Table of Contents

  • STED sammā-samādhi in Pāli suttas
    • STED sammā-samādhi incudes 4j, SN 45.8
      • STED 1st Jhāna
      • STED 2nd Jhāna
      • STED 3rd Jhāna
      • STED 4th Jhāna
    • AN 5.113 sammā-samādhi can withstand sounds, pain, etc.
    • AN 5.139, kings warrior elephant builds on AN 5.113
      • (monk who patiently endures stimuli like warrior elephant is in “samādhi”)
    • AN 7.45, MN 117, DN 18.9: noble right concentration 7 factored
      • SN 45.28 samādhi-suttaṃ, same as AN 7.45 except
    • AN 5.28 noble five-factored right-concentration
      • 5 factors = 4 jhānas + reflection-nimitta + 5 similes
    • AN 4.196 (2. Warrior with sammā samādhi)
      • (11 ways of not-selfing 5uk from anatta lakkhana sutta)
    • Four Jhanas Eng. Trans. By Rupert Gethin
    • SN 48.9, 10: As one of 5 indriya
      • SN 48.9 samādhi-indriya definition is ekagga citta directed towards nirvana
      • SN 48.10 same as SN 48.9 but add 4j
  • STED sammā-samādhi in Āgamas
    • STED four jhānas (EA 12.1)
    • STED four jhānas (MA 2)
      • STED 1st Jhāna
      • STED 2nd Jhāna
      • STED 3rd Jhāna
      • STED 4th Jhāna
    • SA 784 unified, tranquil, not scattered
    • SA 785 mundane and supramundane
  • STED sammā-samādhi in Sanskrit parallels
    • STED four jhānas from Arthaviniścayasūtram
      • STED 1st Jhāna
      • STED 2nd Jhāna
      • STED 3rd Jhāna
      • STED 4th Jhāna
  • STED 4j from Tibetan parallels
    • excerpt, Anālayo's 4sp comparative studies
      • j1
      • j2
      • j3: note body is physical
      • j4
  • It ain't Sammā Samādhi unless it contains A PASS to Nirvana
    • Synopsis
      • SN 48.9 samādhi-indriya definition is ekagga citta directed towards nirvana
      • SN 48.10 same as SN 48.9 but add 4j
    • explicit: Nirvana accessed while one is in jhāna samādhi
      • AN 4.196 (2. Warrior with sammā samādhi)
      • AN 9.36 nirvana accessable from perception attainments, the first 7 of 9 samāpatti
      • AN 11.16: 4j + 4bv + first 3 arupa = 11 doors to deathless
      • KN Iti 52 paṭhama-vedanā: exactly or nearly same verse as SN 36.1
      • KN Iti 54 slightly different version of SN 36.1
      • KN Iti 56 slightly different version of SN 36.1
      • MN 38 4th jhana attain arahantship, 5 senses active
      • MN 52 (same as AN 11.16): 4j + 4bv + first 3 arupa = 11 doors to deathless
      • SN 36.1 samādhi-suttaṃ
    • implicit: Nirvana accessed while one is in jhāna samādhi
      • AN 4.41 S&S and āsava destruction is done while in jhāna samādhi
      • AN 4.41 (3. For sati and sampajaññāya)
      • AN 4.41 (4. For destroying Āsava's)
      • MN 111 similar to AN 9.36
      • SN 56.1 while in samadhi attains 4NT
  • Miscellaneous
    • 7sb links: AN 10.3, 11.3, AN 8.81 , AN 7.65, AN 6.50
    • Passsages suggesting sammā samādhi = citta ekagga
      • AN 4.29 samma samadhi not explicitly defined, but see verse
      • SN 48.9 samādhi-indriya definition is ekagga citta directed towards nirvana
    • AN 10.3, AN 11.3: shows that samādhi-sambojjhanga is sammā samādhi

STED sammā-samādhi in Pāli suttas

STED sammā-samādhi incudes 4j, SN 45.8

STED right concentration

STED 1st Jhāna

vivicc’eva kāmehi
Quite-withdrawn (from) sensual-pleasure-objects,
vivicca akusalehi dhammehi
withdrawn (from) unskillful qualities,
sa-vitakkaṃ sa-vicāraṃ
With-thought, with-evaluation,
vivekajaṃ pīti-sukhaṃ
withdrawal rapture-pleasure,
paṭhamaṃ jhānaṃ upasampajja viharati.
first Jhāna (he) enters, dwells.

STED 2nd Jhāna

Vitakka-vicārānaṃ vūpasamā
Thought-(and)-evaluation stilling,
ajjhattaṃ sampasādanaṃ
internal assurance,
cetaso ekodi-bhāvaṃ
awareness unification,
a-vitakkaṃ a-vicāraṃ
No-Thought, no-evaluation,
samādhi-jaṃ pīti-sukhaṃ
Samādhi-based rapture-pleasure,
dutiyaṃ jhānaṃ upasampajja viharati.
second Jhāna (he) enters, dwells.

STED 3rd Jhāna

pītiyā ca virāgā
Rapture ** fading,
upekkhako ca viharati
Equanimous ** (he) dwells,
sato ca sampajāno,
mindful and alert,
sukhañca kāyena paṭisaṃvedeti,
pleasure with-the-body (he) experiences,
yaṃ taṃ ariyā ācikkhanti —
that those Noble-Ones declare -
‘upekkhako satimā sukha-vihārī’ti
“equanimous (and) mindful (he has) pleasant-abiding.”
tatiyaṃ jhānaṃ upasampajja viharati.
third Jhāna (he) enters, dwells.

STED 4th Jhāna

sukhassa ca pahānā
Pleasure's ** abandoning,
dukkhassa ca pahānā
pain's ** abandoning,
pubbeva somanassa-domanassānaṃ atthaṅgamā
previous elation-(and)-distress disappearance,
A-dukkham-a-sukhaṃ
Neither-pain nor-pleasure
Upekkhā-sati-pārisuddhiṃ
equanimity-(and)-mindfulness-purified,
catutthaṃ jhānaṃ upasampajja viharati
fourth Jhāna (he) enters, dwells.

AN 5.113 sammā-samādhi can withstand sounds, pain, etc.

AN 5.113 sammā-samādhi-suttaṃ
AN 5.113 right concentration discourse
(Note the title of the sutta. There are many suttas in the EBT called “samādhi”, but this is the only one I’ve found that’s called “sammā samādhi”)
…
…
♦ “pañca-hi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato
“five-of-these, *********, qualities, possessing (them),
bhikkhu bhabbo sammā-samādhiṃ
(a) monk [is] capable (of) righteous-undistractable-lucidity,
upasampajja viharituṃ.
[capable of] entering (and) dwelling (in that).
katamehi pañcahi?
Which five?
idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu
Here, monks, (a) monk
1. khamo hoti rūpānaṃ,
1. (can) patiently-endure **** forms,
2. khamo saddānaṃ,
2. (can) patiently-endure sounds,
3. khamo gandhānaṃ,
3. (can) patiently-endure odors,
4. khamo rasānaṃ,
4. (can) patiently-endure tastes,
5. khamo phoṭṭhabbānaṃ.
5. (can) patiently-endure tactile-objects,

AN 5.139, kings warrior elephant builds on AN 5.113

(key word, khamo = resilience, or patient endurance from AN 5.113)
2. ♦ “kathañca, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo khamo hoti saddānaṃ? idha, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo saṅgāmagato hatthisaddaṃ vā sutvā assasaddaṃ vā sutvā rathasaddaṃ vā sutvā pattisaddaṃ vā sutvā bheripaṇavasaṅkhatiṇavaninnādasaddaṃ vā sutvā na saṃsīdati na visīdati, santhambhati sakkoti saṅgāmaṃ otarituṃ. evaṃ kho, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo khamo hoti saddānaṃ.
2. “And how is a king’s elephant resilient to sounds? There is the case where a king’s elephant, having gone into battle, hears the sound of elephants, the sound of cavalry, the sound of chariots, the sound of foot soldiers, the resounding din of drums, cymbals, conchs, & tom-toms, but he doesn’t falter or faint, he steels himself and engages in the battle. This is how a king’s elephant is resilient to sounds.
3. ♦ “kathañca, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo khamo hoti gandhānaṃ? idha, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo saṅgāmagato ye te rañño nāgā abhijātā saṅgāmāvacarā tesaṃ muttakarīsassa gandhaṃ ghāyitvā na saṃsīdati na visīdati, santhambhati sakkoti saṅgāmaṃ otarituṃ. evaṃ kho, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo khamo hoti gandhānaṃ.
3. “And how is a king’s elephant resilient to aromas? There is the case where a king’s elephant, having gone into battle, smells the stench of the urine & feces of those pedigreed royal elephants who are at home in the battlefield, but he doesn’t falter or faint, he steels himself and engages in the battle. This is how a king’s elephant is not resilient to aromas.
…
5. ♦ “kathañca, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo khamo hoti phoṭṭhabbānaṃ? idha, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo saṅgāmagato ekena vā saravegena viddho, dvīhi vā tīhi vā catūhi vā pañcahi vā saravegehi viddho na saṃsīdati na visīdati, santhambhati sakkoti saṅgāmaṃ otarituṃ. evaṃ kho, bhikkhave, rañño nāgo khamo hoti phoṭṭhabbānaṃ.
5. “And how is a king’s elephant resilient to tactile sensations? There is the case where a king’s elephant, having gone into battle, is pierced by a flight of arrows, two flights, three flights, four flights, five flights of arrows, but he doesn’t falter or faint, he steels himself and engages in the battle. This is how a king’s elephant is resilient to tactile sensations.

(monk who patiently endures stimuli like warrior elephant is in “samādhi”)

2. ♦ “kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khamo hoti saddānaṃ? idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sotena saddaṃ sutvā rajanīye sadde na sārajjati, sakkoti cittaṃ samādahituṃ. evaṃ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khamo hoti saddānaṃ.
2. “And how is a monk resilient to sounds? There is the case where a monk, on hearing a sound with the ear, feels no passion for a sound that incites passion and can undistractify-&-lucidify his mind. This is how a monk is resilient to sounds.
3. ♦ “kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khamo hoti gandhānaṃ. idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ghānena gandhaṃ ghāyitvā rajanīye gandhe na sārajjati, sakkoti cittaṃ samādahituṃ. evaṃ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khamo hoti gandhānaṃ.
3. “And how is a monk resilient to aromas? There is the case where a monk, on smelling an aroma with the nose, feels no passion for an aroma that incites passion and can undistractify-&-lucidify his mind. This is how a monk is resilient to aromas.
5. ♦ “kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khamo hoti phoṭṭhabbānaṃ? idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāyena phoṭṭhabbaṃ phusitvā rajanīye phoṭṭhabbe na sārajjati, sakkoti cittaṃ samādahituṃ. evaṃ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khamo hoti phoṭṭhabbānaṃ.
5. “And how is a monk resilient to tactile sensations? There is the case where a monk, on touching a tactile sensation with the body, feels no passion for a tactile sensation that incites passion and can undistractify-&-lucidify his mind. This is how a monk is resilient to tactile sensations.

AN 7.45, MN 117, DN 18.9: noble right concentration 7 factored

AN 7.45 samādhi-parikkhāra-suttaṃ
AN 7.45 concentration-Accessories-discourse
♦ 45. “satt-ime, bhikkhave, samādhi-parikkhārā.
“[There are] seven-(of)-these, *********, concentration-accessories.
katame satta?
What seven?
sammādiṭṭhi, sammāsaṅkappo,
Right view, right intention,
sammāvācā, sammākammanto, sammāājīvo,
right speech, right action, right livelihood,
sammāvāyāmo, sammāsati.
right effort, and right mindfulness.
yā kho, bhikkhave,
what ever, *********,
imehi sattah-aṅgehi
(with) these seven-factors
cittass-ekaggatā parikkhatā,
(that the) mind's-unification (is) equipped (with),
ayaṃ vuccati, bhikkhave,
that (is) called, *********,
ariyo sammā-samādhi sa-upaniso itipi sa-parikkhāro itipī”ti.
noble right-concentration with-supports ***** &-with-accessories *****.’”

SN 45.28 samādhi-suttaṃ, same as AN 7.45 except

(it begins slightly differently...)
♦ 28. sāvatthinidānaṃ. “ariyaṃ vo, bhikkhave, sammāsamādhiṃ desessāmi saupanisaṃ saparikkhāraṃ. taṃ suṇātha.
At Sāvatthı̄. “Bhikkhus, I will teach you noble right concentration with its supports and its accessories. Listen to that….
katamo ca, bhikkhave, ariyo sammāsamādhi saupaniso saparikkhāro?
“And what, bhikkhus, is noble right concentration with its supports and its accessories?
seyyathidaṃ —
There are:

AN 5.28 noble five-factored right-concentration

5 factors = 4 jhānas + reflection-nimitta + 5 similes

AN 5.28 Pañc-aṅgika-sutta
AN 5.28 Five-Factored-discourse
“Ariyassa, bhikkhave, pañc-aṅgikassa sammā-samādhissa
(This) Noble, ********, five-factored right-concentration;
…
…
Puna ca-paraṃ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno
Again, and-furthermore, *********, ********
paccavekkhaṇā-nimittaṃ sug-gahitaṃ hoti
(the) reviewing-sign {has been} well-grasped ****,
su-manasikataṃ sū-(u)padhāritaṃ sup-paṭividdhaṃ paññāya.
well-attended, well-sustained, well-penetrated (by) wisdom.

AN 4.196 (2. Warrior with sammā samādhi)

1160 ♦ “seyyathāpi, sāḷha,
1160(2) “Just as the
yodhājīvo dūrepātī;
warrior (is a) long-distance shooter,
evamevaṃ kho, sāḷha, ariya-sāvako
so too, mr. sāḷha, (the) noble-one's-disciple
sammā-samādhi hoti.
(has) righteous-undistractable-lucidity.
sammā-samādhi, sāḷha,
[Using] righteous-undistractable-lucidity, mr. sāḷha,
ariya-sāvako
(the) noble-one's-disciple [regards]

(11 ways of not-selfing 5uk from anatta lakkhana sutta)

yaṃ kiñci rūpaṃ
Whatever kind of form (there is)—
atīt-ānāgata-pacc-uppannaṃ
whether past, future, or presently-arisen,
ajjhattaṃ vā bahiddhā vā
internal or external,
oḷārikaṃ vā sukhumaṃ vā
gross or subtle,
hīnaṃ vā paṇītaṃ vā
inferior or superior,
yaṃ dūre santike vā
far or near—
sabbaṃ rūpaṃ
{he sees} all form (as):
‘n-etaṃ mama,
‘This is not mine,
n-eso-ham-asmi,
this I am not,
na meso attā’ti
this is not my self.’
evametaṃ yathā-bhūtaṃ
thus,-this as-it-[actually]-is,
sammap-paññāya passati.
(with) right-discernment (he) sees.
yā kāci vedanā ... pe ...
Whatever kind of feeling there is …
yā kāci saññā...
Whatever kind of perception there is …
ye keci saṅkhārā...
Whatever kind of volitional activities there are …
yaṃ kiñci viññāṇaṃ atītānāgatapaccuppannaṃ ...
Whatever kind of consciousness there is—whether past,...
sammappaññāya passati.
...(with) right-discernment (he) sees.

Four Jhanas Eng. Trans. By Rupert Gethin

.
.
Professor of Buddhist Studies in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies and codirector of the Centre for Buddhist Studies at the University of Bristol, and (since 2003) president of the Pali Text Society. He holds a BA in Comparative Religion (1980), a master's degree in Buddhist Studies (1982), and a PhD in Buddhist Studies (1987), all from the University of Manchester. He was appointed Lecturer in Indian Religions by the University of Bristol in 1987, and then Professor In Buddhist Studies in 2009.
Sayings of the Buddha, Oxford University Press, 2008.
This from DN 2 Samannaphala Sutta, pgs 28-29.
When he sees that the five hindrances have been given up in himself,
gladness arises, and when one is glad, joy arises. When the mind is
joyful, the body becomes tranquil, and when the body is tranquil one
experiences happiness; the mind of someone who is happy becomes
concentrated.
First Jhana
Completely secluded from sense desires and unwholesome
qualities, he lives having attained the joy and happiness of the first
absorption, which is accompanied by thinking and examining, and born of
seclusion.
Second Jhāna
by stilling thinking and examining, a monk lives having attained the joy
and happiness of the second absorption, a state of inner clarity and
mental unification that is without thinking and examining, and is born
of concentration.
Third Jhāna
by having no desire for joy a monk lives equanimously, mindful and fully
aware; he experiences the bodily happiness of which the noble ones speak
saying "equanimous and mindful, one lives happily", and so lives having
attained the third absorption
Fourth Jhāna
by letting go of happiness and unhappiness, as a result of the earlier
dispappearance of pleasure and pain, a monk lives having attained the
pure equanimity and mindfulness of the fourth absorption, which is free
of happiness and unhappiness.
Rupert Gethin's pali word translations
Appamāda attentiveness
Āsava taints
Attan self
Bala powers
Bhikkhu monk
Bodhi awakening
Citta = mind
Dhamma Truth, practice, qualities, teaching
Diṭṭhi view
Domanassa unhappyness
Dukkha suffering
Indriya faculties, senses
Jhāna absorption
Kamma action
Khandha aggregates
Kāma sense desire
Manasikāra attention
Metta friendliness
Nibbidā disenchantment
Nirodha cessation
Nīvaraṇa hindrances
Padhāna application
Passaddhi tranquillity
Paññā wisdom
Paṭicca samuppāda dependent arising
Rūpa form
Sacca truth
Samatha calm
Sampajaññā awareness
Samādhi concentration
Sankhāra forces, volitional conditions
Sati mindfulness
Saññā conceiving
Saɱyojana fetters
Sila moral behavior
Taṇhā craving
Upekkhā equanimity
Vedana feelings
Vicara examining
Vipassana insight
Viriya energy
Virāga dispassion
Vitakka thinking
Viññaṇā consciousness

SN 48.9, 10: As one of 5 indriya

Note that what makes this interesting and distinctive from the STED sammā samādhi is that it must be directed towards attaining Nirvana to make it right concentration.

SN 48.9 samādhi-indriya definition is ekagga citta directed towards nirvana

♦ “katamañ-ca, bhikkhave, samādh-indriyaṃ?
"{And}-what, monks, (is) undistractable-lucidity-faculty?
idha, bhikkhave, ariya-sāvako
Here, monks, (a) disciple-of-the-noble-ones,
vossagg-ārammaṇaṃ karitvā
{having made} release-(as the)-object
labhati samādhiṃ,
(he) obtains undistractable-lucidity,
labhati cittassa ekaggataṃ —
(he) obtains mind’s singularity -
idaṃ vuccati, bhikkhave, samādh-indriyaṃ.
this (is) called, *********, undistractable-lucidity-faculty.

SN 48.10 same as SN 48.9 but add 4j

STED sammā-samādhi in Āgamas


STED four jhānas (EA 12.1)

In Ekottarāgama 12.1, one of the Chinese āgama parallels for MN 10, the 4 jhānas are actively developed, as part of 4sp under Dhamma-anupassana, not passively examined from outside of jhāna as in DN 22 (mahā satipaṭṭhāna sutta) describes the 4j. In EA 12.1, Dhamma-anupassana only has 2 subjects, 7sb (awakening-factors) and 4 jhānas. The 5 hindrances are in the prelude section of the sutra that comes before all 4sp, rather then being part of Dhamma-anupassana as in MN 10 and the MA parallel. In EA 12.1 Dhamma-anupassana, there’s an unmistakable moment by moment practice with samma samādhi, 7sb, 4j, and 4sp inextricably interwoven here, with no clean boundaries between them unlike Theravada that tries to segregate sati from samādhi, tranquility from insight.

(1st jhāna)

「復次,比 丘!Fù cì, bǐqiū!
“Further more, Bhikkhus!
於愛欲解脫,Wū àiyù jiětuō,
free from craving for sensual pleasures,
除惡不-善法,Chú è bùshàn fǎ,
removing evil (and) un-wholesome dhamma [qualities],
有覺、有觀,Yǒu jué, yǒu guān,
with coarse-thinking (and) with subtle-thinking,
有猗念,Yǒu yī niàn,
with tranquility (and) mindfulness,
樂於初禪而自娛樂。Lèwū chū chán ér zì yúlè.
(he) delights in first Jhāna, and he experiences delight.
(jhāna is satipaṭṭhāna refrain)
如是,Rúshì,
In this way,
比丘 法 Bǐqiū fǎ
(a) Bhikkhu [in regard to] dhammas,
法相 fǎxiāng
(those) dhamma characteristics
觀意止。 Guān yì zhǐ.
(he) contemplates (as a) satipaṭṭhāna.
(A note on vitakka and vicāra)
Ven. Anālayo translated jue and guan as “directed awareness and sustained contemplation,” but that’s a translation based on an extrapolation of the literal reading of some archaic characters (in non-Buddhist Chinese contexts, they mean “realize” and “observe,” respectively). The Mahaprajnaparamita-sastra and the Yogacarabhumi (texts that are traditionally used as dictionaries), among others, explain that jue and guan should be understood as “coarse thinking” and “subtle thinking,” respectively.

(2nd jhāna)

「復次,比 丘!Fù cì, bǐqiū!
“Further more, Bhikkhus!
捨有覺、有觀,Shě yǒu jué, yǒu guān,
discarding coarse-thinking (and) subtle-thinking,
內 發歡喜,Nèi fā huānxǐ,
Internally arousing joy
專其一意,Zhuān qí yīyì,
the mind being unified,
成無覺、無觀,Chéng wú jué, wú guān,
achieved no coarse-thinking (and) no subtle-thinking,
念猗 Niàn yī
mindful (and) tranquil,
喜安, xǐ'ān,
(with) joy (and) ease,
遊二禪而自娛樂。Yóu èr chán ér zì yúlè.
(he) travels-to second Jhāna and he-himself (experiences) happy pleasure [sukha].
(jhāna is satipaṭṭhāna refrain)
如是,Rúshì,
In this way,
比丘 法 Bǐqiū fǎ
(a) Bhikkhu [in regard to] dhammas,
法相 fǎxiāng
(those) dhamma characteristics
觀意止。 Guān yì zhǐ.
(he) contemplates (as a) satipaṭṭhāna.

(3rd jhāna)

「復次,比 丘!Fù cì, bǐqiū!
“Further more, Bhikkhus!
捨於念,Shě wū niàn,
discarding [joy] mindfully
修於護,xiū wū hù,
(he) cultivates equanimity in this respect,
恒自覺知 身覺樂,héng zìjué zhī shēn jué lè,
constantly he experiences (and) knows (with his) body the-experience-of pleasure [sukha].
諸賢聖所求,zhūxián shèng suǒ qiú,
as sought after by noble ones,
護念清淨,hù niàn qīngjìng,
equanimity (and) mindfulness, (are) pure-(and)-clean,
行於三 禪。xíng wū sān chán.
(he) engages in third Jhāna.
(jhāna is satipaṭṭhāna refrain)
如是,Rúshì,
In this way,
比丘 法 Bǐqiū fǎ
(a) Bhikkhu [in regard to] dhammas,
法相 fǎxiāng
(those) dhamma characteristics
觀意止。 Guān yì zhǐ.
(he) contemplates (as a) satipaṭṭhāna.

(4th jhāna)

「復次,比 丘!Fù cì, bǐqiū!
“Further more, Bhikkhus!
捨 苦樂心,Shě kǔ lè xīn,
discarding pain [dukkha] (and) pleasure [sukha] (of) heart/mind,
無復憂喜,wú fù yōu xǐ,
without sadness (and) joy,
無苦無樂,wú kǔ wú lè,
without pain [dukkha] (and) without pleasure [sukha],
護念清淨,hù niàn qīngjìng,
equanimity (and) mindfulness, (are) pure-(and)-clean,
樂 於四禪。lèwū sì chán.
(He) delights in fourth Jhāna.
(jhāna is satipaṭṭhāna refrain)
如是,Rúshì,
In this way,
比丘 法 Bǐqiū fǎ
(a) Bhikkhu [in regard to] dhammas,
法相 fǎxiāng
(those) dhamma characteristics
觀意止。 Guān yì zhǐ.
(he) contemplates (as a) satipaṭṭhāna.

(arising, ceasing, pari-mukhaṃ refrain)

彼行習 法,Bǐ xíng xí fǎ,
“he practices the venue to [its] origination,
行盡法,Xíng jǐn fǎ,
he practices the venue to [its] cessation,
并行習盡之法 Bìngxíng xí jǐn zhī fǎ
and he practices the venue to both [its] origination and cessation.”
而自娛樂, ér zì yúlè,
experiencing joy in himself [by removing evil thoughts and being free from worry and sorrow].
便 得法意止 Biàn défǎ yì zhǐ
He gains the satipaṭṭhāna of dharmas
而現在前。 ér xiànzài qián. (pari-mukha)
and keeps it present in front [of himself].
(A note on pari-mukha)
Visuddhimagga apologists often explain the parimukha-instruction as “bringing attentional focus” to one’s nose-tip. But Chinese passages where that instruction occur actually are virtually identical to what you find here in EA. Here in EA, the expression clearly means something to the effect of “keeping it present,” as a nose-tip focus would not be a sensible starting point for dharma-based satipatthana. If it means “keeping it present” here, why would it mean “fixing on nose-tip” elsewhere?
(EA 12.1 translation notes for STED 4 jhānas and 4sp)
護 is equanimity. This is peculiar to this EA recension.
捨 (Shě) is what most Chinese Agamas have for equanimity.
樂 as sukha is a noun sometimes, but also gets used as a verb "to enjoy" or "to delight in". (such as in 4th jhāna)
意止 (yì zhǐ) in EA is satipaṭṭhāna.
念住 (nianzhu) is the phrase for satipaṭṭhāna used in most Chinese agamas.

STED four jhānas (MA 2)

(excerpt from MA #2, MADHYAMA ĀGAMA (MIDDLE-LENGTH DISCOURSES) VOLUME I)

STED 1st Jhāna

(english from chinese)
(english from Pāli for comparison)
separated from desires,
Quite-withdrawn (from) sensual-pleasure-objects,
separated from evil and unwholesome states,
withdrawn (from) unskillful qualities,
with initial and sustained application of the mind,
With-thought, with-evaluation,
with joy and happiness born of separation,
withdrawal rapture-pleasure,
dwells having attained the first absorption.
first Jhāna (he) enters, dwells.

STED 2nd Jhāna

through the calming of initial and sustained application of the mind,
Thought-(and)-evaluation stilling,
with inward stillness
internal assurance,
and mental onepointedness,
awareness unification,
without initial and sustained application of the mind,
No-Thought, no-evaluation,
with joy and happiness born of concentration,
Samādhi-based rapture-pleasure,
dwells having attained the second absorption.
second Jhāna (he) enters, dwells.

STED 3rd Jhāna

separated from joy and desire,
Rapture ** fading,
dwelling in equanimity and not seeking anything,
Equanimous ** (he) dwells,
with right mindfulness and right attentiveness,
mindful and alert,
experiencing pleasure with the body,
pleasure with-the-body (he) experiences,
dwells having attained the third absorption,
that those Noble-Ones declare -
which the noble ones speak of as noble equanimity and mindfulness,
“equanimous (and) mindful (he has) pleasant-abiding.”
a happy abode.
third Jhāna (he) enters, dwells.

STED 4th Jhāna

with the cessation of pleasure
Pleasure's ** abandoning,
and pain,
pain's ** abandoning,
and with the earlier cessation of joy and displeasure,
previous elation-(and)-distress disappearance,
with neither-painnor-pleasure,
Neither-pain nor-pleasure
equanimity, mindfulness, and purity,
equanimity-(and)-mindfulness-purified,
dwells having attained the fourth absorption.
fourth Jhāna (he) enters, dwells.

SA 784 unified, tranquil, not scattered

(from SC forum)
何等為正定?
What is Right Samādhi?
謂住心不亂,
That is to say, abiding with the mind not scattered,
堅固攝持,
firm and collected,
寂止、三昧、
with tranquility, samādhi,
一心
and unity of mind.

SA 785 mundane and supramundane

(from SC forum)
何等為正定?正定有二種:有正定世俗、有漏、有取、轉向善趣,有正定是聖、出世間、無漏、不取、正盡苦、轉向苦邊。
What is Right Samādhi? Right Samādhi has two types: there is Right Samādhi that is worldly, with outflows, with grasping, oriented towards a good destiny, and there is Right Samādhi that is noble, supramundane, without outflows, not grasping, correctly extinguishing suffering, oriented towards the end of suffering.
何等為正定世俗、有漏、有取、轉向善趣?若心住不亂不動,攝受寂止、三昧、一心,是名正定世俗、有漏、有取、轉向善趣。
What is Right Samādhi that is worldly, with outflows, with grasping, oriented towards a good destiny? If the mind abides without disorder, without movement, and collected, with tranquility, samādhi, and unity of mind, then this is called Right Samādhi that is worldly, with outflows, with grasping, oriented towards a good destiny.
何等為正定是聖、出世間、無漏、不取、正盡苦、轉向苦邊?謂聖弟子,苦、苦思惟,集,滅,道、道思惟,無漏思惟相應心法,住不亂不散,攝受寂止、三昧、一心,是名正定是聖、出世間、無漏、不取、正盡苦、轉向苦邊。
What is Right Samādhi that is noble, supramundane, without outflows, correctly extinguishing suffering, oriented towards the end of suffering? That is to say, a noble disciple contemplates suffering, accumulation, cessation, and the path, contemplating the path, contemplating without outflows associated with mental dharmas, abiding without disorder and without scattering, collected, with tranquility, samādhi, and unity of mind, then this is called Right Samādhi that is noble, supramundane, without outflows, without grasping, correctly extinguishing suffering, and oriented towards the end of suffering.

STED sammā-samādhi in Sanskrit parallels

STED four jhānas from Arthaviniścayasūtram

(excerpt from The Discourse giving the Analysis of the Topics)

STED 1st Jhāna

(english from Ven. Ānandajoti)
(english from Pāli for comparison)
quite secluded from sense desires,
Quite-withdrawn (from) sensual-pleasure-objects,
secluded from wicked and unwholesome things,
withdrawn (from) unskillful qualities,
having thinking, reflection,
With-thought, with-evaluation,
and the happiness and rapture born of seclusion,
withdrawal rapture-pleasure,
dwells having attained the first absorption.
first Jhāna (he) enters, dwells.

STED 2nd Jhāna

With the stilling of thinking and reflection,
Thought-(and)-evaluation stilling,
with internal clarity,
internal assurance,
and one-pointedness of mind,
awareness unification,
being without thinking, without reflection,
No-Thought, no-evaluation,
having the happiness and rapture born of concentration,
Samādhi-based rapture-pleasure,
he dwells having attained the second absorption.
second Jhāna (he) enters, dwells.

STED 3rd Jhāna

With the fading away of rapture
Rapture ** fading,
he dwells equanimous,
Equanimous ** (he) dwells,
mindful, clearly knowing,
mindful and alert,
experiencing happiness through the body,
pleasure with-the-body (he) experiences,
about which the Noble Ones declare:
that those Noble-Ones declare -
He lives pleasantly, mindful, and equanimous,
“equanimous (and) mindful (he has) pleasant-abiding.”
(thus) he dwells having attained the third absorption.
third Jhāna (he) enters, dwells.

STED 4th Jhāna

Having given up pleasure
Pleasure's ** abandoning,
and given up pain,
pain's ** abandoning,
and with the previous disappearance of mental well-being and sorrow,
previous elation-(and)-distress disappearance,
without pain, without pleasure,
Neither-pain nor-pleasure
and with complete purity of mindfulness and equanimity,
equanimity-(and)-mindfulness-purified,
he dwells having attained the fourth absorption.
fourth Jhāna (he) enters, dwells.

STED 4j from Tibetan parallels

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excerpt, Anālayo's 4sp comparative studies

VII.5 THE CONDITIONING NATURE OF FEELINGS
... Examples of the second type of pleasant feeling, those that do not lead to unwholesome repercussions, are given in the Tibetan version as follows:

j1

Here a noble disciple, being free from sensual desire and free from bad and unwholesome states, with [directed] comprehension and [sustained] discernment, and with joy and happiness arisen from seclusion, dwells having fully attained the first absorption.

j2

With the stilling of [directed] comprehension and [sustained] discernment, with complete inner confidence and unification of the mind, free from [directed] comprehension and [sustained] discernment, with joy and happiness arisen from concentration, [a noble disciple] dwells having fully attained the second absorption.

j3: note body is physical

With the fading away of joy, dwelling equanimous with mindfulness and comprehension, experiencing just happiness with the body, what the noble ones reckon an equanimous and mindful dwelling in happiness, [a noble disciple] dwells having fully attained the third absorption. Such pleasant feelings do not increase desire, but [instead lead to] abandoning it.
The Majjhima-nikāya and Madhyama-āgama parallels differ in so far as they illustrate the type of pleasant feeling that is not related to desire with the example of the first absorption alone,21 without bringing in the second and the third absorption.
Here is the description of painful and neutral feelings that do not lead to unwholesome repercussions in the Tibetan version:
Here a noble disciple generates an aspiration for supreme liberation: “When shall I dwell fully realizing that sphere, which the noble ones dwell having fully realized?” The mental displeasure and painful feeling [due to] that aspiration, that pursuit, and that longing do not increase aversion, but [instead] abandon it …

j4

Here a noble disciple, leaving behind happiness and leaving behind pain, with the earlier disappearance of mental pleasure and displeasure, with neither happiness nor pain, and with completely pure equanimity and mindfulness, dwells having fully attained the fourth absorption. Such neutral feelings do not increase ignorance, but [instead lead to] abandoning it.

It ain't Sammā Samādhi unless it contains A PASS to Nirvana

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Synopsis

A PASS = ariya pañca-aṅgika sammā-samādhi = noble five-factored righteous-undistractable-lucidity (AN 5.28)
When you think of SS (Sammā Samādhi), what probably comes to mind first is SS = 4j (four jhānas), as defined in SN 45.8. That's canonical, and it's not wrong, but there are some problems with that definition.
AN 4.123 is one of several passages in the EBT that shows some of the problems with taking SN 45.8 samma samadhi definition as being only 4j.
(...An ordinary person doing 4j formula during life and at moment of death is reborn in deva realm...)
A run-of-the-mill person having stayed there, having used up all the lifespan of those devas, goes to hell, to the animal womb, to the state of the hungry ghosts. But a disciple of the Blessed One, having stayed there, having used up all the lifespan of those devas, is unbound right in that state of being. [nirvana]
I don't know about you, but I don't want to be reborn in hell or the animal realms. There must be other qualities of SS not explicitly stated in SN 45.8. This article will explore the topic in depth, but here's the conclusion in a nutshell.
Ignore the SN 45.8 definition.
It tells you some of the "how", but not the "what" and most importantly the "why".
Instead, use the samādhi-indriya definition of SN 48.10, as the concise summary of SS. And for more detail on the "how", how to develop the 4j to be of high enough quality to break through to liberation, see AN 5.28, "A PASS" to nirvana, and AN 6.29 Udāyi.

SN 48.9 samādhi-indriya definition is ekagga citta directed towards nirvana

♦ “katamañ-ca, bhikkhave, samādh-indriyaṃ?
"{And}-what, monks, (is) undistractable-lucidity-faculty?
idha, bhikkhave, ariya-sāvako
Here, monks, (a) disciple-of-the-noble-ones,
vossagg-ārammaṇaṃ karitvā
{having made} release-(as the)-object
labhati samādhiṃ,
(he) obtains undistractable-lucidity,
labhati cittassa ekaggataṃ —
(he) obtains mind’s singularity -
idaṃ vuccati, bhikkhave, samādh-indriyaṃ.
this (is) called, *********, undistractable-lucidity-faculty.

SN 48.10 same as SN 48.9 but add 4j

This article will also cover the other interesting implied definitions and attributes of SS, and summarize some of the most interesting findings from these threads:
https://discourse.suttacentral.net/t/it-aint-samma-samadhi-unless-it-contains-a-pass-to-nirvana/7527
https://discourse.suttacentral.net/t/is-samma-samadhi-solely-jhana-and-is-jhana-required-for-the-attainment-of-nibbana/7288
https://discourse.suttacentral.net/t/where-in-the-ebt-is-samma-samadhi-defined-as-4-jhanas/7467

explicit: Nirvana accessed while one is in jhāna samādhi

One doesn’t leave jhāna or leave samādhi to access nirvana. There is no access concentration in the EBT.

AN 4.196 (2. Warrior with sammā samādhi)

see passsage above near top

AN 9.36 nirvana accessable from perception attainments, the first 7 of 9 samāpatti

AN 11.16: 4j + 4bv + first 3 arupa = 11 doors to deathless

same as MN 52, 11 doors to deathless. 4j + 4bv + first 3 arupa. Similar to AN 9.36, attaining nirvana while in jhana

KN Iti 52 paṭhama-vedanā: exactly or nearly same verse as SN 36.1

KN Iti 54 slightly different version of SN 36.1

KN Iti 56 slightly different version of SN 36.1

MN 38 4th jhana attain arahantship, 5 senses active

(b.bodhi trans.)
With the abandoning of pleasure and pain…he enters upon and abides in the fourth jhāna…which has neither-pain-nor-pleasure and purity of mindfulness due to equanimity.
(THE ENDING OF THE ROUND: FULL CESSATION)
40.“On seeing a form with the eye, he does not lust after it if it is pleasing; he does not dislike it if it is unpleasing. He abides with mindfulness of the body established, with an immeasurable mind, and he understands as it actually is the deliverance of mind and deliverance by wisdom wherein those evil unwholesome states cease without remainder.413 "" Having thus abandoned favouring and opposing, whatever feeling he feels, whether pleasant or painful or neither-painful-nor-pleasant, he does not delight in that feeling, welcome it, or remain holding to it.414 "" As he does not do so, delight in feelings ceases in him. With the cessation of his delight comes cessation of clinging; with the cessation of clinging, cessation of being; with the cessation of being, cessation of birth; with the cessation of birth, ageing and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and despair cease. Such is the cessation of this whole mass of suffering.
“On hearing a sound with the ear…On smelling an odour with the nose…On tasting a flavour with the tongue…On touching a tangible with the body…On cognizing a mind-object with the mind, he does not lust after it if it is pleasing; he does not dislike it if it is unpleasing…With the cessation of his delight comes cessation of clinging; with the cessation of clinging, cessation of being; with the cessation of being, cessation of birth; with the cessation of birth, ageing and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and despair cease. Such is the cessation of this whole mass of suffering.

MN 52 (same as AN 11.16): 4j + 4bv + first 3 arupa = 11 doors to deathless

Similar to AN 9.36, attaining nirvana while in jhana

SN 36.1 samādhi-suttaṃ

(you don’t leave jhāna or samādhi to do this)
SN 36.1 samādhi-suttaṃ
SN 36.1 concentration-discourse
♦ 249. “tisso imā, bhikkhave, vedanā.
(there are) Three (of) these, *********, feelings.
katamā tisso?
Which three?
sukhā vedanā,
Pleasant feeling,
dukkhā vedanā,
unpleasant feeling,
a-dukkham-a-sukhā vedanā —
neither-unpleasant-nor-pleasant feeling
imā kho, bhikkhave, tisso vedanāti.
these are, *********, (the) three feelings.
♦ “samāhito sampajāno,
Concentrated, comprehending,
sato buddhassa sāvako.
mindful, (a) Buddha's disciple.
♦ vedanā ca pajānāti,
feelings (he) ** understands,
vedanānañ-ca sambhavaṃ.
and-feelings' origin,
♦ “yattha cetā nirujjhanti,
where **** (they) cease,
maggañ-ca khaya-gāminaṃ.
and-(the)-path (that) {leads}-(to their)-destruction.
♦ vedanānaṃ khayā bhikkhu,
(with) feelings' destruction, (a) monk,
nic-chāto pari-nibbuto”ti.
hunger-less (and) completely-cool."

implicit: Nirvana accessed while one is in jhāna samādhi

AN 4.41 S&S and āsava destruction is done while in jhāna samādhi

AN 4.41 (3. For sati and sampajaññāya)

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, samādhi-bhāvanā bhāvitā bahulīkatā
{and} what, *********, concentration-development, when developed (and) pursued,
Sati-sampajañ-ñāya saṃvattati?
(to) mindfulness-(and)-clear-comprehension (it) leads?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno
Here, monks, a-monk:
viditā vedanā uppajjanti,
known (are) feelings (as they) arise,
viditā upaṭṭhahanti,
known (as they are) attended-upon,
viditā abbhatthaṃ gacchanti.
known (as they) go to} disappear.
viditā saññā uppajjanti,
known (are) perceptions (as they) arise,
viditā upaṭṭhahanti,
known (as they are) attended-upon,
viditā abbhatthaṃ gacchanti.
known (as they) go to} disappear.
viditā vitakkā uppajjanti,
known (are) thoughts (as they) arise,
viditā upaṭṭhahanti,
known (as they are) attended-upon,
viditā abbhatthaṃ gacchanti.
known (as they) go to} disappear.
Ayaṃ, bhikkhave, samādhi-bhāvanā bhāvitā bahulīkatā
This, *********, concentration-development, when developed (and) pursued,
Sati-sampajañ-ñāya saṃvattati.
mindfulness-(and)-clear-comprehension (it) leads-to.

AN 4.41 (4. For destroying Āsava's)

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, samādhi-bhāvanā bhāvitā bahulīkatā
{And} what **, monks, (is the) concentration-deveopment (that when) developed and pursued,
āsavānaṃ khayāya saṃvattati?
(to the) asinine-inclinations’ destruction (it) leads?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu
Here, monks, a-monk:
pañcasu upādānak-khandhesu
Five clingable-aggregates,
udayabbay-ānupassī viharati:
(their) rise-and-fall-contemplation (he) dwells (in).
‘iti rūpaṃ,
'such (is) form,
iti rūpassa samudayo,
such (is) form’s origination,
iti rūpassa atthaṅgamo;
such (is) form’s passing-away,
iti vedanā,
such (is) feeling,
iti vedanāya samudayo,
such (is) feeling’s origination,
iti vedanāya atthaṅgamo;
such (is) feeling’s passing-away,
iti saññā,
such (is) perception,
iti saññāya samudayo,
such (is) perception’s origination,
iti saññāya atthaṅgamo;
such (is) perception’s passing-away,
iti saṅkhārā,
such (is) fabrications,
iti saṅkhārānaṃ samudayo,
such (is) fabrications’s origination,
iti saṅkhārānaṃ atthaṅgamo;
such (is) fabrications’s passing-away,
iti viññāṇaṃ,
such (is) consciousness,
iti viññāṇassa samudayo,
such (is) consciousness’s origination,
iti viññāṇassa atthaṅgamo’ti.
such (is) consciousness’s passing-away,
Ayaṃ, bhikkhave, samādhi-bhāvanā bhāvitā bahulīkatā
This-is, *********, concentration-development (that) when developed (and) pursued,
āsavānaṃ khayāya saṃvattati.
(to the) asinine-inclinations’ destruction (it) leads.

MN 111 similar to AN 9.36

nirvana accessable from perception attainments, the first 7 of 9 samāpatti

SN 56.1 while in samadhi attains 4NT

“Bhikkhus, develop (samadhi) concentration. A bhikkhu who is concentrated understands things as they really are. (attains 4NT).
(one of the definitinos of asavak-khaya, destruction of asavas, i.e. arahantship, are the 4NT knowledges)

Miscellaneous

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7sb links: AN 10.3, 11.3, AN 8.81 , AN 7.65, AN 6.50

Passsages suggesting sammā samādhi = citta ekagga

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AN 4.29 samma samadhi not explicitly defined, but see verse

♦ “sammā-samādhi, bhikkhave, dhammapadaṃ
(4) Righteous-undistractable-lucidity is a Dhamma footstep,
aggaññaṃ rattaññaṃ
primal, of long standing,
vaṃsaññaṃ porāṇaṃ
traditional, ancient,
asaṃkiṇṇaṃ asaṃkiṇṇapubbaṃ,
un-mixed and never before mixed [with impurities],
na saṃkīyati na saṃkīyissati,
which are not being mixed and will not be mixed,
appaṭikuṭṭhaṃ samaṇehi brāhmaṇehi viññūhi.
which are not repudiated by wise ascetics and brahmins.
…
…

(verse)

♦ “an-abhijjhālu vihareyya,
free-(from)-longing (one) should-dwell,
A-byāpannena cetasā.
no-ill-will (in) mind.
♦ sato ekagga-cittassa,
mindful, singular-mind,
ajjhattaṃ su-samāhito”ti.
internally, thoroughly,-undistractably-lucid [samādhi].

SN 48.9 samādhi-indriya definition is ekagga citta directed towards nirvana

♦ “katamañ-ca, bhikkhave, samādh-indriyaṃ?
"{And}-what, monks, (is) concentration-faculty?
idha, bhikkhave, ariya-sāvako
Here, monks, (a) disciple-of-the-noble-ones,
vossagg-ārammaṇaṃ karitvā
{having made} release-(as the)-object
labhati samādhiṃ,
(he) obtains concentration,
labhati cittassa ekaggataṃ —
(he) obtains {singleness of} mind -
idaṃ vuccati, bhikkhave, samādh-indriyaṃ.
this (is) called, *********, concentration-faculty.

AN 10.3, AN 11.3: shows that samādhi-sambojjhanga is sammā samādhi

1. Sīlavato, bhikkhave, sīla-sampannassa
1. “(for a) virtuous [person], *********, (who has) virtuous-behavior -- in possession,
upanisa-sampanno hoti a-vippaṭisāro;
(the) proximate-cause-is-possessed (by) non-regret.
2. a-vippaṭisāre sati a-vippaṭisāra-sampannassa
2. (when there is) non-regret ****, (for one with) non-regret- in possession,
upanisa-sampannaṃ hoti pāmojjaṃ;
(the) proximate-cause-is-possessed (by) mirth.
3. pāmojje sati pāmojja-sampannassa
3. (When there is) mirth ****, (for one with) mirth- in possession,
upanisa-sampannā hoti pīti;
(the) proximate-cause-is-possessed (by) rapture.
4. pītiyā sati pīti-sampannassa
4. (When there is) rapture ****, (for one with) rapture- in possession,
upanisa-sampannā hoti passaddhi;
(the) proximate-cause-is-possessed (by) pacification.
5. passaddhiyā sati passaddhi-sampannassa
5.(When there is) pacification ****, (for one with) pacification- in possession,
upanisa-sampannaṃ hoti sukhaṃ;
(the) proximate-cause-is-possessed (by) pleasure.
6. sukhe sati sukha-sampannassa
6. (When there is) pleasure ****, (for one with) pleasure- in possession,
upanisa-sampanno hoti sammā-samādhi;
(the) proximate-cause-is-possessed (by) righteous - undistractable-lucidity.
7. sammā-samādhimhi sati sammā-samādhi-sampannassa
7. (When there is) righteous - undistractable-lucidity ****, (for one with) righteous - undistractable-lucidity- in possession,
upanisa-sampannaṃ hoti yathā-bhūta-ñāṇa-dassanaṃ;
(the) proximate-cause-is-possessed (by) knowledge and vision of things as they really are.
8. yathā-bhūta-ñāṇa-dassane sati yathā-bhūta-ñāṇa-dassana-sampannassa
8. (When there is) knowledge and vision of things as they really are ****, (for one with) knowledge and vision of things as they really are - in possession,
upanisa-sampanno hoti nibbidā-virāgo;
(the) proximate-cause-is-possessed (by) disenchantment and dispassion
9. nibbidā-virāge sati nibbidā-virāga-sampannassa
9. (When there is) disenchantment and dispassion ****, (for one with) disenchantment and dispassion - in possession,
10. upanisa-sampannaṃ hoti vimutti-ñāṇa-dassanaṃ.
10. (the) proximate-cause-is-possessed (by) liberation's - knowledge and vision.