Physical Impediments to

Meditation

M e d i t a t i o n a n d M i n d C u l t u r e

Presented by

Ven. B Dhammarama

200 Level

Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy

Content

Introduction

What is Meditation

Impediments of Meditation

Physical Impediments

Conclusion

References

What is Meditation

The method of developing or

cultivating concentration

associated with the noble path

is called Meditation or

Bhavana. The purpose of

Buddhist meditation is to gain

more than an intellectual

understanding of the reality and

to liberate from both ignorance

and craving.

Impediments of Meditation

• Dwelling (single inner room, hut or monastery)

• Family (family consisting of relatives)

• Gain (association with people)

• Class (group of students)

• Building (new building work)

• Travel (going on a journey)

• Kin (teacher, preceptor, co-resident)

• Affliction (any kind of illness)

• Books (responsibility for scriptures)

• Supernormal powers (impediment for insight)

According to Visuddhimagga there are ten kinds of impediments

Physical Impediments

Pitta, semha, vāta samuṭṭhāṇā ābādhā

Disorders arise from, bile, phlegm, air.

Sannipātikā ābādhā

Disorders on account of all three

Utuparināmajā ābādhā

Disorders on account of the change of seasons.

Visamaparihārajā ābādhā

On account of doing unusual work.

Kammavipākajā ābādhā

Disorders born of the results of actions.

Opakkamikā ābādhā

On account of Sudden attacks of pain.

According to Girimananda Sutta there are eight cardinal sections

Conclusion

“Monks, doctors give a purgative for warding off diseases caused by

bile, phlegm and the internal wind. Thus, I will teach you the noble

purgative…”

Virecana Sutta (AN)

Among the impediments of meditation physical obstacles are very

much essential to awaken and overcome. When examining the

prerequisites of meditation, there is a main fact goes to the degree of

well physical body. Therefore, the physical impediments should be

overcome before to start meditation by meditator.

References

Primary Sources

Girimananda Sutta, Anguttara Nikaya.

Bhikkhu Nanamoli, Visuddhimagga (page 87-93).

Secondary Sources

Virecana Sutta, Anguttara Nikaya.