​WRONG SAMADHI

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Most people would have the impression that Samadhi means sitting absolutely still, either in deep thoughts or absolutely no-thoughts (another word for spacing out).

However, the Samadhi in the Sutta is not a state of mystical "samadhi" or some new-age trance.

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​So, what is the Samadhi as taught by the Buddha?

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Samadhi, often translated as "concentration", is one of the core teachings of the Buddha. However, "concentration" is a grossly incorrect and inaccurate translation.

​Even in Buddhism, "Ekaggata" is the word used for "one-pointed concentration".

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The correct translation for Samadhi is "Integration" or "Unification" of the mind. "Mental Absorption" is also used as it means to be fully immersed and sustained in that Dhammic mental state.

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Throughout the Sutta, insight refers to Samma-Sati, and tranquility refers to Samma-Samadhi (ie the 4 Jhana).

Samma-Samadhi mentioned in many of the Sutta is always about the 4 Jhana.

The 4 Jhana has been misunderstood, and incorrectly taught by many sectarian traditions.

In the Sutta, the Buddha often praised the 4 Jhana, and encouraged his disciples to strive towards the 4 Jhana.
The Buddha even emphasized that the 4 Jhana is Samma-Samadhi.
The 4 Jhana is also known as the Footsteps of the Buddha (MN27).
At his deathbed, the Buddha also went through the 4 Jhana before going into Parinibbana.

 

Later writings and teachers teach of the 8 Jhana - 4 Rupa (Form) Jhana & 4 Arupa (Formless) "Jhana".

So, why did the 2 teachers, Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputta, not attain Nibbana?

No, as they did not possess Samma-Ditthi.

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Did the Buddha say that the 4 Arupa "Jhana" are part of Samma-Samadhi?

No.

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In fact, the 4 Arupa "Jhana" were never considered "Jhana" by the Buddha.

The 4 Arupa mental states are called "ayatana", meaning "sphere". In scientific terms, they are known as "dimensions".

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The 4 Arupa (Formless) Ayatana are:

1. Akasanancayatana (Sphere of Infinite Space)

2. Vannanancayatana (Sphere of Infinite Consciousness)

3. Akincannayatana (Sphere of Nothingness)

4. Nevasannanasannayatana (Sphere of Neither Perception Nor Non-Perception)

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However, the 4 Ayatana are not without any purpose. In AN 9:36, the Buddha taught of the usage of the Ayatana AFTER the mastery of the 4 Jhana:

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“‘I tell you, the ending of the effluents depends on the dimension of the infinitude of space (and the other Ayatana).’ Thus it has been said. In reference to what was it said? There is the case where a monk—with the complete transcending of perceptions of (physical) form, with the disappearance of perceptions of resistance, and not attending to perceptions of multiplicity, (perceiving,) ‘Infinite space’—enters & remains in the dimension of the infinitude of space. He regards whatever phenomena there that are connected with feeling, perception, fabrications, & consciousness, as inconstant, stressful, a disease, a cancer, an arrow, painful, an affliction, alien, a disintegration, an emptiness, not-self. He turns his mind away from those phenomena, and having done so, inclines his mind to the property of deathlessness: ‘This is peace, this is exquisite—the pacification of all fabrications; the relinquishing of all acquisitions; the ending of craving; dispassion; cessation; unbinding.’

*Next: Samma-Samadhi

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