The word "bhavana", a Pali word normally translated as 'meditation', actually signifies 'mental development' or 'mental culture'. Meditation in Buddhism is a technique for developing one's mind to gain control over its functions, to focus its attention and strength, and to use it as a tool for gaining insight, which ultimately leads one to liberation from rebirth and suffering, Nibbana. While the practice of meditation does have many other useful or pleasant results, the chief aim of meditation in Buddhism is this liberation from rebirth and suffering. According to Buddhist doctrine, our minds continually seek out pleasure by clinging to one impermanent object after another. This inclination towards clinging is fueled by the defilement of ignorance or delusion. Along with this delusion, our minds are also plagued by two other defilements, greed & hatred. Meditation is the only means at our disposal for suppressing these defilements, and ultimately, when liberation is realized, for eradicating them altogether.

There are essentially two types of meditation in Buddhism: concentration meditation and insight meditation (samatha bhavana & vippassana bhavana ). The first, concentration meditation, is not uniquely Buddhist. It is a common form of meditation found in most religious spheres that have mystical aspects (Hinduism, Christianity, Islam). This form of meditation involves focusing the mind upon a single object until special states of consciousness are realized. This gives the meditator especially strong concentration skills and grants a temporary relief to the mind from the effects of the defilements. This type of meditation itself cannot lead one to Nibbana, but it can provide one with tools helpful to attaining that end. Normally, one begins meditation training by practicing concentration meditation until the mind is trained to focus its attention, at least in a momentary way, so that distractions to meditation can be greatly lessened.

The second type of meditation, insight meditation, is uniquely Buddhist. Unlike concentration meditation, insight meditation seeks to apply mindfulness to any object that arises to the mind's attention. By examining each object that arises and analyzing as to whether any permanence, lasting pleasure, of self-nature can be found in it, the meditation slow begins to break his attachment to sensory pleasures and to existence. In time the insight gained from this practice begins to transform the meditator's consciousness to one of a liberated being. The mental defilements become not just suppressed, but eradicated, and a true insightful knowledge arises in the meditator of the true nature of reality (yathabhutam).

While there many varieties of meditation practice that fall under both of these two main categories, the varieties that are practiced during group meditation all involve a seated posture. Generally, the meditators at Sitagu Vihara practice meditation on the in & out breathing (anapanasati ). This traditional form of meditation can be used both as a type of concentration meditation and insight meditation. Traditionally, this form of meditation involves sitting in a cross-legged position on the floor with an erect posture and focusing the minds attention on the sensation of the breath as it enters and exits the tip of the nose. Those who are not comfortable sitting on the floor may also practice this type of meditation while seated upright in a chair.

We begin our meditation in accordance with Theravadan practice by taking the Three Refuges and Five Precepts, as follows: (When present the senior monk leads the laity in this recitation.)