How to Attain Samādhi

The so-called "samadhi" is a state where concentration and wisdom are perfectly integrated. The Dhyāna Samādhi Sūtra introduces several methods for cultivating samadhi. Among them is the method of attaining Buddha-Recollection Samadhi through visualizing the Buddha's image. When practicing this visualization, one should sit with body and mind upright, focus single-mindedly without distraction, and concentrate solely on contemplating the Buddha image before them. During this visualization, one must fully embody meditative concentration (dhyana), fully uphold the precepts (śīla), and fully develop contemplative wisdom (prajñā). When precepts, concentration, and wisdom are all complete, one ultimately achieves the Buddha-Recollection Samadhi through visualization, where concentration and wisdom are equally balanced. The cultivation of other types of samadhi similarly requires the complete fulfillment of precepts, concentration, and wisdom. If the precepts are incomplete, the mind becomes scattered and agitated, leading to incomplete concentration. Without complete concentration, contemplative wisdom cannot arise. If contemplative wisdom is insufficient, samadhi cannot be born.

The Śūraṅgama Sūtra describes the various states of samadhi attained by twenty-five sages. All of them fully embodied precepts, concentration, and wisdom. In profound meditative absorption, they deeply contemplated and investigated, thereby achieving profound samadhi and attaining vast wisdom. Attaining the state of samadhi is inseparable from profound meditative concentration and the contemplative wisdom arising from the practice involving the sixth and seventh consciousnesses. Within this process, the fundamental mind (manas) plays a far greater role than the conscious mind (mano-vijñāna). Therefore, when one attains profound samadhi, great supernatural powers manifest.

In the Avataṃsaka Sūtra, the boy Sudhana undertook fifty-three spiritual consultations. Each teacher he visited taught him a method for cultivating a specific samadhi. He then deeply and meticulously contemplated each one within meditative absorption. With the attainment of each samadhi, his wisdom increased, ascending step by step, until finally reaching the wisdom of an equal enlightenment bodhisattva. Thus, precepts, concentration, and wisdom are the preliminary expedients; concentration is the central link; contemplative wisdom is the bridge; and samadhi is the path and its fruit. The fifty-three teachers instructed Sudhana in fifty-three Dharma methods. Sudhana diligently practiced them all, causing his spiritual progress to advance by leaps and bounds, surpassing the cultivation time of other bodhisattvas by two or three immeasurable kalpas. His practice was truly swift. Why was this so rapid? Because his vows were vast and profound, he revered his teachers and honored the Dharma, his meditative concentration was profound, his wisdom was deep and sharp, and his diligence was matchless. Therefore, he was able to accomplish all samadhis.