types of meditations in Buddhism. That is, Samatha and Vidarshana meditations. Samatha meditation means the uplift of the concentration of a mind by suppressing the five defilements. Vidarshana meditation means the observation of the truth of the life by exploring it with a concentrated mind according to what Buddha taught. Some people think only either Vidarshana or Samatha meditation is enough to attain Nibbana, but the Exalted One taught us that both these meditations are necessary to achieve that goal. However, there can be differences how a person initiate the path to Nibbana with respect to these [...]
There was a significant number of sages practicing different types of meditations by the time Buddha was born in India. He also experimented on those meditations in finding the ultimate truth, but he could not find it in their meditations. This was when he started to follow the great Noble Eight-fold Path or the ‘Majjhima Patipada’ (the Middle Path) which he realized without any teachers. By following the middle path, our teacher fully realized the suffering that everyone including himself has to face, eradicated the cause that creates suffering, witnessed the end to the suffering, and completed the path to Nibbana. [...]
An undeveloped mind is like the dispersed light. No one can perform meritorious deeds to himself or to another with that kind of mind. However, a mind that is well developed by meditation is like a focused beam of intense light. It helps creating a person who can help himself and others following the true path identified by Gautama Buddha. Meditation will also help us to face the day to day obstacles with a focused mind and to relive ourselves from them. Proper mediation also helps us to keep our minds concentrated to the target of realizing the truth of life [...]
The meaning of the word Bhavana (meditation) is the development. It is the development of mind and wisdom. Generally, a normal person’s mind gets obstructed by defilements called Pancha Niiwarana from the truth unendingly. A mind which is blocked in this way is an undeveloped one. It is not strong. Also, it cannot realize the truths of the world. This kind of mind is not concentrated or open to the truth. Therefore, a mind is first strengthened by meditation making it to be focused and strong, so it becomes suitable to develop the wisdom. Afterword, it will navigate the ascetic towards [...]
Not all the humans are born again as humans after their deaths. Likewise, there is also a possibility for the beings of other worlds to get births as humans. There are billions of beings in low-level worlds such as animal world and hell. Even if a small portion of these beings are reborn as humans, then that portion could be larger than the current population of humans in the entire world. This is why we see it as a population increment in overall.
Whether there are scientists who believe in reincarnation or not, it (Punarbhavaya) is still true. We cannot categorize scientists as the greatest of wise persons of all time. Their knowledge changes from time to time and it is based on the results they perceive with their general senses (the eye, ear, nose, etc…) after performing an experiment. Some scientists believe the reincarnation, while some do not. The important thing is to think wisely and become a person who believes it. If we can look into our past lives by developing our minds, then what is the need of a scientist to [...]
It is inaccurate to consider reincarnation as a false aspect. The Punarbhavaya or the reincarnation is not a false aspect. It is a truth, and there is a way to confirm this truth by practicing Buddhism. We need to practice meditation and attain the fourth state of concentration (Dhyana) in which the meditator will have the ability to check upon his past lives. Then, you will be able to see your past lives and confirm the reincarnation.
Karma is not permanent. Therefore, we can change it if we act based on what Buddha showed us. Then, we will also be able to free ourselves from being a victim of Karma.
The nature of our deeds (Karma), whether it is good or bad, will decide the characteristics of our next life.
