Nyanatiloka Buddhist Dictionary

(one-pointedness of mind) and avikkhepa (undistractedness). It is one of the mental factorsin 'wholesome consciousness. Cf. foll. and bhávaná.samatha-vipassaná: 'tranquillity and insight', are identical with concentration (samádhi, q.v.;s. prec.) and wisdom (paññá, q.v.), and form the two branches of mental development(bhávaná, q.v.).(1) 'Tranquillity' is all unperturbed, peaceful and lucid state of mind attained by strongmental concentration. Though as a distinct way of practice (s. samatha-yánika), it aims at theattainment of the meditative absorptions (jhána, q.v.), a high degree of tranquilconcentration (though not necessarily that of the absorptions) is indispensable for insighttoo. Tranquillity frees the mind from impurities and inner obstacles, and gives it greaterpenetrative strength.''What now is the power of tranquillity (samatha-bala)? It is the one-pointedness andnon-distraction of the mind due to freedom from desire (renunciation) ... to freedom fromill-will ... to the perception of light (s. aloka-saññá) ... to non-distraction ... to the defilling ofphenomena ... to knowledge, gladness, the 8 attainments, the 10 kasinas, the 10 recollections,the 9 cemetery contemplations, the 32 kinds of respiration-mindfulness ... theone-pointedness and non-distraction of the mind of one contemplating abandonment(relinquishment) while inhaling and exhaling (s. ánápánasati)."The power of tranquillity consists of the freedom from perturbation; in the 1st absorption,from the 5 hindrances (nívarana, (q.v.); in the 2nd absorption, from thought-conception anddiscursive thinking; ... in the sphere of neither-perception-nor-non-perception it consists ofthe freedom from perturbation by the perception of the sphere of nothingness (s.anupubbanirodha), which is no longer agitated and irritated by defilements associated withrestlessness, nor by the groups of existence" (Pts.M. 1. p. 97)(2) 'Insight' (s. vipassaná) is the penetrative understanding by direct meditative experienceof the impermanency, unsatisfactoriness and impersonality of all material and mentalphenomena of existence. It is insight that leads to entrance into the supermundance statesof holiness and to final liberation.''What now is the power of insight? It is the contemplation of impermanency(aniccánupassaná), of misery (dukkhanupassaná), impersonality' (anattánupassaná), of aversion(nibbidanupassaná), detachment (viráganupassaná), extinction (nirodha), ahandonment(patinissagga), with regard to corporcality, feeling, perception, mental formations andconsciousness.... That in contemplating the impermanency one is no more agitated by the ideaof grasping ... no more by ignorance and the defilements associated therewith and no more bythe groups of existence: this is called the power of insight" (Pts.M. p. 97)."Two things are conducive to knowledge: tranquillity and insight. If tranquillity is developed,what profit does it bring? The mind is developed. If the mind is developed, what profit doesit bring? All lust is abandoned."If insight is developed, what profit does it bring? Wisdom is developed. If wisdom isdeveloped, what profit does it bring? All ignorance is abandoned" (A. II, 2.7).