The Five Meditations

This text discusses the five meditations that are the focus of the book “The Way of Meditation” by Chogyam Trungpa.

The first group of these, the four rupa-dhyanas, were a subject of the last chapter. The four arupa-dhyanas are also not specifically Hinayana but, as with the first group, are the common attainment of Buddhists and non-Buddhists.

Before one hears the preaching of the Buddha and comes to know the Four Noble Truths, one may practice these concentrations, though they will have but limited value. After one hears the Hinayana teachings and obtains as a result right view, then there will be no questions in the mind about the whereabouts of consciousness or the infinity of space.

The practice of the Hinayana concentrations leads one to go beyond them, for the result of such practice is the ninth stage (Arhatship), not merely the eighth (the realm of neither perception nor non-perception, the highest arupa-dhyana). This attainment lies outside the subject of the present chapter so we must move on.

Questions

• Why are the twelve dhyanas not included in this book?
• What are the four boundless minds?
• What is the result of practicing the Hinayana concentrations?

Answers

• The twelve dhyanas are not included in this book because they are not specifically Hinayana. They are the common attainment of Buddhists and non-Buddhists.
• The four boundless minds are infinite in compassion, loving-kindness, joy, and equanimity.
• The result of practicing the Hinayana concentrations is the ninth stage (Arhatship).