RELIG240 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Abhidhamma Pitaka, Buddhist Cosmology, Vasubandhu

• School: University of Alberta
• Department: Religious Studies
• Course: RELIG240
• Professor: Neil Dalal

Document Summary

Calming meditation involves withdrawal from sensory input and progressive states of trance, mental training for observation of events/higher trance (vispasyana) Buddhaghosa lists 40 objects of contemplation for process of calming the mind in 2 classes: ancillary techniques and trance techniques. 1. 5 hindrances replaced with factors of concentration (discursive thought, reasoning, enthusiasm, pleasure, one-pointed concentrated), 4. eliminates pleasure, mind pure just complete concentration on object. Four formless realms of away from realm of form (great sensory withdrawal): 1. infinite space (expands object to get rid of it its material) 2. infinite perception (eliminates space, concentrates on perception of this) 3. nothing-at-all (eliminates perception, concentrate that nothing remains, buddha learned with arada kalama) 4. neither idea nor non-idea (eliminates idea of nothing, concentrate on peace, Insight meditation aka mindfulness meditation, attention generally towards 5 skandhas and seeing they are impermanent (realization of no self nirvana) Buddhaghosa"s 7 virtues/purities last 5 specific to insight meditation.