Verified
Grammatical Analysis
Samādhi: [m.] concentration; meditative unification; one-pointedness of mind. Derived from the prefix saṃ (together) + ā (towards) + root dhā (to place/put). Literally means “to place or collect firmly together,” implying a state where the mind is gathered firmly and anchored to a single object.
Orthodox Definition
Samādhi is defined in the Abhidhamma as the mental factor of one-pointedness (ekaggatā-cetasika) when it accompanies a wholesome or beautiful consciousness (sobhana-citta). It functions to prevent mental scattering, bringing about an unperturbed, luminous, and workable state of mind.
In the training of the Noble Eightfold Path, samādhi constitutes the third major division (Samādhi-sikkhā), encompassing Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.
The orthodox commentaries distinguish three progressive intensities of samādhi:
- Parikamma-samādhi (Preparatory concentration): The initial focusing of the mind on a preliminary meditation object.
- Upacāra-samādhi (Access concentration): A deep state of concentration where the five hindrances (nīvaraṇa) are fully suppressed, closely approaching the boundary of absorption, though the mental factors are not yet fully stabilized.
- Appanā-samādhi (Absorption concentration): Full meditative absorption, representing the actual attainment of the jhānas.
Quote
parikammassa nimittaṃ ārammaṇattāti parikammanimittaṃ, kasiṇamaṇḍalādi.
“The sign which is the object of preparatory practice is called preparatory sign (parikammanimitta), such as an earth-kasiṇa disk.”tadeva cakkhunā diṭṭhaṃ viya manasā uggahetabbaṃ nimittaṃ, uggaṇhantassa vā nimittanti uggahanimittaṃ.
“That same sign, to be grasped by the mind as if seen by the eye, or the sign for one who grasps it, is called grasping sign (uggahanimitta).”tappaṭibhāgaṃ vaṇṇādikasiṇadosarahitaṃ nimittaṃ upacārappanānaṃ ārammaṇattāti paṭibhāganimittaṃ.
“The counter-part sign (paṭibhāganimitta) is similar to the grasping sign, free from kasiṇa faults such as color, etc., and is the object of access and absorption.”— Abhidhammatthasaṅgaha (Chapter IX, Nimittabhedavaṇṇanā)
Textual References
- Sutta: Culavedalla Sutta (MN 44) – Where the standard definitions of concentration, its objects, and its requisites are explicitly stated.
- Abhidhamma: Dhammasaṅgaṇī (Factors of the First Citta).
- Commentary: Visuddhimagga (Part I - Concentration, Chapters III to XI) – Detailing the forty traditional subjects of meditation (kammaṭṭhāna).
- Textual: Abhidhammatthasaṅgaha (Chapter IX) – Systematically mapping the preparatory, grasping, and counterpart signs of concentration.