Kasiṇa
kasiṇa (Pali; Skt. *kṛtsna; T. zad par gyi skye mched; C. bianchu 遍處), in Pali literature, is a "visualization device" that is used in meditation practice to focus the "totality" of the mind's attention on a specific object of concentration.[1]
The ten kasiṇa
Ten kasiṇa are commonly enumerated:[1][2]
- The four great elements:
- 1. earth (paṭhavī)
- 2. water (āpo)
- 3. fire (tejo)
- 4. air/wind (vāyo)
- The colors of:
- 5. blue (nīla)
- 6. yellow (pīta)
- 7. red (lohita)
- 8. white (odāta)
- Two additional:
- 9. light
- 10. empty space
These ten kasiṇa are the first ten in a list of forty meditation objects (kammaṭṭhāna) presented in the Visuddhimagga.
Meditation based on kasiṇa
In meditating on these devices:
- The earth device, for example, might be constructed from a circle of clay of even texture, the water device from a tub of water, and the red device from a piece of red cloth or a painted red disc.[1]
One begins the meditation by looking at the physical object. The meditator memorizes the object and then focuses on a mental image of the object. After gaining stability with the mental image, the meditator is able to focus on the abstract qualities of the image. This type of meditation allows one to progress through stages of meditative absorption.[1]
This type of meditation appears to have been widely known among various Buddhist schools in India at one time. For example, Asanga makes reference to kasiṇas in the Samāhitabhūmi section of his Yogācārabhūmi.[3]
Meditation based on kasiṇa has not been widely taught by modern Theravada teachers in the West.[1][4] However, the practice is taught by contemporary meditation teacher Beth Upton, based on the teachings of the Burmese teacher Pa Auk Sayadaw.[4]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Buswell & Lopez 2014, s.v. kasiṇa.
- ↑ Ten kasina are described in the Visuddhimagga, and also mentioned in the following texts of the Pali Canon: A.v.36, A.v.46-60, M.ii.14; D.iii.268, 290; Nett.89, 112; Dhs.202; Ps.i.6, 95
- ↑ Buddhist Insight: Essays by Alex Wayman. Motilal Banarsidass: 1984, pg 76
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Developing the light kasina, Beth Upton on YouTube
Sources
Buswell, Robert E.; Lopez, Donald S. (2014), The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism, Princeton University- Wayman Alex (1984), Buddhist Insight: Essays by Alex Wayman. Motilal Banarsidass
Further study
- Choosing a meditation object, Beth Upton on YouTube
- Developing the light kasina, Beth Upton on YouTube
- Developing meditation on the elements kasina, Beth Upton on YouTube