A Study of the Method of Meditation Teaching of Somdet Phra Mahamuniwong (Phichit Ṭhitavaṇṇo), Wat Sommanat Ratchaworawihan, Bangkok

Abstract

This article was a part of research paper entitled ‘A Study of the Method of Meditation Teaching of Somdet Phra Mahamuniwong (Phichit Ṭhitavaṇṇo), Wat Sommanat Ratchaworawihan, Bangkokwas’ aiming at study the method of meditation teaching in Theravada Buddhist scriptures, and the method of meditation teaching of Somdet Phra Mahamuniwong (Phichit Ṭhitavaṇṇo). It is documentary research.  The results showed that Somdet Phra Mahamuniwong (Phichit Ṭhitavaṇṇo) named Phichit Thavornsuwan, born on 24 June 1949 at Sangkhla province, Thailand, ordained as a Bhikkhu in 2499 B.E., completed Pali grade 9 and received a degree of Honorary Doctorate. He also is a permanent meditation lecturer of Mahamakut Buddhist University more than 26 years. He had written the great numbers of books involving Buddhist meditation being promoted by Sangha Council of Thailand and he opened meditation training course in various places. His teaching methods are adapted from his study, direct experience and its implement for social uses focusing on easy way for ordinary one to practice in daily day, solutions based on moral, concentration and wisdom. This method is a simple mindfulness on breaths which was a type of complete insight development, consisting of 4 steps, namely (1) on a long breath in-out, one knows his long breathe in-out, (2) when taking a short breath in-out, he also knows his short breath in-out, (3) knowing the whole all breath, one is inhaling, while exhaling, knowing all breaths, and (4) calming the mind while inhaling, one is calming his mind, exhaling. To determine all the winds, the practitioner must know that initial wind is in nose, middle wind is in the bosom, ending in the belly.