What is Dhammakaya Meditation?

Dhammakaya Meditation is based on four principles: three methods of concentration and the Principle of the Center. The three concentration techniques are: (1) Meditating on an object of visualization (Kasina), (2) Recollection of Lord Buddha’s virtues (Buddhanussati), and (3) Mindfulness of breathing (Anapanasati). And (4) the Principle of the Center which is position 7 as shown in the picture below specifies that these three methods of concentration are all applied simultaneously at the center of the body.

Thereafter, meditation proceeds to successively higher levels by always focusing at the center of the center. This combination of techniques is effective for meditators of all different types.

Dhammakaya Meditation is Both Samatha and Vipassana

The effectiveness of the Dhammakaya Meditation derives from focusing attention at the center of the body and combining three meditation techniques simultaneously. Meditators often debate the efficacy of concentration (Samatha) versus insight (Vipassana). Dhammakaya Meditation employs elements of both. Higher and higher levels of concentration enable personal insight to progress from a more worldly view to Right Understanding and ultimately to Supra-mundane Right Wisdom.

Is Dhammakaya Meditation a new practice?

Dhammakaya Meditation is not a new practice as many believe. It is the original Buddha-Teaching. Dhammakaya meditation is the exact path that the Buddha practiced. It directly follows the Noble Eightfold Path which is classified into the three categories of Sila or morality, Samatha or Right Concentration, and Vipassana or Right Wisdom. In combination with the four Satipatthana or Foundations of Mindfulness, the Samatha (concentration) and Vipassana will advance to Right Wisdom pertaining to the compounds (Sankhara) and non-compounds (Visankhara). The Right Wisdom of the Four Noble Truths will be unfolded. Nirvana or freedom from all conditioning and suffering will, thus, be attained.