How to Attain Meditative Concentration (Samādhi)

The so-called samādhi is the state in which meditative concentration and wisdom are perfectly united. The Sūtra on the Samādhi of Sitting Meditation (Zuochan Sanmei Jing) introduces several methods of cultivating samādhi, among which is the method of recollection of the Buddha (buddhānusmṛti) through contemplating an image of the Buddha to accomplish the samādhi of Buddha-recollection. When practicing the contemplation of the Buddha's image, one keeps body and mind upright, focuses single-pointedly on one intent, does not turn toward other dharmas, and single-mindedly contemplates the Buddha image before one. While contemplating the image, meditative concentration is complete, the precepts are complete, and contemplative wisdom is complete—precepts, concentration, and wisdom are all complete—and finally one accomplishes the samādhi of Buddha-recollection through contemplating the image, with the equal cultivation of Samādhi and Prajñā. The cultivation of the other kinds of samādhi is likewise accomplished only when precepts, concentration, and wisdom are all complete. If the precepts are not complete, the mind is scattered and restless, and then concentration is not complete; if concentration is not complete, contemplative wisdom cannot arise; and if contemplative wisdom is insufficient, samādhi cannot be born.

The Śūraṅgama Sūtra describes the various states of samādhi cultivated by twenty-five sages, all of whom had precepts, concentration, and wisdom complete; within profound meditative concentration, they deliberated and investigated deeply and subtly, accomplished profound samādhi, and attained vast wisdom. Attaining the state of samādhi cannot be separated from profound meditative concentration, nor from the contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) wisdom of the sixth and seventh consciousnesses. The role played by the manas in this is far greater than that of the mind consciousness; therefore, when one realizes profound samādhi, great supernatural powers manifest.

In the Avataṃsaka Sūtra, Sudhana's fifty-three visits of seeking instruction: every teacher he visited taught him a method of cultivating samādhi, and he engaged in deep and subtle contemplative cultivation one by one within concentration. Each time he accomplished a kind of samādhi, his wisdom grew and ascended to a new level, until finally his wisdom reached that of an equal-enlightenment bodhisattva. Thus precepts, concentration, and wisdom are the preliminary expedients; concentration is the connecting link in the middle; contemplative wisdom is the bridge; and samādhi is the fruit of the Path. The fifty-three teachers taught Sudhana fifty-three dharmas, and Sudhana diligently cultivated them all, so his progress on the Path advanced by leaps and bounds, surpassing the cultivation time of other bodhisattvas by two or three incalculable kalpas—his practice was truly swift. Why so fast? His power of vows was vast and profound, he honored his teachers and revered the Way, his meditative concentration was profound, his wisdom deep and sharp, and his diligence unsurpassed; therefore he could accomplish all kinds of samādhi.