Encyclopaedia of Buddhism: A World Faith, Volume 7: Vipassana Meditation

The introductory chapter treats meditation through a wide range of interrelated themes, including self-control, awareness, equanimity, desirelessness, death, the Middle Way, right understanding, mindfulness, and the nature of consciousness. It argues that genuine meditation is not repression, mechanical concentration, or withdrawal from life, but a process of becoming aware without judgment or attachment. The discussion further distinguishes ordinary discursive thought from meditative awareness and emphasizes the Middle Path as a balance between extremes. 

Subsequent chapters move from these conceptual foundations toward the practical and doctrinal study of meditation. They examine obstacles to practice, the path to enlightenment, Vipassanā as a distinctive contribution of the Buddha, insight meditation, the relationship between wisdom and suffering, śamatha–vipassanā, mettā, mantra and tantra, Mahāyāna and Hinayāna meditation, Zen, yoga, samādhi, mindfulness, concentration, spiritual discipline, compassion, and the cultivation of pure consciousness. The volume concludes with an appendix containing the Patañjali Yoga Sūtra in Romanized Sanskrit and English.

Table of Contents

• Introduction

• Stanic Hurdles

• Way to Enlightenment

• Vipassana: Buddha’s Distinct Contribution to the World Culture

• Insight Meditation

• Vipassana: Insight Into Truth of Suffering

• Vipassana Meditation: A Step Towards Happiness

• Insight Vipassana, The Mindfulness

• Overcome Restlessness Through Vipassana

• Samatha & Vipassana

• Samatha Meditation

• Metta Meditation

• Essence of Meditation in Dzogchen Practice

• Universal Love

• The Transcendental Love With God

• Aim of Meditation

• Lotus Sutra, The Philosophy of Life

• Truth is Panacea For Ills of Life

• Intonations of Mystical Potency

• Meditation Doctrine in Hinayana

• Doctrine of Meditation in Mahayana

• Mantrism Synonym of Vajrayana

• Esoteric Doctrine

• Buddhism Better Known as Mantrism

• Mantra Protects Through Purification of Mind

• Yantra, Mantra & Tantra

• Japa & Meditation

• Prayer & Meditation

• Meditation On God

• Karma Yoga

• Ego Free Living

• The Highest Spiritual Discipline

• Foundation to Build Spiritual Edifice

• Bodhisattva Deeds

• Bodhisattva Traditions

• Meditate and Be Compassionate

• Pure Consciousness

• Be Natural

• On Your Path, Be A Light

• Meditation & Samadhi

• The Science of Reality

• Sila Samadhi & Prajna

• Symbol Worship, Preparatory To Meditation

• No Mind Means Pure Mind

• Freedom Contains All

• Dharma Wish Fulfilling Tree

• Spiritual Enlightenment & Meditation

• Contentment is Meditation

• Meditation in Bhaktiyoga

• Meditation: A Gentle System of Healing

• Self Sacrifice Means Surrender

• Redemption through Self

• Eternal Quest & The Desires

• Unending Waves of Desire & Death

• Kalchakra: Wheel of Time

• Bhavachakra

• The Aura & Chakra

• Silence is more Eloquent

• True Nature of All Phenomena

• A Sensitive Conscious

• Mahamudra Realisation

• Meditation: Indifference to mind

• Peace of Mind: A Way of Life

• Penetration and Filtration Process of Meditation

• The Enlightened

• The Fundamental Teaching of Quran Universalisation In Belief

• Appraisal & Sum Up