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Samadhi in Buddhism
Kamla Jain, M. A., Delhi
"Samadhi" is a term of decisive importance in Buddhist literature. A study of practical philosophy of Buddhism is incomplete without having a clear conception of Samadhi It is not exclusively a Buddhistic term; it is prevalent in almost all the schools of Indian Philosophy and religion It is meaningful from the spiritual point of view in all the different schools, and forms a very important step in the path for annihilation of suffering or Dukkha-the ground of all spiritual effort From the Vedas to the Tipitakas of the Buddhists and the Agamas of Jainas, the desirability of the spiritual growth is pronounced because the life is full of suffering, and there is definitely a stage, where final emancipation from all suffering is reached, where there is extinction of Dukkha-Adhyatmika, Adhidevika and Adhibhautika (Spiritual, mental and physical) Hence Buddha talks of a fixed path leading to that stage of Moksa Kaivelya or Nirvana. It is this fixed path which has been called by Buddha Sıla (virtue or morality), Samadni (meditation or concentration) and Panna (knowledge of the ultimete Truth) These include in themselves the so called Astangika Marga (the eightfold path)
Sila means good conduct, morality or physical discipline. This includes Ahimsa (non-killing) Satya (speaking truth) Asteya (non-stealing) Kama mithyacara Viratı (continence) and Sura Mareya Madya Pramadasthana Viratı (abstaining from intoxicants). This physical discipline forms the first step in Buddha's sasana (doctrine) By Samadhi is meant the mental discipline or purification of Citta (mind) through concentration or meditational practices These meditational practices from the very core of Buddhism. Panna is the final stage, which is attained as the end of
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