Samapatti
Encyclopedia
Samāpatti is a common term for both Theravada
Buddhism
and Hindu
Yoga
, quodammodo also for Jainism
, frequently used as a synonym for samādhi
. Samāpatti stands for correct (samyag) acquisition (āpatti) of Truth. It is a form of alaukika-pratyakṣa (extraordinary perception) forming thus a legitimate part of the perceptual (pratyakṣa) instruments of adequate knowledge (pramāṇa
).
In the Pātañjala Yoga, samāpatti is discussed as the universal form of the Yoga
called samprajñāta-yoga, or cognitive Yoga, followed by asamprajñāta-yoga, or transcognitive Yoga. It has as its prerequisite the annihilation of all (non-sattvic
) modifications (vṛtti
) of consciousness (citta
).
There are four realms and eight stages of samāpatti.
I. The coarse (sthūla) realm of the physical mahābhūta
world down to the triple atoms (tryaṇuka) and possibly molecules (dvyaṇuka) is covered by
1. Savitarka-samāpatti (meditation requiring further analysis, vitarka
), and
2. Nirvitarka-samāpatti (firm acquisition of the truths about the physical phenomena without whatsoever doubts, samśaya
).
II. The subtle (sūkṣma) world of the atoms and their constituents (tanmātras) down to the primary material (prakritic) "soap" out of which everything physical evolves (bhūtādi) is cognized in two steps:
3. Savicāra-samāpatti (uncertain knowledge requiring further reflection, vicāra
, and
4. Nirvicāra-samāpatti (certain knowledge without whatsoever hesitations, vicikitsā).
The state of the nirvicāra-samāpatti is also known as the dharmamegha, Dharma Cloud, where the truths about this world start pouring like a rain.
III. Nirvicāra-samāpatti brings the sadhaka
into the realm of Sukhavati
because of the happiness associated with the acquisition of the Perfect Dharma; hence the next two stages:
5. Sānanda-samāpatti, perfect knowledge conjoined with happiness (bliss, ānanda
), and
6. Nirānanda-samāpatti, reduction of the pure cognitive ānanda as hampering the further progress of the sādhaka on the way to the final liberation.
IV. The realm of the last fight with samsāra
, where one should destroy the very feeling of I-am (aham asmi, ego sum):
7. Sāsmitā-samāpatti, the sphere of action of the Cartesian Cogito ergo sum which brings the Transcendental Self (Ātman) to wrong identifications with the pure sattvic evolutes of prakṛti, i.e., with manas
-sattva
.
8. Nirasmitā-samāpatti, acquisition of that final stage of meditation where there is no more wrong self-identifications (abhimāna) and the form of the Seer (Draṣṭṛ) coincides with the own-form of Puruṣa, thus allowing Patañjali
to say, "then Draṣṭṛ is established in its own form" (Yoga-sūtra I.3).
Methodologically, from the point of view of their certainty and veridicality, the eight samāpattis can be represented in two formal groups:
1. Savikalpa-samādhi (samāpatti 1, 3, 5, and 7)
2. Nirvikalpa-samādhi (samāpatti 2, 4, 6, and 8)
Theravada
Theravada ; literally, "the Teaching of the Elders" or "the Ancient Teaching", is the oldest surviving Buddhist school. It was founded in India...
Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
and Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
, quodammodo also for Jainism
Jainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
, frequently used as a synonym for samādhi
Samadhi
Samadhi in Hinduism, Buddhism,Jainism, Sikhism and yogic schools is a higher level of concentrated meditation, or dhyāna. In the yoga tradition, it is the eighth and final limb identified in the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali....
. Samāpatti stands for correct (samyag) acquisition (āpatti) of Truth. It is a form of alaukika-pratyakṣa (extraordinary perception) forming thus a legitimate part of the perceptual (pratyakṣa) instruments of adequate knowledge (pramāṇa
Pramana
Pramana is an epistemological term in Hindu and Buddhist dialectic, debate and discourse.Pramāṇavāda and Hetuvidya can be glossed in English as Indian and Buddhist Epistemology and Logic, respectively.-In Hinduism:...
).
In the Pātañjala Yoga, samāpatti is discussed as the universal form of the Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
called samprajñāta-yoga, or cognitive Yoga, followed by asamprajñāta-yoga, or transcognitive Yoga. It has as its prerequisite the annihilation of all (non-sattvic
Sattva
In Hindu philosophy, sattva is the most rarefied of the three gunas in Samkhya, sāttvika "pure", rājasika "dim", and tāmasika "dark". Importantly, no value judgement is entailed as all guna are indivisible and mutually qualifying...
) modifications (vṛtti
Vritti
Vritti, in the context of Hinduism and yoga, is the name given to different tendencies, or psycho-physical propensities, which give scope for the mind to express a variety of feelings and emotions. Hindu texts describe vritties to be a result of past actions and experiences that have left an...
) of consciousness (citta
Citta
Citta was one of the chief lay disciples of the Buddha. He was a wealthy merchant from Savatthi. His life and character were so pure that near his death, had he wished to be a chakravartin, it would've been granted. However, he turned down this wish as it was temporal...
).
There are four realms and eight stages of samāpatti.
I. The coarse (sthūla) realm of the physical mahābhūta
Mahabhuta
Mahābhūta is Sanskrit and Pāli for "great element." In Buddhism, the "four great elements" are earth, water, fire and air...
world down to the triple atoms (tryaṇuka) and possibly molecules (dvyaṇuka) is covered by
1. Savitarka-samāpatti (meditation requiring further analysis, vitarka
Vitarka
वितर्कः Vitarka or Vitarkah in Buddhism, one of forty mind-associated saṃskārā. Vitarka or savitarka describes the nature of consciousness in the first stage of samprajnata-samadhi...
), and
2. Nirvitarka-samāpatti (firm acquisition of the truths about the physical phenomena without whatsoever doubts, samśaya
Samsaya
Sampda "Samsaya" Sharma is an Indian-Norwegian singer and actress.-Early life:Samsaya or Sampda Sharma by birth name was born in Hamirpur, North-India. She lived in India with her family and moved to Oslo at the age of only eleven months. In Norway she grew up on Ellingsrud in Oslo...
).
II. The subtle (sūkṣma) world of the atoms and their constituents (tanmātras) down to the primary material (prakritic) "soap" out of which everything physical evolves (bhūtādi) is cognized in two steps:
3. Savicāra-samāpatti (uncertain knowledge requiring further reflection, vicāra
Vicara
Vicara means the way mind maintains attention toward any object. It first referred to pre-Hindu yoga, later in Buddhist meditation. It has been translated as "consideration," "deliberation," "examination," and "investigation."-In Buddhism:...
, and
4. Nirvicāra-samāpatti (certain knowledge without whatsoever hesitations, vicikitsā).
The state of the nirvicāra-samāpatti is also known as the dharmamegha, Dharma Cloud, where the truths about this world start pouring like a rain.
III. Nirvicāra-samāpatti brings the sadhaka
Sadhaka
A sādhaka is someone who follows a particular sādhana, or a way of life designed to realize the goal of one's ultimate ideal, whether it is merging with brahman or realization of one's personal deity. The word is related to the Sanskrit sādhu, which is derived from the verb root sādh-, to accomplish...
into the realm of Sukhavati
Sukhavati
Sukhāvatī refers to the western Pure Land of the Buddha Amitābha in Mahāyāna Buddhism. Sukhāvatī translates to "Land of Bliss."-In other languages:In traditional Mahayana Buddhist countries, there are a number of translations for Sukhāvatī....
because of the happiness associated with the acquisition of the Perfect Dharma; hence the next two stages:
5. Sānanda-samāpatti, perfect knowledge conjoined with happiness (bliss, ānanda
Ananda
Ānanda was one of the principal disciples and a devout attendant of the Buddha. Amongst the Buddha's many disciples, Ānanda had the most retentive memory and most of the suttas in the Sutta Pitaka are attributed to his recollection of the Buddha's teachings during the First Buddhist Council...
), and
6. Nirānanda-samāpatti, reduction of the pure cognitive ānanda as hampering the further progress of the sādhaka on the way to the final liberation.
IV. The realm of the last fight with samsāra
Samsara
thumb|right|200px|Traditional Tibetan painting or [[Thanka]] showing the [[wheel of life]] and realms of saṃsāraSaṅsāra or Saṃsāra , , literally meaning "continuous flow", is the cycle of birth, life, death, rebirth or reincarnation within Hinduism, Buddhism, Bön, Jainism, Sikhism, and other...
, where one should destroy the very feeling of I-am (aham asmi, ego sum):
7. Sāsmitā-samāpatti, the sphere of action of the Cartesian Cogito ergo sum which brings the Transcendental Self (Ātman) to wrong identifications with the pure sattvic evolutes of prakṛti, i.e., with manas
Manas
Manas may refer to one of the following:*Manas, a Kyrgyz epic poem with 500,000 lines.*The Pali and Sanskrit term for "mind"; see**Manas **Manas-vijnana, one of the eight consciousnesses taught in Yogacara Buddhism...
-sattva
Sattva
In Hindu philosophy, sattva is the most rarefied of the three gunas in Samkhya, sāttvika "pure", rājasika "dim", and tāmasika "dark". Importantly, no value judgement is entailed as all guna are indivisible and mutually qualifying...
.
8. Nirasmitā-samāpatti, acquisition of that final stage of meditation where there is no more wrong self-identifications (abhimāna) and the form of the Seer (Draṣṭṛ) coincides with the own-form of Puruṣa, thus allowing Patañjali
Patañjali
Patañjali is the compiler of the Yoga Sūtras, an important collection of aphorisms on Yoga practice. According to tradition, the same Patañjali was also the author of the Mahābhāṣya, a commentary on Kātyāyana's vārttikas on Pāṇini's Aṣṭādhyāyī as well as an unspecified work of medicine .In...
to say, "then Draṣṭṛ is established in its own form" (Yoga-sūtra I.3).
Methodologically, from the point of view of their certainty and veridicality, the eight samāpattis can be represented in two formal groups:
1. Savikalpa-samādhi (samāpatti 1, 3, 5, and 7)
2. Nirvikalpa-samādhi (samāpatti 2, 4, 6, and 8)