Grammatical Analysis
Upasamānussati: [f.] recollection of peace; mindfulness of stilling. Formed by upasama (peace, calming, stilling of defilements) + anussati (recollection).
Orthodox Definition
Upasamānussati is the final item in the standard list of ten classical Recollections. The “peace” referred to here is not worldly relaxation, but the ultimate peace of Nibbāna—the absolute stilling of all conditioned formations (saṅkhāra-vūpasama).
The meditator contemplates the supreme qualities of the unconditioned state: the fading away of intoxication, the removal of thirst, the uprooting of attachment, the breaking of the cycle of rebirth, and the extinguishing of the fires of greed, hatred, and delusion.
The Visuddhimagga cautions that this specific meditation subject is uniquely difficult. It is truly effective only for noble disciples (ariya-puggala) who have already realized Nibbāna at Stream-entry or higher, as they have direct experience of that peace. An ordinary worldling (puthujjana) can practice it by reflecting on the concept of peace, but because they have never actually tasted Nibbāna, their mind lacks the experiential anchor. It culminates in Access Concentration.
Textual References
- Sutta: Dutiya-agga Sutta (AN 4.34) – “Whatever states there are, conditioned or unconditioned, dispassion is declared the highest of them…”
- Canonical: Itivuttaka (v. 51) – Praising the peace that comes from the complete appeasement of all formations.
- Commentary: Visuddhimagga (Chapter VIII) – Explicitly defining the prerequisites and limitations of this meditation for unawakened persons.