This study proposes the modern use of manasikāra by examining the usage of the term in the Nikāyas. With the explanation of manasikāra, which has not been studied as much as sati and samadhi, this study also aims to help beginner meditators understand manasikāra and approach the meditation practice with ease.
Manasikāra is an action of mind that turns attention to an object, meaning to lead mind to head toward a particular direction. In that manasikāra makes mind pay attention to a certain object, it is proper to say that manasikāra has a function of spontaneous attention, namely activeness.
According to the description of pa$$iccasamuppāda in the Nikāyas, manasikāra belongs to nāma, which composes nāma-rūpa. All dhammas, which are the objects of mind, rise with manasikāra, and there exist no dhammas as an entity. The Nikayas suggest that sammā manasikāra should rise before samādhi. Therefore, manasikāra is a necessary process to get.
Although manasikāra, in the practice of Anapanasati, is often paired with sati, it actually emerges in prior to sati. In order to practice meditation in everyday life, it is necessary to understand nimitta above all. With yoniso manasikāra toward nimitta, meditators can reach samādhi without delusion, aversion and greed.
Manasikāra appears in the course of maintaining jhana as well as in the phase of preliminary samādhi. It directs mind toward an object before sati arises. Without manasikāra, an attention to an object cannot be maintained, and in turn, an objects cannot be perceived. Manasikāra draws attention to an object, and leads to sati-sampajañña along with yoniso manasikāra, achieving concentration and wisdom.
The Nikayās emphasize that it is important to maintain sati-sampajañña along with manasikāra in daily activities as well as in the meditation practice. Manasikāra should be kept when listening to Buddha's dhamma and noticing the traits of meditators as well.
In the Nikāyas, yoniso manasikāra is mentioned in relation to nimitta, pa$$iccasamuppāda and cattāri ariyasaccāni. Yoniso manasikāra is a means to induce concentration in the practice. In addition, it cultivates wisdom to cope with life matters and eventually removes dukkha.
The goal of the early Buddhist practice is to reach nibbāna, but it is hard to say that it is a common goal for modern ordinary meditators. Modern Buddhist practices emphasize samādhi and sati. However, those cannot be experienced without the help of manasikāra. It is necessary to practice manasikāra beforehand to provide a solid foundation for meditation. For the modern meditators, developing manasikāra as a preliminary stage of practice is recommended.
This study discusses the meaning and the application of manasikāra, by examining the usage of it in the four Nikāyas, and focuses on understanding the meaning and the roles of it. However, the study does not identify all the details of the various uses of manasikāra. Nevertheless, it is meaningful that this study has initiated research on manasikāra, which has not been paid much attention to. Hopefully, further research on manasikāra will be carried out.
$$ : 원문참조