Q: What are the five meditations?

A: They are: (1) to put the mind at rest by means of compassion, (2) to put the mind at rest by counting one’s breaths, (3) to put the mind at rest by meditating on conditioned co-arising, (4) to put the mind at rest by meditating on impurities, and (5) to put the mind at rest by being mindful of the Buddha.

Q: How many obstacles are overcome by these five meditations?

A: Five obstacles are overcome. The meditation on compassion overcomes anger. The meditation of counting one’s breaths overcomes distraction. The meditation on conditioned co-arising overcomes ignorance. The meditation on impurities overcomes covetousness. Being mindful of the Buddha overcomes obstacles to the Path.