Buddhadasa Bhikkhu’s Anapanasati is based on the Anapanasati Sutra, the sutra dealing with mindfulness on the breath. The sutra appears in the Majhimanikaya (The "Middle-length" Discourses) and is an important theme of the meditation method that is a section of the Mahasatipatthana Sutra. Buddhadasa Bhikkhu explained the Anapanasati Sutra in a practical way which is easily understood.The Anapanasati Sutra begins by training one’s mind to be calm (samatha) and follows that by cultivating wisdom (vipassana). It explains how to practise meditation in sixteen stages. The first three stages explain about the primary preparation for meditation practice, how to sit in meditation and how to breathe for concentration. The next three sections talk about how to contemplate feelings, mind, and Dhammas during meditation. The explanations are a guide for us to upgrade our spiritual understanding.
This chapter will explain samatha practice and vipassana practice. Practitioners can choose whether to practice samatha or vipassana first. If they choose to practice samatha, they should practice until they reach a calm state and then start to practise vipassana. Alternatively, they can start practising vipassana at once.
Documents by same teacher:
Walking Meditation - Buddhadasa Bhikkhu's Guide
The Practice of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu’s Anapanasati
Buddhadasa Bhikkhu a Biography
The Enlightened Path - Buddhadasa Bhikkhu
Translation by: Ven. Thanissaro Bhikku
