Analysis of Meditation (Dhyāna) in Mahāyāna Buddhism based on Amitāyūrdhyāna Sūtra

Meditation that is called Dhyana in Buddhism is one of the ways that by restraining mind in order to receive the truth possessions, can free man from the psychological pressures of materialistic life and lead him to a spiritual life with peace of mind. Due to the arrival of these methods in Iran with a different culture, the need to study Dhyana arises. The lack of studies in this field in Iran has necessitates for this type of research. The questions we are trying to explain in this article are: principles, goals, methods and levels of meditation in the Mahayana branch of Buddhism based on the text of Amitayurdhyana Sutra, which is one of the meditative texts in the school of pure land of Mahayana Buddhism, we have sought to answer the above questions by descriptive-analytical method and based on the material presented in Amitayurdhyana Sutra, as well as referring to other Buddhist sources.