< Issue No. 5 (2009)Article
‘Against Belief’: Mindfulness Meditation (satipaṭṭhāna bhāvanā) as Empirical Method
Sugunasiri, Suwanda H.J., Nalanda College of Buddhist Studies, Trinity College, University of Toronto
Abstract
Establishing of Mindfulness (satipaṭṭhāna) is the methodology specifically developed by the Buddha towards Nibbāna. Taking the very small opening segment – Mindfulness of Breathing, of this Discourse, this paper explores its methodology, not however as a spiritual activity but as a scientific method to arrive at knowledge empirically. The opening descriptive, and critical study, is followed by a discussion of a few related theoretical and practical issues. As part of the former is introduced the concept of ‘psycheme’, and regarding the latter, a few thoughts regarding the usefulness of the method for the western scientist – both at the professional and the personal levels, are introduced. The paper proposes that Science and a proposed Buddhian science engage in a ‘Spiritual Interaction’, by way of bringing together Buddhologists and Scientists in a formal way.