This paper discusses the relation between meditative practices and games, and argues that it is reasonable to see meditative practices as games based on structural features they have in common as w...

A syncretic yogic instruction in Carakasanhita : Śārīrasthāna 1.137–155, contained in Book 4 of the Ćarakasaṃhitā, is a short treatise on yoga presented for āyurvedic purposes. In its yogic interpretation, the work comprises the Upaniṣads, the Mahābhārata, some Sāṃkhya’s and Vaiśeṣika’s notions as well as the meditative interpretation present in the Buddhist tradition. The ŚS gives a threefold path leading to mokṣa, the state of supreme brahman with which the conscious being, bhūtātman, becomes one : yoga, smṛti, and sāṃkhya. The (...) path to liberation is based on yoga, which is the reinforcement of the manas in the ātman and the stopping of suffering by breaking the connection between the erroneous identification of ātman with manas and the senses. On the path of yoga, a powerful eight-fold magical power is created through which the yogi is able to overcome external adversities. In the next step, the recognition of the one’s true identity — according to the sāṃkhya — is made through buddhi by the power of jñāna. However, in order for this recognition to be realized, the state of purity of sattva must first appear, induced by the practice of the eight-step smṛti realized by eighteen perfections. (shrink)

In the Dunhuang manuscript IOL Tib J 709, which is a collection of writings concerning meditation, we come across a short text attributed to a Tibetan master called Byaṅ-cub-klu-dbaṅ (allegedly eighth-ninth centuries CE). In his work, Byaṅ-cub-klu-dbaṅ exposes a method of meditation that seems to be strongly indebted to Indian Mahāyāna scriptural sources. Besides, also a Chinese Chan influence is here detectable. Therefore, the method of meditation taught by Byaṅ-cub-klu-dbaṅ seems to represent a commingling of different elements from different contexts. (...) After a general introduction to the manuscript IOL Tib J 709, this study focuses on Byaṅ-cub-klu-dbaṅ’s text, discussing and analysing the following topics: its author and date, the Indian Mahāyāna possible sources, Chinese Chan elements, the meditational path described. An annotated translation of the text, along with its transliteration and the reproduction of the fac-simile of the corresponding portion of the manuscript, concludes the study. (shrink)