Verified
Grammatical Analysis
Sammāsamādhi: [m.] Right Concentration; Correct Meditative Integration. Formed by sammā (correctly) + samādhi (concentration/one-pointedness). Doctrinally identical to the mental factor of one-pointedness (ekaggatā-cetasika) when unified with beautiful states.
Orthodox Definition
Sammāsamādhi is the eighth and final limb of the Noble Eightfold Path, serving as the absolute climax of the concentration division (samādhi-sikkhā). It represents the mind brought into a state of flawless, unmoving unification, entirely anchored to a wholesome focus.
In the canonical suttas, the Buddha explicitly defines Sammāsamādhi as the attainment and mastery of the four material-sphere absorptions: the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Jhānas.
The Visuddhimagga explains that concentration is crowned as “Right” when it is supported by the previous seven path factors. It transforms the mind into a luminous, workable laser of attention. At the supramundane level (lokuttara), this one-pointedness fixes the attention onto Nibbāna with such immense intensity that the underlying defilements are permanently incinerated by the co-arising wisdom factor.
Quote
‘‘katamo ca, bhikkhave, sammāsamādhi?
“And what, bhikkhus, is right concentration?”idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṃ savicāraṃ vivekajaṃ pītisukhaṃ paṭhamaṃ jhānaṃ upasampajja viharati.
“Here, bhikkhus, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome states, a bhikkhu enters and dwells in the first jhāna, which is accompanied by vitakka and vicāra, with joy and pleasure born of seclusion.”251vitakkavicārānaṃ vūpasamā ajjhattaṃ sampasādanaṃ cetaso ekodibhāvaṃ avitakkaṃ avicāraṃ samādhijaṃ pītisukhaṃ dutiyaṃ jhānaṃ upasampajja viharati.
“With the subsiding of vitakka and vicāra, he attains to internal tranquility and unification of mind, and enters and dwells in the second jhāna, which is without vitakka and vicāra, with joy and pleasure born of concentration.”pītiyā ca virāgā upekkhako ca viharati, sato ca sampajāno, sukhañca kāyena paṭisaṃvedeti, yaṃ taṃ ariyā ācikkhanti ‘upekkhako satimā sukhavihārī’ti tatiyaṃ jhānaṃ upasampajja viharati.
“With the fading away of joy as well, he dwells in equanimity, mindful and clearly comprehending, and experiences pleasure with the body; he enters and dwells in the third jhāna, of which the Noble Ones declare: ‘He is equanimous and mindful, dwelling in pleasure.’”sukhassa ca pahānā dukkhassa ca pahānā pubbeva somanassadomanassānaṃ atthaṅgamā adukkhamasukhaṃ upekkhāsatipārisuddhiṃ catutthaṃ jhānaṃ upasampajja viharati.
“With the abandoning of pleasure and pain, and with the disappearance of former gladness and sadness, he enters and dwells in the fourth jhāna, which is neither painful nor pleasant, and is purified by equanimity and mindfulness.”ayaṃ vuccati, bhikkhave, sammāsamādhi.
“This, bhikkhus, is called right concentration.”— Mahāsatipaṭṭhānasuttaṃ (DN 22)
Textual References
- Sutta: Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta (DN 22) – The definitive text providing the standard formulaic description of the four jhānas as Right Concentration.
- Abhidhamma: Vibhaṅga (Magga-vibhaṅga clinical catalog).
- Commentary: Visuddhimagga (Chapters IV and V) – The exhaustive reference mapping out the manual requirements to fulfill Right Concentration.