Anapāna Sati
The Buddha taught Meditation to the
human beings to come out from suffering i.e. to attain Nibbāna. At first, he practiced ancient Indian
meditation, then after he re-discovered the ‘vipassanā’ meditation technique by himself.
After his enlightenment he preached
ĀnāPāna sati to attain higher concentration level, which is useful to practice
‘vipassanā’ bhāvana to purify the mind.
This technique is a boon to spiritual seekers. The Buddha said that for
the purification of binges, for the overcoming of sorrow and lamentation, for
the disappearance of pain and grief, for reaching to noble path, for
realization of Nibbāna the technique of ĀnāPāna sati is quite useful. Through this method one can also attain
highest level of concentration (4th Rupavacara Jhāna).
Mindfulness of
breathing (ānāpānassati) is a very
important practice. It is a practice that was constantly used by noble men such
as the Buddhas, the Paccekabuddhas, and the disciples of the
Buddhas. All the Buddhas and the Arahats practiced ānāpānassati to reach enlightenment. Once enlightened, the Buddhas
and the Arahats continued to practice this to gain jhāna bliss.
This practice is
suitable to many meditators for the quick development of concentration. If ānāpānassati is developed and cultivated
repeatedly, it fulfills the Four Foundation of Mindfulness (satipaṭṭhana), which in turn will lead
to the fulfillment of the Seven Enlightenment Factors (bojjhaṅga), which will ultimately lead to the fulfillment of true
knowledge (vijjā) and deliverance (vimutti) (M.III.118).
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