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Overview
The Kasinas (“Totalities”) are the most famous objects of Samatha (tranquility) meditation. By focusing on a single, pure physical element or color until a mental replica (the nimitta) arises in the mind, the meditator can achieve all four fine-material jhānas and lay the foundation for psychic powers.
The List
- Pathavīkasiṇa - The Earth Kasina: Gazing at a disk of pure, neutral-colored clay or earth.
- Āpokasiṇa - The Water Kasina: Gazing at a bowl of clear, still water.
- Tejokasiṇa - The Fire Kasina: Gazing at the flame of a fire through a hole in a screen.
- Vāyokasiṇa - The Wind Kasina: Observing the motion of wind through the swaying of trees or feeling it strike the body.
- Nīlakasiṇa - The Blue/Brown/Black Kasina: Gazing at a disk made of blue flowers or cloth.
- Pītakasiṇa - The Yellow Kasina: Gazing at a disk of yellow flowers or cloth.
- Lohitakasiṇa - The Red Kasina: Gazing at a disk of red flowers or cloth.
- Odātakasiṇa - The White Kasina: Gazing at a disk of white material or bright sunlight on a wall.
- Ālokakasiṇa - The Light Kasina: Gazing at a circle of light cast on a wall through a hole in a roof.
- Paricchinnākāsakasiṇa - The Limited Space Kasina: Gazing at a patch of sky seen through a small opening.
Quote mahāsakuludāyisuttaṃ
250. puna caparaṃ, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṃ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā dasa kasiṇāyatanāni bhāventi.
“Furthermore, Udāyi, I have explained the path for my disciples, by which path my disciples develop the ten kasiṇa bases.
pathavīkasiṇameko sañjānāti uddhamadho tiriyaṃ advayaṃ appamāṇaṃ; āpokasiṇameko sañjānāti…pe… tejokasiṇameko sañjānāti… vāyokasiṇameko sañjānāti… nīlakasiṇameko sañjānāti… pītakasiṇameko sañjānāti… lohitakasiṇameko sañjānāti… odātakasiṇameko sañjānāti… ākāsakasiṇameko sañjānāti … viññāṇakasiṇameko sañjānāti uddhamadho tiriyaṃ advayaṃ appamāṇaṃ.
One perceives the earth kasiṇa upwards, downwards, and across, without duality, immeasurable; one perceives the water kasiṇa… one perceives the fire kasiṇa… one perceives the air kasiṇa… one perceives the blue kasiṇa… one perceives the yellow kasiṇa… one perceives the red kasiṇa… one perceives the white kasiṇa… one perceives the space kasiṇa… one perceives the consciousness kasiṇa upwards, downwards, and across, without duality, immeasurable.
Textual References
- Canonical: Mahāsakuludāyi Sutta (MN 77) – The Buddha lists the ten kasinas.
- Commentary: Visuddhimagga (Chapters IV & V) – Provides the definitive, step-by-step instructions on how to construct and meditate on every kasina.