ABSTRACT
Meditation is also known as contemplation, reflection and rumination. Master Sheng-Yen said the main purpose of meditation is to gain inner peace, and long-term practice allows purification and change both physically and spiritually. The definition of meditation often differs due to the time period, cultural context and practice method. Eastern societies believe meditation can calm one’s mind and body, inspire wisdom, help understand the relationship between oneself and the nature, as well as explore the purpose of life. Meditation in Taiwan is often closely related to Buddhism. Buddhism is one of the most popular religions in Taiwan. According to the Taiwan Social Change Survey, in the population over the age of 20, 47 per cent consider themselves as Buddhist, and in the Chinese World Almanac published in Taiwan in 2001, unofficial statistics suggested there are about eight million Buddhists in the Taiwan-Fujian area, accounting for almost one-third of the total population.
