Co-Working Peocess of Concentration and Wisdom in Meditation Practice
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Abstract
The research article consisted of the following objectives: 1) to study the working process of concentration in meditation practice; 2) to study the working process of wisdom in meditation practice; and 3) to study the co-working process of concentration and wisdom in meditation practice. The study applied a qualitative research method by way of documentary research and in-depth interview. The key informants were experts and specialists in the field of meditation practice, in a total of 10 persons.
From the study, it is found that samādhi means concentration, tranquility. Concentration in meditation practice is the working process of the mind that is developed from mental distraction to non-mental distraction, that is to say, the mind that is engrossed in one thing. Paññā means wisdom, insight. Wisdom in meditation practice is the state in which the mind realizes things as they really are. Meditation practice can be divided into 3 ways: concentration preceded by wisdom; wisdom preceded by concentration; and concentration and wisdom in association. The teaching of meditation in Thai society is divided into 3 groups: 1) The co-working process of concentration preceded by wisdom consisting of 3 lineages which are “Buddho” lineage, “Samma-arahang” lineage, and “Ānāpānasati” lineage. All these 3 lineages focus on the practice of concentration preceded by wisdom as the way of teaching; 2) The co-working process of wisdom preceded by concentration which is “Yoob-nho, Pong-nho” lineage which focuses on the foundations of mindfulness in observing the inflation and deflation of the abdomen; and 3) The co-working process of concentration and wisdom in association, that is, the contemplation the materiality and mentality (rūpa-nāma). Each lineage has a different starting approach in practice in order for each practitioner to choose the one that is appropriate for them. Although both concentration and wisdom are related to one another and working together, they have different functions; therefore, the practitioner can choose to develop concentration first in order to have a concentrated mind and followed by developing wisdom in order to realize things as they really are until the mind is free from attachments; or to develop concentration and wisdom in association; all of which have the same goal, that is, to let go of all attachments resulting in liberation.
Keywords: Concentration; Wisdom; Meditation
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