Světlo v oceánu, Kognitivní analýza vybraných aspektů meditačních technik v mahajánovém buddhismu

Bc. Silvie Kotherová, Ph.D.

Master's thesis

Light in the Ocean, Cognitive Analysis of Selected Aspects of Meditation Techniques in Mahajana Buddhist Tradition

Abstract:

This diploma thesis deals with some aspects of Mahayana Buddhist meditation techniques from cognitive point of view and its main object is their cognitive analysis on the basis of normal mental processing. The most basic is Samadhi practice, which is present in Theravada and in Mahayana Buddhism as well. This leads, as many research works have shown, to deautomatization of some cognitive processes, foremost termination of the subject-object distinction. But it takes to the question the possibility of the self concept cease. Another interesting meditation technique is Satipatthana – meditation of mindfulness, which concerns on adept’s thoughts, emotions and acts. The next important practice, which is fully doctrinal, is Vipassana. All of them share the main feature – attention targeting and mental focusing. Similarly they are kinds of visualization. All these features are determined by the ways our minds work. So it is necessary to study them through the cognitive perspective. These meditation techniques are anchored in famous Forman’s theory of mystical states (PCE, DMS and UMS). This theory is critically reconsidered in light of Mahayana Buddhist meditation techniques. Also it turns to the methodological problems of scientific study of this phenomena in general, especially it concerns with complications and dangers of „first person perspective“ as possible scientific tool and its relation to „third person perspective“.

Keywords

meditace, kognitivní religionistika, mahajánový buddhismus

Language used: Czech

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 22. 5. 2008

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 4. 6. 2008
• Supervisor: doc. PhDr. Luboš Bělka, CSc., Dr. Miloš Hubina

Masaryk University

Faculty of Arts

Master programme / field:
Philosophy / Study of Religions