The Difference Between Buddhist and Daoist Cultivation of Meditative Concentration

There is a certain difference between practicing meditative concentration in Buddhism and in Daoism, because the purposes of practicing concentration differ, and thus the methods must also differ to some extent. The goal of Daoist cultivation is the health and longevity of the physical body; they have no intention of liberating themselves from the suffering of birth-and-death in saṃsāra. Therefore, when they practice meditative concentration, they pay great attention to the physical body, directing all their attention to it and caring nothing for the wisdom of liberation. Buddhist practitioners, on the basis of practicing meditative concentration, should put more effort into wisdom. When practicing concentration, one should not pay too much attention to the body; a slight acquaintance with those Daoist theories of cultivating the body is enough. We Buddhists practice meditative concentration in order to gain wisdom and attain liberation. As long as the body does not create obstacles and does not interfere with thinking and investigating Chan, we need not concern ourselves with it. It is not worth expending too much energy on the physical body.