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.
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).