The first point is the outer condition the basis for practicing
shamatha and vipashyana. This is to have a proper place to
meditate, a place without obstacles. For example, in some places
people are prejudiced against meditators, which can create
problems. The best place for meditation is one that is blessed by
great meditators of the past. We also need certain inner conditions
to meditate properly. The first quality is to not be too attached
to outer sense objects and not so concerned about getting what we
want. We simply should have few desires.
The second quality is to be satisfied or content with the situation
we have. How to encourage these two qualities can be illustrated by
how parents talk to their children about meditation. If the parents
are good practitioners, they will encourage their children by
saying, "Try not to be too ambitious. Don't strive too much for
outer things. Be content and be satisfied with what you have. In
this way you will be able to practice meditation. Otherwise you'll
be wasting your time." Parents who do not practice meditation give
the opposite advice: "You should strive very hard and be very
ambitious. You should try to become very rich and get ahead.
Acquire property and hold on to it. Otherwise you'll be wasting
your time." So we can see here how to encourage these qualities
properly.
The third quality is not to be involved in too many activities or
responsibilities. If we are too busy, then we will not be able to
practice meditation.
The fourth quality is to have good conduct. This means that we
avoid negative actions which bring harm to others. All Buddhist
vows are concerned with avoiding actions that produce negative
karma. There are different kinds of vows, those of a layperson, a
novice monk, a fully ordained monk, and a Bodhisattva. When lay
people practice meditation, it is good to have taken the
five-layperson vows, which in Sanskrit are called the upasaka vows.
These are to avoid killing, stealing, lying, harming others
sexually, and drinking alcohol and taking drugs.
Since our main practice is the Bodhisattva path, it is important to
take the Bodhisattva Vow, which can be practiced as a layperson.
Monks and nuns also take the Bodhisattva Vow. Both lay and monastic
practitioners can combine the practice of a Bodhisattva with the
upasaka vows. For example, Marpa the translator was a lay
Bodhisattva, whereas the Indian master Nagarjuna was a monk
Bodhisattva. Both were enlightened.
Now we will discuss the requirements for practicing vipashyana. It
is essential to follow and rely on a proper teacher, someone who
can explain the teachings correctly. In the Theravada tradition a
teacher must be able to explain meditation on selflessness from his
own experience. In the Mahayana tradition a teacher must have an
understanding of emptiness--the Madhyamaka or Middle Way
teachings-and be able to explain it clearly.
The second quality for practicing vipashyana is to properly
analyze the teachings we have received. If we have received
Mahayana teachings on emptiness, then we should study different
commentaries and receive instructions from our teacher on how to
understand them. We then need to analyze and contemplate these
teachings and instructions, which will greatly benefit our
vipashyana practice.
The Bodhisattva Vow
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=50
Benefits of Meditation
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=67
View, meditation and conduct
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=54
Calm Abiding and Insight Meditation
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=53
Meditation of the Theravada and Mahayana Traditions
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=55
Four Ways of the Wise
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=49
Atisha Seven Points of Mind Training
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=65
Learning to see
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=52
Refuge in The Three Jewels
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=59
Ngondro, the Preliminary Practices
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=61
Enlightenment is within you
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=56
Qualities of A Guru
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=14
Seven points on meditation
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=68
Mastering the mind
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=62
Meditation on Love and Compassion
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=51
Points on Choosing A Buddhist Teacher
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=109
3 main approaches in Buddhism
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=58
Learning to see
http://www.shamarpa.org/index.php?id=52