Introduction to Buddhist Meditation

Presented by Lama Matthew Palden Gocha

This is a recording of “Introduction to Buddhist Meditation” presented by Lama Matthew Palden Gocha at Precious Blood Renewal Center in Liberty, Missouri, on Nov. 6, 2025.

The presentation is part of the monthly series “Teach Us to Pray.” On the first Thursday of the month, practitioners of a variety of prayer styles, mostly from the Catholic tradition but also from other traditions, demonstrate prayer in their particular style. Learn more about the series here.

This presentation explores diverse prayer styles in Buddhism — from chanting and mantra recitation to devotional supplication — and how they naturally connect with meditation practice. Discover how prayer can calm the mind, open the heart, and support a deeper, more meaningful meditation practice.

Please download these two handouts before the program.

• Meditation Instructions
• The Tree of Contemplative Practices

Lama Matthew Palden Gocha is the Spiritual Director of the Rime Buddhist Center. Rooted in the non-monastic Ngakpa (lay-yogic) tradition and Rimé (Non-sectarian approach, he teaches, guides, and serves interfaith and social justice communities locally.

Outline of the Video

• 00:00 — Introduction
• 01:18 — What is Buddhism?
• 04:37 — Prayer in Buddhism
• 29:16 — Guided Meditation, A Body Scan
• 42:10 — Guided Meditation, A Tonglen Meditation
• 56:22 — Question and Answers

 

All of the videos in this series can be found here: Teach Us to Pray.

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