The Sanlun school, also known as the Three Treatise school, is a Chinese Madhyamaka school that emerged in the 6th century. It is based on the teachings of Nagarjuna and is considered one of the most influential schools in Chinese Buddhism. The Sanlun school places great emphasis on the concept of emptiness, which is the ultimate reality according to Madhyamaka philosophy. In order to understand emptiness, the Sanlun school views meditation as an essential tool.

According to the Sanlun school, emptiness is the ultimate nature of all phenomena. It is the absence of inherent existence in all things and is the key to understanding the true nature of reality. However, this understanding cannot be achieved through intellectual analysis alone. The Sanlun school believes that meditation is necessary to directly experience emptiness and gain insight into its true nature.

The Sanlun school teaches two types of meditation that are essential for understanding emptiness - analytical meditation and stabilizing meditation. Analytical meditation involves critical reflection and analysis of the nature of reality, while stabilizing meditation involves focusing the mind on a single object to achieve a deeper level of concentration. Both types of meditation are necessary for understanding emptiness, as they work together to remove the obstacles that prevent us from seeing the true nature of reality.

Through analytical meditation, one can analyze and understand the emptiness of all phenomena, including the self. The Sanlun school teaches that the self is also empty, and through analytical meditation, one can break down the illusion of a fixed and permanent self. This leads to the realization that all things are interconnected and interdependent, and there is no separate, independent self.

Stabilizing meditation, on the other hand, helps to calm the mind and develop concentration. This is important because a scattered and distracted mind cannot fully understand emptiness. Through stabilizing meditation, one can achieve a state of single-pointed focus and clarity, which is necessary for understanding emptiness.

The Sanlun school also emphasizes the importance of combining meditation with the study of Buddhist scriptures. This is because the scriptures provide the necessary guidance and instructions for meditation practice. They also serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for practitioners.

In conclusion, the Sanlun school places great importance on meditation as a means to understand emptiness. Through a combination of analytical and stabilizing meditation, one can directly experience emptiness and gain insight into the true nature of reality. This understanding is crucial for attaining enlightenment and breaking free from the cycle of suffering. Thus, the Sanlun school views meditation as an essential tool for achieving ultimate understanding and liberation.