[Buddha-l] The Body in Buddhist Practice

[Jim Peavler]

On Sep 15, 2006, at 12:52 PM, Erik Hoogcarspel wrote:

> . My first impression is that the body plays primarely a symbolic  
> part in Buddhism. Especially in Zenbuddhism, where the position of  
> the body is a symbol of the quality of the meditation. In Theravada  
> the body is simply considered a nuisance because it hinders  
> meditation, ...

My own training (admittedly Zen) suggests that the body is much more  
than symbolic -- it practically IS meditation. There is no question  
that the posture is often mentioned in symbolic ways, but I think it  
is also true that there is hardly any other way to sit that is so  
conducive to easy breathing and staying in one relaxed position for a  
long period of time. And the body is a full participant in any  
meditation I have ever been taught and it is what meditates. If Zazen  
is the practice, then the body is the instrument and the mind the  
observer.  Or so it seems to me.

Jim Peavler
jmp at peavler.org