Prayer and Meditation Compare and Contrast
If one were to suggest to the practitioners of either Judaism or Buddhism that their distinct practices of prayer and meditation were in many ways similar or equivalent practices, both would deny such an assertion. As those who place specific religious significance upon their own practice while discounting the other, it might even be seen as offensive. However, when one examines the purpose and practice of prayer in Judaism and meditation in Buddhism their similarities are quite apparent. To be sure prayer and meditation are not identical but they are closely related.Judaism views prayer as a bridge between man and God. (Steinberg 116) Praying is a personal experience. When a person is praying to God they are having a personal conversation. In a sense, it is a one on one conversation, a "soul to soul" interchange with Him [God]. (Steinberg 116) The concept of a "soul to soul" interchange brings to mind the conversation with a loved parent, a heart to heart chat. Prayer in Judaism is the vehicle by which man can open up and tell God everything even as a child would a parent. Prayer is a sacred form of communication between God and man. No conversation with a person in the world accomplishes that which communication
The Sabbath prayer seeks to join in the praise of God. Prayer in Judaism is not to make one look good or merely to fulfill an obligation; it is to connect with God. Though in Buddhism there are many different sects each with a slightly different emphasis or focus for meditation, they all seek enlightenment from within. The apparent norm among Buddhism is to set aside time to meditate three times a day. On the Sabbath the formula for prayer is changed from "Guard our going out and our coming in" to "Embrace us with a tent of the peace. (Fisher 160) Thus meditation, in Vipassana, leads one to a tranquility and peace which stems from an understanding of self, an understanding which can only be accomplished by clearing one's mind of the distractions and stresses of daily living. Then in the evening from 7 to 8:30 p. Here one trains the mind to clear itself of all structured thoughts to not allow anything dwell in one's contemplation. The prayers are part of what must be mastered to become an adult with in the fellowship of Judaism. As well as the fact that there are three prayer services are chanted in a synagogue if there is a minyan (quorum of ten). As one examines these two one must conclude that the prayer of Judaism and the meditation of Buddhism both meat the same basic human need.
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