The Importance of Meditation in Buddhism : หน้า 134/263

Meditation is the focussing of the mind on a single object and abiding in a single mood without distraction or restlessness, or being caught up in external influences on mood. Meditation is thus of great importance and the cultivation of all other virtues is based on meditation. The cultivation of any other form of wholesomeness will be magnified and multiplied if done on the basis of meditation. Furthermore, the five levels of Absorptions can only be achieved by cultivating meditation. The Path and Fruit of Nirvana attained by the arahants, similarly, can only be achieved by meditation. This is why meditation is praised by the Noble Ones of Buddhism. The Noble Eightfold Path arises at All Levels of Advancement The Noble Eightfold Path can be found at all levels of advancement, whether it be the Sensual Sphere [kāmavacara-bhūmi], the Form Sphere [rūpāvacara-bhūmi], the Formless Sphere [arūpāvacara-bhūmi] or the Transcendental Level [lokuttarabhūmi]. If it arises at the Transcendental Level then it is called the Transcendental Path [lokuttara-magga]. If it arises in the Sensual Sphere then it is called the Mundane Path [lokiyamagga]. For the mundane version of the Noble Eightfold Path, this is when the faithful cultivate wholesomeness by generosity [dāna], keeping the Precepts [sīla], practicing meditation [bhāvanā] and hearing Dhamma teachings. Any time such a faithful person is generous, keeps the Precepts, listens to Dhamma teachings or practises meditation, they can be said to be cultivating the Noble Eightfold Path—because the Eightfold Path will arise for a person hand-in-hand with wholesome behaviour no matter whether it is generosity or self-discipline or any of