Search found 7 matches

by suceta
Sun May 12, 2013 8:18 am
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Breath as a concept by Yuttadhammo
Replies: 15
Views: 5674

Re: Breath as a concept by Yuttadhammo

I don't think that is a fair characterization of the Ven. Yuttadhammo's teaching. The Ven. Yuttadhammo teaches that it depends how you do it. According to him, if you focus on the breath as something that goes in and out, that is conceptual, and if you focus on it as a series of physical sensations...
by suceta
Sun May 12, 2013 8:09 am
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Breath as a concept by Yuttadhammo
Replies: 15
Views: 5674

Re: Breath as a concept by Yuttadhammo

One might point out that "Yuttadhammo" is also just a concept. Indeed that is true too, but I will disagree with you on this Venerable Sir and that is to say, that in trying to promote one object of meditation, there is absolutely no need to put down the other which has been actively enco...
by suceta
Sun May 12, 2013 5:45 am
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Breath as a concept by Yuttadhammo
Replies: 15
Views: 5674

Re: Breath as a concept by Yuttadhammo

What he, and Ajahn Brahm, and the ancient commentators for that matter, seem to me to be saying is that if the aim is to develop strong absorption, leading to deep jhana, then focussing on the "concept" of the breath is a possible technique. As I understand it (in theory only) one can the...
by suceta
Sun May 12, 2013 3:11 am
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Breath as a concept by Yuttadhammo
Replies: 15
Views: 5674

Re: Breath as a concept by Yuttadhammo

The problem is that the Buddha made it quite clear that mindfulness of breathing was not simply samatha but instead a fully capable vehicle for insight. To refer to the breath as "conceptual" or to claim that knowing the character of the breath is somehow not insight or not capable of lea...
by suceta
Sun May 12, 2013 2:59 am
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Breath as a concept by Yuttadhammo
Replies: 15
Views: 5674

Re: Breath as a concept by Yuttadhammo

Ven U Pandita certainly agrees with you, but does point out that one can focus on the "breath concept" instead (which is what Ajahn Brahm, for example, says when teaching jhana-oriented anapanasati): I would rather that I agreed with Ovadacariya Sayadaw U Pandita than the other way round ...
by suceta
Sun May 12, 2013 2:38 am
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Breath as a concept by Yuttadhammo
Replies: 15
Views: 5674

Breath as a concept by Yuttadhammo

I practise the Mahasi abdomen meditation technique and nowhere have I ever heard any Sayadaw (junior or senior) ever either denigrate the breath or designated it as a concept. Not that this may be important to everyone for that matter, but it sets the background to prevent any suggestion that there ...
by suceta
Sat May 11, 2013 4:21 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Ajahn Brahm for sale?
Replies: 242
Views: 52974

Re: Ajahn Brahm for sale?

The first reaction I felt when I saw Ajahn Brahm for sale was how could I help. In another incarnation as a forest monk (some 20 years ago) imbued with knowledge of the Vinaya, I would have criticised him much like some who already have. But now with more wisdom, knowledge and preference to judge my...