What should one meditate upon as a beginner? (Bhavana for Laypeople)What should one meditate upon as a beginner?
I am planning to start meditation.
As a beginner , what things I should meditate upon from the Buddha's perspective?
Venerable members of the Sangha,
walking in front Fellows in leading the holly life.
![Sadhu, bow _/\_](https://forum.sangham.net/Smileys/sangham/sadhu_sangham_sw.gif)
In Respect of the Triple Gems, Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, in Respect of the Elders of the community
![Sadhu, bow _/\_](https://forum.sangham.net/Smileys/sangham/sadhu_sangham_sw.gif)
, my person tries to answer this question. Please, may all knowledgeable Venerables and Dhammika, out of compassion, correct my person, if something is not correct and fill also graps, if something is missing.
Valued Upasaka, Upasika, Aramika(inis),
dear Readers and Visitors,
![Sangha gift *sgift*](https://forum.sangham.net/Smileys/sangham/sanghagift_sangham_sw.gif)
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Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā-sambuddhassa ![](https://forum.sangham.net/Themes/sangham/images/arrow.gif)
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(This is a maybe modified and expanded answer of the "original" that can be found
here ![](https://forum.sangham.net/Themes/sangham/images/arrow.gif)
.)
That's like asking "what should I eat".
If liking to taste, here are the 40 meals, or better working places:
Kammaṭṭhāna ![](https://forum.sangham.net/Themes/sangham/images/arrow.gif)
For which one might be good for your tendency it would be best to look after a skilled meditation teacher but generally the ten recollections, best starting from below (and develope proper perception for them) are fine for one living at home, as well as the Brahma-viharas, later on.
What ever might be pleasing for the mind to go with it best possible without much laps.
I am just a beginner...Just give me high priority 4-5 things to meditate upon.
First three
recollections ![](https://forum.sangham.net/Themes/sangham/images/arrow.gif)
are of the virtues of the Three Jewels:
(1)
Buddha(2)
Dharma(3)
SanghaNext three are recollections of the virtues of:
(4)
morality (Śīla)
(5)
liberality (cāga)
(6)
one's virtues (like the Devas)
Suttas in regard of them:
Recollections ![](https://forum.sangham.net/Themes/sangham/images/arrow.gif)
It would be good to ask first and likewise for
Refuge ![](https://forum.sangham.net/Themes/sangham/images/arrow.gif)
and for the
precepts ![](https://forum.sangham.net/Themes/sangham/images/arrow.gif)
first, taking them, best from a Monk or Nun, Dheeraj Verma.
(If having no access, but serious and having patient, one might be always
welcome for such online ![](https://forum.sangham.net/Themes/sangham/images/arrow.gif)
.)
Mudita & Anumodana
...As he was sitting there he said to the Blessed One: "I have heard that many monks are at work making robes for the Blessed One, [thinking], 'When the robes are finished, at the end of the three months, the Blessed One will set out wandering.' For those of us living by means of various dwelling places [for the mind], by means of which dwelling place should we live?"
"Excellent, Mahanama, excellent! It is fitting for clansmen like you to approach the Tathagata and ask, 'For those of us living by means of various dwelling places [for the mind], by means of which dwelling place should we live?'
"One who is aroused to practice is one of conviction, not without conviction. One aroused to practice is one with persistence aroused, not lazy. One aroused to practice is one of established mindfulness, not muddled mindfulness. One aroused to practice is centered in concentration, not uncentered. One aroused to practice is discerning, not undiscerning.
"Established in these five qualities, you should further develop six qualities:
[1] "There is the case where you recollect the Tathagata: 'Indeed,...
[2] "Furthermore, there is the case where you recollect the Dhamma: 'The Dhamma is ...
[3] "Furthermore, there is the case where you recollect the Sangha: 'The Sangha of the Blessed One's disciples...
[4] "Furthermore, there is the case where you recollect your own virtues: '[They are] untorn, unbroken, ...
[5] "Furthermore, there is the case where you recollect your own generosity: 'It is a gain, a great gain for me, that...
[6] "Furthermore, you should recollect the devas: 'There are the Devas...
...further read ![](https://forum.sangham.net/Themes/sangham/images/arrow.gif)