Is
there any relationship between Dhammakaya meditation and the cultivation
of life-force in the Chinese art of Qi-gong?
The two techniques
are close to each other in a certain way: but there are some differences
too. The similarity between the two techniques is that they both
emphasize a single point: the centre of the body. Dhammakaya meditation
focuses at a point two finger breadths above the navel. Qi-gong
focuses at a point two finger breadths below the navel. There
is however a difference between the aims of the two techniques.
The Dhammakaya meditation pays more attention to spiritual attainments,
with this technique the effects of meditation are more far-reaching
and can bring the body into a state of balance. Chinese martial
arts are generally practised simply with the aim to cultivate
the life-force and cultivate well-being and longevity of the physical
body; perhaps the spiritual benefits come later. .
