The Types of Buddhist Meditative Concentration (Samādhi)

Buddhist samādhi (meditative absorption) is of two kinds: one possesses only a meditative state, which is common to worldly non-Buddhist concentration; the other possesses not only a meditative state but also a realm of wisdom. The kind with a realm of wisdom is not shared with worldly non-Buddhist meditation.

The first kind, samādhi of meditative states, 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 collecting the mind and have nothing to do with wisdom. Samādhi that involves contemplation and contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) gives rise to wisdom and is true samādhi. This includes the contemplative wisdom of both the Greater and Lesser Vehicles. For example, when the samādhi of recollection of the Buddha through contemplating an image (buddhānusmṛti) is accomplished, one can see one's true mind and see one's Buddha-nature. When the samādhi of recollection of the Buddha is accomplished, one can awaken to the true mind and see one's Buddha-nature. When the samādhi of contemplating the five aggregates (pañcaskandha) is accomplished, one can attain purity of the dharma eye.

When the samādhi of the white-bone contemplation is accomplished, one can eliminate self-view (ātma-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 awaken to the true mind and attain enlightenment. In the samādhi accomplished through the pratyutpanna-samādhi (constantly walking samādhi), one stands before the Buddhas of the ten directions, and its realm of wisdom is awakening to the true mind and enlightenment.

In the pratyutpanna-samādhi, one practices recollection of the Buddha for ninety days without sitting or lying down—one can only walk and stand, and cannot sleep. When the samādhi of recollection of the Buddha is accomplished at the end of ninety days, one stands before the Buddhas of the ten directions and beholds the Buddha—the Tathāgata. This is the realm of enlightenment.