Number of times the Brahmavihāra Meditation Practice vs
Mindfulness of Breathing in Majjhima Nikāya suttas
The Buddha spoke of using the Brahmavihāra practice quite a bit more than using the breathing practice contrary what most meditation practitioners have been led to believe. The Brahmavihāra practice was taught by the Buddha, not as a side practice as most think, but as a primary practice to lead the meditator to the goal of awakening.
Researched: Majjhima Nikāya translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi and Ñāṇamoli – Wisdom Pub. 1995
Mindfulness of Breathing – (Ānāpānasati) — Four Suttas
*searched “mindfulness of breathing”
Found in Sutta No.
*searched “mindfulness of breathing”
Brahmavihāra Practice - 12 Suttas
METHODOLOGY
Mindfulness of Breathing (Ānāpānasati -only once as a title)
*searched “mindfulness of breathing” 4 suttas
Brahmavihāra Practice - 12 suttas found
*searched “pervading one quarter”
also *searching ”loving-kindness”
*searching "abided in, pervading"
Eliminated where lovingkindness was used in treating someone with lovingindness etc. Not mentioned as a practice
(Note:the word Brahmavihara not found itself in the sutta text)
Note: There should be many more instances in the Samyutta Nikaya of the Brahmavihāras --
to be researched soon
David Johnson
Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center
May 30, 2016
Mindfulness of Breathing in Majjhima Nikāya suttas
The Buddha spoke of using the Brahmavihāra practice quite a bit more than using the breathing practice contrary what most meditation practitioners have been led to believe. The Brahmavihāra practice was taught by the Buddha, not as a side practice as most think, but as a primary practice to lead the meditator to the goal of awakening.
Researched: Majjhima Nikāya translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi and Ñāṇamoli – Wisdom Pub. 1995
Mindfulness of Breathing – (Ānāpānasati) — Four Suttas
*searched “mindfulness of breathing”
Found in Sutta No.
- #10 Satipatthana Sutta: The Foundations of Mindfulness
- 62 Maharahulovada Sutta: The Greater Discourse of Advice to
- 118 Anapanasati Sutta: Mindfulness of Breathing
- 119 Kayagatasati Sutta: Mindfulness of the Body
*searched “mindfulness of breathing”
Brahmavihāra Practice - 12 Suttas
- 7 Vatthupama Sutta: The Simile of the Cloth
- 21 Kakacttpama Sutta: The Simile of the Saw
- 40 Cula-Assapura Sutta: The Shorter Discourse at Assapura
- 43 Mahavedalla Sutta: The Greater Series of Questions and Answers
- 50 Maratajjamya Sutta: The Rebuke to Mara
- 52 Atthakanagara Sutta: The Man from Atthakanagara
- 55 Jivaka Sutta: To Jivaka
- 62 Maharahulovada Sutta: The Greater Discourse of Advice to Rahula
- 83 Makhadeva Sutta: King Makhadeva
- 97 Dhananjani Sutta: To Dhananjani
- 99 Subha Sutta: To Subha
- 127 Anuruddha Sutta: Anuruddha
METHODOLOGY
Mindfulness of Breathing (Ānāpānasati -only once as a title)
*searched “mindfulness of breathing” 4 suttas
Brahmavihāra Practice - 12 suttas found
*searched “pervading one quarter”
also *searching ”loving-kindness”
*searching "abided in, pervading"
Eliminated where lovingkindness was used in treating someone with lovingindness etc. Not mentioned as a practice
(Note:the word Brahmavihara not found itself in the sutta text)
Note: There should be many more instances in the Samyutta Nikaya of the Brahmavihāras --
to be researched soon
David Johnson
Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center
May 30, 2016
