Hello All,
I'm not sure where to post this but I'm sure the mods will correct me if I'm wrong. I practice primarily in the Kammatthana Thai Forest tradition but have practiced with other schools. I have found myself drawn to the practice of 108 prostrations as is done in the Kwan Um school of Zen. I was wondering how such a practice might be viewed within the context of Theravada doctrine and praxis. Would such a practice simply be considered as a harmless but relatively ineffective one or could it be seen as having definite value in the cultivation of skillful qualities.
I thank anyone who has any advice to give. I have recently added the 108 bows to my daily schedule and find it has good psycho-physical benefits but would just like a doctrinal perspective.
Metta,
Mike
Prostrations from a Theravada POV
- Khalil Bodhi
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Prostrations from a Theravada POV
To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one's mind — this is the teaching of the Buddhas.
-Dhp. 183
The Stoic Buddhist: https://www.quora.com/q/dwxmcndlgmobmeu ... pOR2p0uAdH
My Practice Blog:
http://khalilbodhi.wordpress.com
-Dhp. 183
The Stoic Buddhist: https://www.quora.com/q/dwxmcndlgmobmeu ... pOR2p0uAdH
My Practice Blog:
http://khalilbodhi.wordpress.com
Re: Prostrations from a Theravada POV
I hope someone can offer a proper Theravada perspective, but I would just say you can treat it as honouring the Triple Gem, your potential for enlightenment, your practice, confessing your defilements and vowing to be more mindful of your habits of mind, speech and action. Or some combination of these.
Sounds like a very good practice!
_/|\_
Sounds like a very good practice!
_/|\_
_/|\_
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Re: Prostrations from a Theravada POV
I don't know if there is a specific Theravada view, since it's a foreign practice to Theravada. It could be beneficial by being a method of discipline, or it could just be a silly superstition.Khalil Bodhi wrote:Hello All,
I'm not sure where to post this but I'm sure the mods will correct me if I'm wrong. I practice primarily in the Kammatthana Thai Forest tradition but have practiced with other schools. I have found myself drawn to the practice of 108 prostrations as is done in the Kwan Um school of Zen. I was wondering how such a practice might be viewed within the context of Theravada doctrine and praxis. Would such a practice simply be considered as a harmless but relatively ineffective one or could it be seen as having definite value in the cultivation of skillful qualities.
I thank anyone who has any advice to give. I have recently added the 108 bows to my daily schedule and find it has good psycho-physical benefits but would just like a doctrinal perspective.
Metta,
Mike
- Khalil Bodhi
- Posts: 2250
- Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 6:32 pm
- Location: NYC
- Contact:
Re: Prostrations from a Theravada POV
quote]
I don't know if there is a specific Theravada view, since it's a foreign practice to Theravada. It could be beneficial by being a method of discipline, or it could just be a silly superstition.[/quote]
Yeah, that's the rub...
I don't know if there is a specific Theravada view, since it's a foreign practice to Theravada. It could be beneficial by being a method of discipline, or it could just be a silly superstition.[/quote]
Yeah, that's the rub...
To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one's mind — this is the teaching of the Buddhas.
-Dhp. 183
The Stoic Buddhist: https://www.quora.com/q/dwxmcndlgmobmeu ... pOR2p0uAdH
My Practice Blog:
http://khalilbodhi.wordpress.com
-Dhp. 183
The Stoic Buddhist: https://www.quora.com/q/dwxmcndlgmobmeu ... pOR2p0uAdH
My Practice Blog:
http://khalilbodhi.wordpress.com
- tiltbillings
- Posts: 23046
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:25 am
Re: Prostrations from a Theravada POV
The question is what are you doing when you are doing the prostrations?Khalil Bodhi wrote:Hello All,
I'm not sure where to post this but I'm sure the mods will correct me if I'm wrong. I practice primarily in the Kammatthana Thai Forest tradition but have practiced with other schools. I have found myself drawn to the practice of 108 prostrations as is done in the Kwan Um school of Zen. I was wondering how such a practice might be viewed within the context of Theravada doctrine and praxis. Would such a practice simply be considered as a harmless but relatively ineffective one or could it be seen as having definite value in the cultivation of skillful qualities.
I thank anyone who has any advice to give. I have recently added the 108 bows to my daily schedule and find it has good psycho-physical benefits but would just like a doctrinal perspective.
Metta,
Mike
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
- Khalil Bodhi
- Posts: 2250
- Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 6:32 pm
- Location: NYC
- Contact:
Re: Prostrations from a Theravada POV
Tilt,
I have alternated between reciting "namo tassa bhagavato...", asking forgiveness of anyone i have harmed and reciting the refuges. I seems pretty innocuous to me but i guess I'm lookingfor some kind of scriptural or commentarial "okay" so I can be morecerain that it's not a completewast of time. Thans for the reply.
Mike
I have alternated between reciting "namo tassa bhagavato...", asking forgiveness of anyone i have harmed and reciting the refuges. I seems pretty innocuous to me but i guess I'm lookingfor some kind of scriptural or commentarial "okay" so I can be morecerain that it's not a completewast of time. Thans for the reply.
Mike
To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one's mind — this is the teaching of the Buddhas.
-Dhp. 183
The Stoic Buddhist: https://www.quora.com/q/dwxmcndlgmobmeu ... pOR2p0uAdH
My Practice Blog:
http://khalilbodhi.wordpress.com
-Dhp. 183
The Stoic Buddhist: https://www.quora.com/q/dwxmcndlgmobmeu ... pOR2p0uAdH
My Practice Blog:
http://khalilbodhi.wordpress.com
-
- Posts: 1970
- Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 2:19 am
Re: Prostrations from a Theravada POV
What are you doing mentally (to be more specific)tiltbillings wrote: The question is what are you doing when you are doing the prostrations?
Right, Tiltbillings?
- tiltbillings
- Posts: 23046
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:25 am
Re: Prostrations from a Theravada POV
You won't find any, but that does not mean it is a complete waste of time. It certainly can be a way of developing concentration and as a devotional practice. I would not worry about it. You could also use prostrations as a way of developing mindfulness; sort of a walking meditation on steroids.Khalil Bodhi wrote:Tilt,
I have alternated between reciting "namo tassa bhagavato...", asking forgiveness of anyone i have harmed and reciting the refuges. I seems pretty innocuous to me but i guess I'm lookingfor some kind of scriptural or commentarial "okay" so I can be morecerain that it's not a completewast of time. Thans for the reply.
Mike
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
- tiltbillings
- Posts: 23046
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:25 am
Re: Prostrations from a Theravada POV
Right, as we see above.Individual wrote:What are you doing mentally (to be more specific)tiltbillings wrote: The question is what are you doing when you are doing the prostrations?
Right, Tiltbillings?
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
- Khalil Bodhi
- Posts: 2250
- Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 6:32 pm
- Location: NYC
- Contact:
Re: Prostrations from a Theravada POV
Individual and Tilt,
Thanks for the input, I appreciate it and it certainly has given me a better idea of how to incorporate the bows into my practice. Metta.
Mike
Thanks for the input, I appreciate it and it certainly has given me a better idea of how to incorporate the bows into my practice. Metta.
Mike
To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one's mind — this is the teaching of the Buddhas.
-Dhp. 183
The Stoic Buddhist: https://www.quora.com/q/dwxmcndlgmobmeu ... pOR2p0uAdH
My Practice Blog:
http://khalilbodhi.wordpress.com
-Dhp. 183
The Stoic Buddhist: https://www.quora.com/q/dwxmcndlgmobmeu ... pOR2p0uAdH
My Practice Blog:
http://khalilbodhi.wordpress.com
Re: Prostrations from a Theravada POV
Did you mean to write " I would worry about it " Tilt ?tiltbillings wrote:You won't find any, but that does not mean it is a complete waste of time. It certainly can be a way of developing concentration and as a devotional practice. I would worry about it. You could also use prostrations as a way of developing mindfulness; sort of a walking meditation on steroids.Khalil Bodhi wrote:Tilt,
I have alternated between reciting "namo tassa bhagavato...", asking forgiveness of anyone i have harmed and reciting the refuges. I seems pretty innocuous to me but i guess I'm lookingfor some kind of scriptural or commentarial "okay" so I can be morecerain that it's not a completewast of time. Thans for the reply.
Mike
- tiltbillings
- Posts: 23046
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:25 am
Re: Prostrations from a Theravada POV
I need to fire my proof reader.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
Re: Prostrations from a Theravada POV
there are prostrations in the theravadan tradition, in my experience it creates humility and happiness. look on you tube.
Take care of mindfulness and mindfulness will take care of you.