When we speak of mindfulness breathing meditation, a vivid reflection of Shravasti spontaneously appears to mind. This is because it was the place where Lord Buddha taught the complete version of the Sutra of Mindfulness Breathing In and Out (Anapanasmrti Sutra, Majjhima Nikaya 118) to His disciples over 2,500 years ago at Jetavana in Shravasti. This mindfulness practice serves as a crucial starting point for meditation, enabling us to settle the mind on a chosen object. This leads gradually to gaining physical and mental pliancy or flexibility.
During the Buddha’s time, Sravasti was one of the largest and wealthiest cities in India and was the capital of King Prasenajit, the son of Maha Kosala. It flourished from the time of the Buddha (5th century BCE) up to around the 12th century CE.
Short Meaning of Meditation
Meditation means to completely concentrate on a chosen object without being distracted. When we talk about meditation, Chinese meditators use the word “chan” [known as “zen” in Japanese], which consists of two parts. The first part is “shi”, while the second part “dan” means “single,” embodying a single-pointed mental concentration. A single-pointed mental concentration is to focus on a single object without being distracted. This then is called “meditation.”
Mindfulness Breathing Meditation
Vipassana meditation awakens us to see into the nature of reality. The term ‘Vipassana’ is derived from Pali and Sanskrit, where ‘vi’ is a prefix meaning ‘special,’ and ‘passana’ is the root of the verb meaning ‘seeing or insight.’ It can be thus translated as ‘special seeing’ or ‘special insight.’ This practice initially begins with focused awareness by concentrating on “breathing in and out.” It is not only popularly known in the national level, but also in the international level at large. Hence, vipassana practice plays an important role to help those people who are suffering mental depression.
The presentation of the practice of focusing on “breathing in and out” not only exists in the Theravada School, but many such presentations exist in the scriptures known as ‘Words of Lord Buddha.’ In Vinayavastu, for example, it says, “The Bhagavan when he was twenty-nine years old did not enjoy the sensory-objects as he was deeply moved by seeing an old man, a sick man, and a dying man, which led him to move to the forest at midnight. In the forest, he went through extreme hardship for six years, but it could not help him to quench his inner spiritual thirst. So, he chose instead to comfortably meditate on “breathing in and out.” Thereafter, he gradually chose to take resume eating food, food such as cooked rice.” Furthermore, elsewhere in the Vinaya, it says: “Thereafter, the Bhagavan abided in mindful meditation on ‘breathing in and out’ for three months. When his monks later arranged a seat for him to teach, the Buddha addressed them saying: O monks! If Tirthikas and other wandering mendicants ask you about my conduct during these three months, tell them, “Gautama abided in a mindful meditation on “breathing in and out” during these three months. The reason is that I mindfully abided in meditation on “breathing in and out” with clear awareness. I mindfully engaged in focusing on inhalation with a clear mindful awareness through which I could clearly recognise the inhaling awareness as it is. I mindfully engaged in focusing on exhalation with a clear mindful awareness through which I could clearly recognise the exhaling awareness as it is.”
Having gained no results even after engaging in the practice of an extreme asceticism for six years, Lord Buddha discovered the practice of mindfully focusing on ‘breathing in and out, which tremendously helps to eradicate mental distraction. On this subject, there is both a brief presentation in the ‘Words of Lord Buddha’ as well as an expanded presentation in the Sutra of Mindfulness Breathing In and Out (Anapanasmrti Sutra) taught by Lord Buddha at Jetavana in Shravasti.
The meditation practice of mindfully focusing on “breathing in and out” is an extraordinary and unsurpassable method for binding conceptual thoughts with the rope of wind (prana) –a method kindly offered and guided by the Buddha with great compassion to the different segments of society, irrespective of religion.
We normally choose a pebble, stick, or an image of the Buddha etc., as the object of calm-abiding meditation. One needs to concentrate on that chosen object, inanimate form, without being distracted. But due to extreme mental distractions and excitement in this degenerated era, it seems difficult to mindfully concentrate on a single object even after applying the antidote of mental distraction. But here, the method of mindfully focusing on “breathing in and out” taught by Lord Buddha is directly related to one’s life-force and the subtle energies within the body.
In the teachings of the great Burmese masters, he says, “While inhaling, expand your abdomen, and while exhaling, contract your abdomen.” This approach seems to be immensely useful in order to reduce conceptual thoughts. It is said, “The object of meditation should be low.” Thus, the importance of such a pith-instruction is also available in this mindfulness meditation practice [of “breathing in and out”].
Having practically engaged in the course of focusing on “breathing in and out,” conceptual thought is bound by the rope of wind. Thus, when one settles the mind into the natural state without being distracted, one will be able to realize the ultimate truth and then undoubtedly one will be widely known as a “Yogi.”
Additionally, in the meditation practices of “breathing in and out” taught by Lord Buddha, there are the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. This practice enables us to mindfully focus on the gross body up to the subtle mental objects, guiding us from the mundane to the supermundane. At the same time, it allows us to open the heart and awaken the mind.
There is no need to become a Buddhist to practice mindfulness meditation. The more familiar we become with this practice, the more mental peace we can achieve. The positive energy of mindfulness still flows within Jetavana. Devoted pilgrims and visitors can still inwardly experience the fragrance and vibes of this meditation while walking through its sacred sites. Leaving the hubbub of the world behind, this place has the potential to offer mental peace sought by individuals of all ages, regardless of their beliefs. The Buddhist Circuit of the state invites everyone to Shravasti to experience the presence of Lord Buddha through engaging in mindfulness meditation.