Was pranayama practised at the time of the Buddha?
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Was pranayama practised at the time of the Buddha?
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While there is no direct evidence that pranayama, the practice of controlling the breath to enhance life force, was specifically practiced during the time of the Buddha, many scholars believe that forms of breath control were likely a part of ancient Indian spiritual practices, including those that predated the Buddha's teachings. The Buddha himself emphasized mindfulness of the breath as a way to cultivate awareness and concentration. While the exact techniques may have evolved over time, the essence of breath awareness and its importance in spiritual development has been a common thread in various contemplative traditions, including yoga and Buddhism.