Suttas on walking meditation technique?

[Sati1]

Hello,

I was wondering if anybody knows of a sutta that describes a method for doing walking meditation, beyond just stating that the person "walked back and forth" (cankamati). And do we know whether the walking was done on a straight path going "back and forth"?

Thank you!

[gavesako]

I don't think you will find one. But the living tradition and some archaeological evidence points towards straight walking paths covered with a roof on pillars.

[Cormac Brown]

a sutta that describes a method for doing walking meditation

The Karaniya Metta Sutta provides you with some verbal fabrications and perceptions, and suggests doing them while walking (and sitting, and standing, and lying down).

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

[Cormac Brown]

Also: See section [2] http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[gavesako]

Bhuktvā niṣīdatah sthaulyaṁ
tiṣṭhato balavardhanaṁ
āyuṣcankramato nityaṁ
mṛtyur dhāvati dhāvatah
- Vyāsakāra. 55.

‘To one who sits after eating (comes) plumpness, to one who stands –
growth of strength, to one who walks – longevity, and to one who runs – Death is always close at the heels.’
According to this saying of the ancient seers, standing and walking postures are preferable to sitting after the meal, because they are conducive to proper digestion. Pacing up and down, as an interim posture between sitting and running gives a light type of exercise to the body which helps the proper functioning of the digestive system. Moreover, the dull indolence that comes after the meal tends to drowsiness for which caṅkamana is an antidote.

- Excerpt from: “Walk to Nibbana”
Bhikkhu Kaṭukurunde Ñāṇananda

[SarathW]

"Furthermore, when walking, the monk discerns, 'I am walking.' When standing, he discerns, 'I am standing.' When sitting, he discerns, 'I am sitting.' When lying down, he discerns, 'I am lying down.' Or however his body is disposed, that is how he discerns it. And as he remains thus heedful, ardent, & resolute, any memories & resolves related to the household life are abandoned, and with their abandoning his mind gathers & settles inwardly, grows unified & centered. This is how a monk develops mindfulness immersed in the body.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


http://dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f= ... it=walking" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Dhammanando]

And do we know whether the walking was done on a straight path going "back and forth"?

Though they don't actually answer your question, below are the Vinaya passages relevant to the Buddha's allowance for a caṅkama (translated by I.B. Horner as "a place for pacing up and down in") along with various ancillary regulations.

https://suttacentral.net/en/pi-tv-kd15
(Scroll down to: At present, Lord, monks are very ill with their bodies full of (bad) humours...).

https://suttacentral.net/en/pi-tv-kd12
(Scroll down to: A monk under probation should not sit down on the same seat with a regular monk...).

https://suttacentral.net/en/pi-tv-kd5
(Scroll down to: Now at that time the Lord was pacing up and down without sandals in the open air...).

[Sati1]

Hello,

thank you for the very useful references. I had been wondering whether "walking up and down" might not just mean "going for a walk", but the passages in the Cullavagga (provided by Ven. Dhammanando) indicate that walking could be done "in a hall" and on paths "with a railing", suggesting that the paths were man-made and relatively short. This makes it seem likely that monks did indeed "walk up and down", probably on straight paths as we use them now.

Ven. Gavesako, what archeological evidence are you referring to? Are there sites with ancient walking paths?

Many thanks,

[gavesako]

If you visit India, there are some raised walking paths built of brick to be seen in the ancient Buddhist sites, sometimes also with a railing and what would have been pillars for a roof.

[Sati1]

Dear Ven. Gavesako,

This is indeed fascinating. Thank you for sharing the note and the photos.

Best wishes,