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which do you think is most important - 'Regular Meditation' or learning the 'Teaching of Buddhism'

zenmystezenmyste Veteran
edited May 2012 in Buddhism Basics
Of course people need both. But I have also read (even on here) that many 'buddhists' don't meditate and others have said 'meditation' is all they do ..

So for 'you personally' what is more important to in regards 'self realization'

Meditation or listening to teaching..

Comments

  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    I think one is essential, the other is initially optional, but in the end, unavoidable.
  • personperson Don't believe everything you think The liminal space Veteran
    edited May 2012
    Tough question. I don't think I can really say one is more important than the other. Learning is like knowing the road to take and meditation is like walking the road. Which is more important knowing where you're going while sitting at home or walking around without direction?
  • howhow Veteran Veteran
    Same as federica
    Like a left and right leg, you can choose to hop along with only one but why?
  • taiyakitaiyaki Veteran
    Depends. The teaching is always in this instant. The various sounds, smells, tastes, etc.

    Each moment is the invitation for us to relax and open up to.

    The teachings and meditation are tools used to bring us back to this immediate moment.
  • cazcaz Veteran United Kingdom Veteran
    Both are essential. We need to study authentic teachings and commentaries so we know how to correct mistakes and keep the mind steady, Without study and contemplation when our meditation shall be less powerful then it could be.
  • SabreSabre Veteran
    Both are important, but for me meditation is more important because that is where the challenges are. Also I have the idea I already heard all of the teachings (rarely hear or read anything new), but still need to internalize them.
  • ZeroZero Veteran
    When youre meditating, meditation is most important.

    When learning teachings, learning teachings is most important.
  • Floating_AbuFloating_Abu Veteran
    Of course people need both. But I have also read (even on here) that many 'buddhists' don't meditate and others have said 'meditation' is all they do ..

    So for 'you personally' what is more important to in regards 'self realization'

    Meditation or listening to teaching..
    Hi zenmyste

    The only reason anyone should even both to learn the teachings of Buddhism IMO is just a general framework or guide for the practice.

    It is said that "The Tathagatas can only point the way" - It is up to each and every individual to do the real work.

    This is just the way.

    Meditation is one part of the Eightfold Path. Most people who don't do it is because it is easier to argue, dissect, cry or laugh than to fold the legs, sit down and watch the breath or mind.

    IOW it is a kind of droney work. Far better be it to talk about understandings or share barbs over theory than to do the work.

    There is no difference at the end of the day for those whom meditate and apply the Eightfold/the Four Noble Truths with "learning the teachings"

    And that is because - one of the beautiful potentialities of the practice is - that the learnings come from your own heart/mind. i.e. specifically - you learn through practice, meditation and experience - the very same insights and teachings of Gautama Buddha or those that came after him.

    People on forums usually read a lot but for myself, I have always enjoyed learning and being delighted at the learnings - far from the theory or the words. Then, one comes to insights through one's own meditation and daily life that is only affirmed by the words of suttas, or great teachers and Masters in Buddhism.

    It is a delightful process if one is so inclined..although sometimes it is also challenging.

    The other point I would make is - meditation is encouraged and focussed BECAUSE the greed, hatred and delusion of sentient beings is extremely strong and ingrained. Without a very strong balancing foundation of daily and consistent meditation practice, one is more likely to be fooling themself than to be following the insights of the Buddha.

    This is just how it is yet I believe most people probably do not meditate consistently or at a depth capable of genuine realisations.

    I could be wrong, and hope I am on this point.

    Well wishes,
    Abu
  • seeker242seeker242 Zen Florida, USA Veteran
    Zen Answer: Actual meditation is 100 times more important. :)
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    Trungpa Rinpoche said that if the only aspect of the path were meditation we would become ego-maniacs
  • enkoenko Explorer
    I think if you meditate and cultivate your buddha nature.....you end up living the teachings anyway whether you learn about them or not
  • ozenozen
    Trungpa Rinpoche said that if the only aspect of the path were meditation we would become ego-maniacs
    That explains a lot. :)
  • Invincible_summerInvincible_summer Heavy Metal Dhamma We(s)t coast, Canada Veteran
    Of course people need both. But I have also read (even on here) that many 'buddhists' don't meditate and others have said 'meditation' is all they do ..

    So for 'you personally' what is more important to in regards 'self realization'

    Meditation or listening to teaching..
    Just because many nominally Buddhist people (mainly in Asian countries) don't meditate doesn't mean it's useless. When a religion is part of one's culture, one tends to take it for granted and not necessarily view it the same way as an outsider does. See those who identify as Christians in the West, but only go to church on special days (Easter, Christmas, etc) but don't really follow any of the usual things in the Bible or whatever that a devout Christian would.
  • misecmisc1misecmisc1 I am a Hindu India Veteran
    My view: Books or teachings are about Dhamma, but they are not real Dhamma. our body and our mind are Dhamma - so nature is Dhamma and Dhamma is nature. so just studying Dhamma is not important, but directly experiencing Dhamma (in meditation and in daily life) is what leads to the truth.
  • PrairieGhostPrairieGhost Veteran
    Meditation fills one with wisdom, the teachings make the mind and body receptive to wisdom. It is important to understand that, in themselves, neither teaching nor meditation practice are wisdom.
  • DairyLamaDairyLama Veteran Veteran
    Meditation or listening to teaching..
    I think the important thing is to apply the teachings of Buddhism. And an important aspect of that is how to meditate.
  • Floating_AbuFloating_Abu Veteran
    Of course people need both. But I have also read (even on here) that many 'buddhists' don't meditate and others have said 'meditation' is all they do ..

    So for 'you personally' what is more important to in regards 'self realization'

    Meditation or listening to teaching..
    Just because many nominally Buddhist people (mainly in Asian countries) don't meditate doesn't mean it's useless. When a religion is part of one's culture, one tends to take it for granted and not necessarily view it the same way as an outsider does. See those who identify as Christians in the West, but only go to church on special days (Easter, Christmas, etc) but don't really follow any of the usual things in the Bible or whatever that a devout Christian would.
    Yup.

    I presuppose a lot of Asian Buddhism is cultural Buddhism.
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