Meditation

Religious Studies A: AQA GCSE Religions, topic 1.2.4

Meditation is the primary practice of a Buddhist, with the aim of transforming their minds to a state of clearer vision and ultimate peace.

Metta bhavana (loving kindness) is concerned with developing kindness, repeating phrases like 'may you be happy'.
Vipassana meditation is an insight into what the true nature of our reality is. In the Theravada tradition, it is an insight into the Three Marks of Existence: impermanence, suffering and the realisation of non-self.

Mindfulness breathing is found in Tibetan, Zen and Theravada. Buddha taught people to sit beneath a tree and notice the breath, which helps in training the mind to be sensitive and focused.
Zazen is seated meditation, practised in Zen Buddhism, as a means of insight into the nature of existence. There are two schools:
Studying Koan, a puzzle with no solution showing how inadequate logical reasoning is, leading to enlightenment.
Where the mind has no object at all.

In the Amitayus Meditation Sutra, the Buddha describes to the imprisoned Queen Vaidehi the thirteen visualisation methods corresponding to the levels of rebirth.
Contemplation of:
the setting sun.
the expanse of water.
the ground in the Pure Land.
trees in the Pure Land.
ponds in the Pure Land.
various objects in the Pure Land.
lots- throne of the Buddha.
the image of Amitabha Buddha.
Amitabha Buddha.
Avalokitesvara.
Mahasthamaprapta.
the aspirants to the Pure Land.
Amitabha and the two bodhisattvas.

The final part of the sutra is when Gautama Buddha categorises the nine levels of those born in the Pure Land.
The highest grade, the middle grade and the lowest grade, all have within them:
highest level.
middle level.
lowest level.

Chanting

Chanting is the traditional means of preparing the individual's mind for meditation.

'Mind precedes all knowables, mind’s their chief, mind-made are they. If with a corrupted mind one should either speak or act dukkha follows caused by that, as does the wheel the ox’s hoof. Mind precedes all knowables, mind’s their chief, mind-made are they. If with a clear, and confident mind one should speak and act as one’s shadow ne’er departing.' (Dhammapada 1-2)

'He who has gone for refuge to the Buddha, the Teaching and his Order, penetrates with transcendental wisdom the Four Noble Truths — suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the Noble Eightfold Path leading to the cessation of suffering'.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is the name for the Lotus Sutra in the Japanese Buddhist tradition.
In the Japaenese school, the Lotus Sutra is believed to be a culmination of 50 years of the Buddha's teaching.