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                               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.
  • #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
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