Dhamma Letter No. 124

Satipatthana 41: Objects of Meditation (Paññatti & Paramaṭṭha) 2

Mar 7, 2023

The purpose of meditation is insight into the truth. Because the truth sets us free. The practice of insight is called vipassana meditation. The discussion of the two meditations (Samatha Meditation and Vipassana Meditation) previously suggested by the Buddha is also whether they are aimed at Paññatti (concepts, fixed things) or Paramaṭṭha (natural nature).

Samatha meditation is concentration on a fixed object (Paññatti). Through this, you can cut off your consciousness of the outside world and take in the stillness. Vipassana meditation sees the world with an open mind and sees ultimate reality as it is, understanding that all objects change but nothing is fixed (Paramaṭṭha). As a result, you can continuously maintain an egoless equanimity of mind.

In the theory of purity, 40 themes are presented as objects of samatha meditation. In Abhidhamma, the ultimate reality, which is the object of Vipassana meditation, is classified into four types (mind, mind action, materiality, and nirvana).

Samatha meditation and Vipassana meditation are interactive, not separate. However, in the end, through insight wisdom, they reach the state of nirvana by targeting nirvana.

Therefore, Vipassana meditation, which penetrates the impermanent (Anicca) and selfless-self (Anatta) through the body and mind, can be said to be the only way to reach Nirvana.

Depending on each person's state of practice, samatha meditation can be done first, or vipassana meditation can be started first. At first, it is difficult to distinguish between concept and reality, so it is difficult to see the reality as Paramaṭṭha as an object. Just as it is impossible to live without concepts in living life, at first the idea, which is Paññatti, becomes the object. As your practice deepens, you will notice the natural nature of Paññatti, and Paramaṭṭha, the natural principle itself, will become your object. There is no suffering, there is only the understood phenomena and awareness, without any me.

To meditate is to maintain the relationship between the two elements, the mind and the object. Thus, the ultimate state of Nirvana is the disappearance of the object as previously described (a-nimitta: no object). Therefore, the theorem of Paññatti & Paramaṭṭha, which is the subject of meditation, is an essential part to be understood, so it was discussed in advance before starting the observation of the mind and the observation of the dhamma in the next process.

To be continued…

With Metta,

Ayyā Kosallā Vipassinī
Edited by Euna Bonovich

If you have any questions related to dhamma & meditation, please feel free to ask. You can reach Ayya Kosalla directly at Bhikkhuni.Kosalla@gmail.com.

법에 대한 질문이 있으신 분은 위의 이메일 주소로 질문을 남겨주세요.

위빠사나명상의 마음관찰에 대한 논문을 한글 원본으로 읽고 싶으신 분은 클릭해서 다운로드 받을 수 있습니다. (네이버에 PDF 첨부)

The Korean Dhamma Letter is here 담마레터.

Buddha Sāsanaṁ Ciraṁ Tiṭṭhatu!
May the Buddha’s teachings last a long time!

Bhavatu Sabba Sotiṁ ca Maṅgalaṁ ca!!
May everyone be led on the path of peace and blessing!!

Sādhu Sādhu Sādhu !