Editing Tibetan Buddhism (section)

=== Samatha and Vipaśyanā ===
[[File:Tibetan Buddhist Monk in Ghami, Upper Mustang, Nepal.jpg|thumb|A Tibetan Buddhist Monk meditating using chanting and drumming.]]
The [[14th Dalai Lama]] defines meditation (''bsgom pa'') as "familiarization of the mind with an object of meditation."{{sfnp|Powers|2007|p=81}} Traditionally, Tibetan Buddhism follows the two main approaches to [[meditation]] or mental cultivation (''[[bhavana]]'') taught in all forms of Buddhism, [[śamatha]] (Tib. ''Shine'') and [[vipaśyanā]] (''lhaktong'').

The practice of [[śamatha]] (calm abiding) is one of focusing one's mind on a single object such as a Buddha figure or the breath. Through repeated practice one's mind gradually becomes more stable, calm and happy. It is defined by [[Dagpo Tashi Namgyal|Takpo Tashi Namgyal]] as "fixing the mind upon any object so as to maintain it without distraction...focusing the mind on an object and maintaining it in that state until finally it is channeled into one stream of attention and evenness."{{sfnp|Powers|2007|p=86}} The [[Samatha#Nine mental abidings|nine mental abidings]] is the main progressive framework used for śamatha in Tibetan Buddhism.{{sfnp|Powers|2007|p=88}}

Once a meditator has reached the ninth level of this schema they achieve what is termed "pliancy" (Tib. ''shin tu sbyangs pa'', Skt. ''[[Praśrabdhi|prasrabdhi]]''), defined as "a serviceability of mind and body such that the mind can be set on a virtuous object of observation as long as one likes; it has the function of removing all obstructions." This is also said to be very joyful and blissful for the body and the mind.{{sfnp|Powers|2007|p=90}}

The other form of Buddhist meditation is [[vipaśyanā]] (clear seeing, higher insight), which in Tibetan Buddhism is generally practiced after having attained proficiency in [[śamatha]].{{sfnp|Powers|2007|p=91}} This is generally seen as having two aspects, one of which is [[Vipassanā#Inductive and deductive analysis in the Indo-Tibetan tradition|analytic meditation]], which is based on contemplating and thinking rationally about ideas and concepts. As part of this process, entertaining doubts and engaging in internal debate over them is encouraged in some traditions.{{sfnp|Rinpoche|Rinpoche|2006|p=66, 212f}} The other type of [[vipaśyanā]]  is a non-analytical, "simple" yogic style called ''trömeh'' in Tibetan, which means "without complication".<ref>{{cite book |title=The Practice of Tranquillity & Insight: A Guide to Tibetan Buddhist Meditation |author=Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche |publisher=Shambhala Publications |year=1994 |isbn=0-87773-943-9 |pages=91–93}}</ref>

A meditation routine may involve alternating sessions of vipaśyanā to achieve deeper levels of realization, and samatha to consolidate them.{{sfnp|Hopkins|1996|p={{page needed|date=March 2024}}}}