Types of Samādhi in Buddhism

Buddhist meditative concentration (samādhi) is divided into two kinds: one has only meditative states, which is common to worldly non-Buddhist concentration; the other has not only meditative states but also states of wisdom. The kind with states of wisdom is not common to the worldly meditative concentration of non-Buddhists.

The first kind of meditative-state samādhi has three types, called the three samādhis: the samādhi with initial application and sustained examination (vitarka-vicāra) (below the first dhyāna), the samādhi with initial application but without sustained examination (between the first and second dhyānas), and the samādhi without initial application or sustained examination (above the second dhyāna).

The three samādhis are a matter of gathering the mind and have nothing to do with wisdom. A samādhi that involves contemplation and contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) gives rise to wisdom and is the true samādhi. This includes the contemplative-practice wisdom of both the Great and Small Vehicles. For example, when the samādhi of recollection of the Buddha (buddhānusmṛti) through contemplating an image is accomplished, one can see the mind and see one's nature. When the samādhi of recollection of the Buddha is accomplished, one can see the mind and see one's nature. When the samādhi of contemplative practice on the five aggregates (pañca-skandha) is accomplished, one can attain purity of the Dharma eye.

When the samādhi of the contemplation of the white skeleton is accomplished, one can eradicate the view of self (satkāya-dṛṣṭi) and realize the first through the fourth fruits. When the samādhi of the four foundations of mindfulness is accomplished, one can realize the first through the fourth fruits. When the seventh contemplation of the Contemplation Sutra is accomplished, one can see the mind and attain enlightenment. The samādhi accomplished through the pratyutpanna-samādhi is standing before the Buddhas of the ten directions; its state of wisdom is seeing the mind and attaining enlightenment.

In the pratyutpanna-samādhi, one practices recollection of the Buddha for ninety days without sitting or lying down—only walking and standing, without sleeping. When the samādhi of recollection of the Buddha is accomplished at ninety days, one stands before the Buddhas of the ten directions and sees the Buddha—the Tathāgata. This is the state of enlightenment.