Meditation is a very popular concept the world. this presentation gives facts on one side of meditation

1. Physical Impediments to
Meditation
M e d i t a t i o n a n d M i n d C u l t u r e
Presented by
Ven. B Dhammarama
200 Level
Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy

2. Content
 Introduction
 What is Meditation
 Impediments of Meditation
 Physical Impediments
 Conclusion
 References

4. What is Meditation
The method of developing or
cultivating concentration
associated with the noble path
is called Meditation or
Bhavana. The purpose of
Buddhist meditation is to gain
more than an intellectual
understanding of the reality and
to liberate from both ignorance
and craving.

5. Impediments of Meditation
• Dwelling (single inner room, hut or monastery)
• Family (family consisting of relatives)
• Gain (association with people)
• Class (group of students)
• Building (new building work)
• Travel (going on a journey)
• Kin (teacher, preceptor, co-resident)
• Affliction (any kind of illness)
• Books (responsibility for scriptures)
• Supernormal powers (impediment for insight)
According to Visuddhimagga there are ten kinds of impediments

6. Physical Impediments
Pitta, semha, vāta samuṭṭhāṇā ābādhā
Disorders arise from, bile, phlegm, air.
Sannipātikā ābādhā
Disorders on account of all three
Utuparināmajā ābādhā
Disorders on account of the change of seasons.
Visamaparihārajā ābādhā
On account of doing unusual work.
Kammavipākajā ābādhā
Disorders born of the results of actions.
Opakkamikā ābādhā
On account of Sudden attacks of pain.
According to Girimananda Sutta there are eight cardinal sections

7. Conclusion
“Monks, doctors give a purgative for warding off diseases caused by
bile, phlegm and the internal wind. Thus, I will teach you the noble
purgative…”
Virecana Sutta (AN)
Among the impediments of meditation physical obstacles are very
much essential to awaken and overcome. When examining the
prerequisites of meditation, there is a main fact goes to the degree of
well physical body. Therefore, the physical impediments should be
overcome before to start meditation by meditator.

8. References
Primary Sources
 Girimananda Sutta, Anguttara Nikaya.
 Bhikkhu Nanamoli, Visuddhimagga (page 87-93).
Secondary Sources
 Virecana Sutta, Anguttara Nikaya.