Dhamma Letter No. 92

Satipatthana 16 : Kayanupassana 7 : Anapanasati 호흡 마음챙김 4

Mindfulness of Breathing 4

There are many variations of this breathing meditation. A very basic one is to focus on the sensation of the breath when you can feel it brush against the tip of your nose, and to be keenly aware of the entire breath; both in-breath and out-breath are to be watched from beginning through the middle to the very end. This awareness can also be found through the abdomen as it rises and falls with each breath. Another way is by using simple two-syllable mantras like "bud-dho" may be used as an aid, or counting numbers on each breath for beginners.

In this way, if you observe the breathing in and out as you see it, the deeper your concentration, the more you will come to know the actual phenomena and their causes in the bodies, the disappearances and their causes, and the phenomena of life and death and their causes clearly. Also, the more you take care of your breathing, the more you realize that your body is merely a medium for nurturing pure knowledge and mindfulness, and that there is no eternal reality in it. As wisdom rises, cravings and personal opinions disappear, and they live without dependence or attachment to anything in this world. (DN 22)

After six years of asceticism, the Buddha began to meditate on breathing again, remembering the comfortable state he experienced through breathing meditation while sitting under the shade of a tree at an agricultural ceremony as a child.

Through his breathing meditation, the Buddha attained the state of nirvana, where all defilements were removed, and achieved enlightenment. And at the end of his life, he also practiced breathing meditation.

After entering the first jhana (禪) and insight with wisdom, then entering the second jhana, again insight through wisdom, then entering the third jhana and insight through wisdom, and then after entering the fourth in this way. Like this, Samādhi (定) and Paññā (慧) were cultivated at the same time (定慧雙修).

The breathing meditation has many benefits. In this way, I hope that everyone will be free from all suffering through the practice of breathing. It cites the words of the Buddha, which can serve as a practical example for Buddhist practice. I hope to light the inner lamp of each person through practical meditation.

“Bhikkhus, make yourselves an island, make yourself a refuge, and do not stay with others as a refuge. Let the Dhamma be your island, and the Dhamma as your refuge, and do not let others be your refuge.

Bhikkhus, those who do not make themselves an island, not a refuge for themselves, and not one who do not make the Dhamma an island by abiding in others. We have to look closely at how the source of ‘worry, lamentation, physical pain, mental pain, and despair' arises." - Attadīpasutta (SN 22:43)

To be continued…

May you be free from any suffering through Sati practice!

May you understand all phenomena in Dhamma for your peace!

May all practice well and reach to Magga (道, the path of enlightenment) and Phala (果, the fruit of enlightenment)!

with Metta,

Ayyā Kosallā
Edited by Euna Bonovich 

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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.

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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 !