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Book: Buddhism in Five Minutes

Chapter: 26. Why do Buddhists Meditate?

DOI: 10.1558/equinox.40765

Blurb:

Why would anyone want to practice meditation? The best answer comes from the life stories of the Buddha and his awakened followers. It is sometimes said that wisdom is more important than meditation in Buddhism. But wisdom, the Buddha said, needs meditation, just as meditation needs wisdom (Dhammapada verse 282). And if we look at the stories of the Buddha and his followers after their awakening, we find they all still like to practice meditation. It was not just a necessary chore on the way to enlightenment. They clearly enjoyed it, and found it was where their minds felt most at home. Perhaps that is the reason why most other Buddhists meditate too and find it so helpful for daily life.

Chapter Contributors

  • Sarah Shaw (sarah99shaw@googlemail.com - sarahshaw) 'University of Oxford'