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 (4^th 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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