To Understand Buddhism - The Paramita of Deep Concentration

The Paramita of Deep Concentration

The fifth Paramita is deep concentration, which includes the concentration levels realms is comprised of eight levels. If we succeed in our cultivation of them, we will be born into the higher heavens. Beyond the heavenly realms, deep concentration is found in the realms of Arhats and Mahayana Bodhisattvas. Finally, the highest level of concentration is that practiced by all Buddhas. The key to all methods of practice lies in deep concentration.

It is a mistake to think that only Zen Buddhism practices deep concentration. Pure Land Buddhism uses Buddha Name Chanting to concentrate the mind. Tiantai Buddhism practices tranquility and contemplation, which is another form of deep concentration. Ti" betan Buddhism uses the Three Mystic Practices, the three karmas of body, mouth, mind cor" responding to those of the Buddha. So, although different schools use different terms, they all practice deep concentration. Therefore, in the Six Paramitas, concentration encom" passes the above forms as well as all the phenomena in our daily lives.

What is this concentration? Being the master of our mind. We have goals, which will never be changed or influenced by the environment. Scientist succeeds in their research because they do not allow themselves to be distracted by other concerns. So they attain a scientific concentration. When we successfully practice the Buddha Name Chanting Method, we will attain the Buddha Name Chanting Samadhi, as did Master Di-Xian s student. If we are able to endure, we will become patient and thus be able to persevere and pro" gress and thus attain deep concentration, which is the essence of our practice.

In the Platform Sutra, the Sixth Patriarch Master Hui-Neng explained that deep concen" tration was more than just sitting in meditation. He himself reached awakening upon listen" ing to the Diamond Sutra. Therefore, all of his lectures were based on the principles in this su" tra. He said that meditation is not being attached to any phenomena. Concentration is sus" taining the mind of tranquility. In the Diamond Sutra, Buddha Shakyamuni taught the proper external form, do not be moved .

The Flower Adornment Sutra tells us of the fifty-three visits of Sudhana. When Sudhana went to visit Yuxiang, a venerable sage who practiced deep concentration, the boy could not find the old man. Where was he? The sage was not found to be sitting in meditation at home or in the temple. He was found roaming around a market. What was he doing there? Maintaining the mind of tranquility by practicing deep concentration and the principle of not attaching to phenomena. He was not sitting cross-legged facing a wall for hours, a posi" tion we often admire. We often find ourselves looking down on the Master of deep concen" tration whom we see bustling around in excitement. We do not yet realize that such a Mas" ter has reached a much higher level of attainment than the practitioner we may see in the lotus position. A higher level of deep concentration or Samadhi can exist in all acts.

Why is deep concentration so important? Why did the Buddha caution us to stay away from form and to remain unmoved in our heart? Because all phenomena are illusory, like dreams, bubbles and shadows. The Buddha sees through everything and urges us not to give rise to any discriminatory thoughts and attachments. If we can do so, then we will un" cover our true self-nature and attain the Buddha's understanding of all things in the universe. This is the Paramita of Wisdom.