Changes

===Buddhism===

===Buddhism===

Meditation has always been central to Buddhism. The [[Gautama Buddha|historical Buddha]] himself was said to have achieved [[Bodhi|enlightenment]] while meditating under a [[Bodhi tree]]. Most forms of Buddhism distinguish between two classes of meditation practices, [[shamatha]] and [[vipassana]], both of which are necessary for attaining enlightenment. The former consists of practices aimed at developing the ability to focus the attention single-pointedly; the latter includes practices aimed at developing insight and wisdom through seeing the true nature of reality. The differentiation between the two types of meditation practices is not always clear cut, which is made obvious when studying practices such as [[Anapanasati]] which could be said to start off as a shamatha practice but that goes through a number of stages and ends up as a vipassana practice.

Meditation has always been central to Buddhism. The [[Buddha]] himself was said to have achieved enlightenment while meditating under a [[Bodhi]] tree. Most forms of [[Buddhism]] distinguish between two classes of meditation practices, [[shamatha]] and [[vipassana]], both of which are necessary for attaining enlightenment. The former consists of practices aimed at developing the ability to focus the attention single-pointedly; the latter includes practices aimed at developing [[insight]] and [[wisdom]] through seeing the true [[nature]] of [[reality]]. The differentiation between the two types of meditation practices is not always clear cut, which is made obvious when studying practices such as [[Anapanasati]] which could be said to start off as a shamatha practice but that goes through a number of stages and ends up as a vipassana practice.

[[Theravada]] Buddhism emphasizes the meditative development of [[mindfulness]] (''sati'', see for example the ''[[Satipatthana Sutta]]'') and concentration (''[[samadhi (Buddhism)|samadhi]]'', see ''[[kammatthana]]''), as part of the [[Noble Eightfold Path]], in the pursuit of ''[[Nirvana|Nibbana]]'' (Nirvana).  Traditional popular meditation subjects include the breath (''[[anapana]]'') and loving-kindness (''[[mettā]]'').

[[Theravada]] Buddhism emphasizes the meditative development of mindfulness (''sati'', see for example the ''[[Satipatthana Sutta]]'') and concentration (''[[samadhi]]'', see ''[[kammatthana]]''), as part of the [[Noble Eightfold Path]], in the pursuit of ''[[Nirvana|Nibbana]]'' (Nirvana).  Traditional popular meditation subjects include the breath (''[[anapana]]'') and loving-kindness (''[[mettā]]'').

In Japanese [[Mahayana]] schools, [[Tendai]] (Tien-tai), concentration is cultivated through highly structured ritual. Especially in the Chinese [[Chán]] Buddhism school (which branched out into the Japanese [[Zen]], and Korean [[Seon]] schools), [[Zazen|ts'o ch'an]] meditation and [[koan]] meditation practices allow a practitioner to directly experience the true nature of [[reality]] (each of the names of these schools derives from the Sanskrit [[dhyana]], and translates into "meditation" in their respective languages). The [[esoteric]] [[Shingon]] sect shares many features with [[Tibetan Buddhism]].

In Japanese [[Mahayana]] schools, [[Tendai]] (Tien-tai), concentration is cultivated through highly [[structure]]d [[ritual]]. Especially in the Chinese [[Chán]] Buddhism school (which branched out into the Japanese [[Zen]], and Korean [[Seon]] schools), [[Zazen|ts'o ch'an]] meditation and [[koan]] meditation practices allow a practitioner to directly [[experience]] the true nature of [[reality]] (each of the names of these schools derives from the Sanskrit [[dhyana]], and translates into "meditation" in their respective languages). The [[esoteric]] [[Shingon]] sect shares many features with [[Tibetan Buddhism]].

[[Tibetan Buddhism]] ([[Vajrayana]]) emphasizes [[tantra]] for its senior practitioners; hence its alternate name of Tantrayana Buddhism. Many monks go through their day without "meditating" in a recognizable form, but are more likely to chant or participate in group liturgy. In this tradition, the purpose of meditation is to awaken the sky-like nature of mind, and to introduce practitioners to that which they really are: unchanging pure awareness, which underlies the whole of life and death.<ref name = Sogyal>Sogyal, Rinpoche (1994) ''The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying.'' Patrick Gaffney and Andrew Harvey eds. New York: Harper Collins.</ref><ref>[http://www.mandala.hr/1/groundpathfruit.html Ground, Path, and Fruition: Mind-Nature Teachings Concerning the View, Meditation, and Action of Dzogpa Chenpo, the Innate Great Perfection]. Compiled by Surya Das with Nyoshul Khenpo. Retrieved on; [[August 25]], [[2007]].</ref>

[[Tibetan Buddhism]] ([[Vajrayana]]) emphasizes [[tantra]] for its senior practitioners; hence its alternate name of Tantrayana Buddhism. Many monks go through their day without "meditating" in a recognizable form, but are more likely to chant or participate in group liturgy. In this tradition, the purpose of meditation is to awaken the sky-like nature of [[mind]], and to introduce practitioners to that which they really are: unchanging pure awareness, which underlies the whole of life and death.[http://www.mandala.hr/1/groundpathfruit.html]. Compiled by Surya Das with Nyoshul Khenpo.  

   

   

Meditation is the way to bring us back to ourselves, where we can really experience and taste our full being, beyond all habitual patterns. In the stillness and silence of meditation, we glimpse and return to that deep inner nature that we have so long ago lost sight of amid the busyness and distraction of our minds.

Meditation is the way to bring us back to ourselves, where we can really experience and taste our full being, beyond all habitual patterns. In the '''stillness''' and [[silence]] of meditation, we glimpse and return to that deep inner nature that we have so long ago lost sight of amid the busyness and distraction of our minds.

<blockquote>

<blockquote>

''The gift of learning to meditate is the greatest gift you can give yourself in this life.  For it is only through meditation that you can undertake the journey to discover your true nature, and so find the stability and confidence you will need to live, and die, well. Meditation is the road to enlightenment.''- [[Sogyal Rinpoche]], ''[[The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying]]''<ref name = Sogyal />

''The gift of learning to meditate is the greatest gift you can give yourself in this life.  For it is only through meditation that you can undertake the journey to discover your true nature, and so find the stability and confidence you will need to live, and die, well. Meditation is the road to enlightenment.''- [[Sogyal Rinpoche]], ''[[The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying]]''

</blockquote>

</blockquote>

Most [[Schools of Buddhism|Buddhist traditions]] recognize that the path to [[bodhi|Enlightenment]] entails three types of [[Threefold training|training]]: virtue (''[[sīla]]''); meditation (''citta''); and, wisdom (''[[prajna|paññā]]'').<ref>For instance, from the [[Pali Canon]], see [[Majjhima Nikaya|MN]] 44 [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.044.than.html (Thanissaro, 1998a)] and [[Anguttara Nikaya|AN]] 3:88 [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an03/an03.088.than.html (Thanissaro, 1998b).]  In Mahayana tradition, the [[Lotus Sutra]] lists the [[Paramita|Six Perfections]] (''paramita'') which echoes the threefold training with the inclusion of virtue (''[[Sila|śīla]]''), concentration (''[[Dhyana|dhyāna]]'') and wisdom (''[[Prajna|prajñā]]'').</ref> Thus, meditative prowess alone is not sufficient; it is but one part of the path.  In other words, in Buddhism, in tandem with mental cultivation, ethical development and wise understanding are also necessary for the attainment of the highest goal.<ref>Dharmacarini Manishini, ''Western Buddhist Review.'' [http://www.westernbuddhistreview.com/vol4/kamma_in_context.html]

Most Buddhist traditions recognize that the path to Enlightenment entails three types of training: virtue (''sīla''); meditation (''citta''); and, wisdom (''[[prajna|paññā]]''). For instance, from the [[Pali Canon]], see [[Majjhima Nikaya|MN]] 44 [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.044.than.html] and [[Anguttara Nikaya|AN]] 3:88 [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an03/an03.088.than.html (Thanissaro, 1998b).]  In Mahayana tradition, the [[Lotus Sutra]] lists the Six Perfections (''paramita'') which echoes the threefold training with the inclusion of virtue (''Sila|śīla''), concentration (''[[Dhyana|dhyāna]]'') and wisdom (''[[Prajna|prajñā]]'').  Thus, meditative prowess alone is not sufficient; it is but one part of the path.  In other words, in Buddhism, in tandem with mental cultivation, ethical development and wise understanding are also necessary for the attainment of the highest goal. [http://www.westernbuddhistreview.com/vol4/kamma_in_context.html]

===Christianity===

===Christianity===