Meditation in the Orthodox Theravāda tradition follows the path laid out in the Pāḷi Canon and the Visuddhimagga. This includes the development of samatha (calm) and vipassanā (insight) grounded in a stable foundation of sīla (virtue).

Pa-Auk Tawya Meditation Centre

Pa-Auk Society

Pa-Auk Society

Pa-Auk Tawya is one of the foremost meditation monasteries in the world, teaching *samatha* and *vipassanā* strictly according to the Pāḷi Canon and *Visuddhimagga*. Courses and retreats are available for both monastics and laypeople.

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The Theravāda Approach to Meditation

Orthodox Theravāda meditation is grounded in three pillars:

  • Sīla — Virtue and restraint as the foundation for all practice.
  • Samādhi — The development of concentration through samatha meditation, culminating in jhāna.
  • Paññā — Wisdom arising from vipassanā, clearly seeing the three characteristics (anicca, dukkha, anattā) of conditioned phenomena.

This methodical path, systematized by Bhadantācariya Buddhaghosa in the Visuddhimagga, remains the authoritative guide for meditation in the Orthodox Theravāda tradition.