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Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

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the Chinese word there may be grouped many meanings.<br />

The application of this principle is: first learn the exact<br />

meanings of the terms, <strong>and</strong> then underst<strong>and</strong> with<br />

discrimination the actual practice of meditation to which<br />

they apply.<br />

A. SOME TERMS CONCERNING THE<br />

PHILOSOPHY OF MEDITATION<br />

1. Xin. The general meaning of this is "heart," but a<br />

dictionary gives no less than nine meanings:<br />

a.The physical heart of flesh. This is equivalent to<br />

"hrdaya" in Sanskrit.<br />

b.Think; a thought. "If somebody has a thought, I shall<br />

try to guess it." runs a Chinese dictionary citation from<br />

an ancient classic ode.<br />

c.Distinguish. Vijnanavada says that here "discriminate"<br />

should be understood.<br />

d.Center. Just as the heart is at the center of the body, so<br />

the word is used to mean the center of any thing, place,<br />

circumstance, etc.<br />

e.The thorn of a tree.<br />

f.Name of one (Rohini, Jyesthaghni) of the twenty-eight<br />

constellations (Naksatra) according to Indian<br />

astronomy.<br />

g.The stone of a fruit.<br />

h.The original nature of everything, especially of<br />

humans.<br />

i. Essence. The essential part, main part, or central idea<br />

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