The Buddha teaches on immersion, presenting a fivefold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 5.27 Immersion

“Samādhiṁ, bhikkhave, bhāvetha appamāṇaṁ nipakā patissatā. Samādhiṁ, bhikkhave, bhāvayataṁ appamāṇaṁ nipakānaṁ patissatānaṁ pañca ñāṇāni paccattaññeva uppajjanti. Katamāni pañca?

‘Ayaṁ samādhi paccuppannasukho ceva āyatiñca sukhavipāko’ti paccattaññeva ñāṇaṁ uppajjati,

‘ayaṁ samādhi ariyo nirāmiso’ti paccattaññeva ñāṇaṁ uppajjati,

‘ayaṁ samādhi akāpurisasevito’ti paccattaññeva ñāṇaṁ uppajjati,

‘ayaṁ samādhi santo paṇīto paṭippassaddhaladdho ekodibhāvādhigato, na sasaṅkhāraniggayhavāritagato’ti paccattaññeva ñāṇaṁ uppajjati,

‘sato kho panāhaṁ imaṁ samāpajjāmi sato vuṭṭhahāmī’ti paccattaññeva ñāṇaṁ uppajjati.

Samādhiṁ, bhikkhave, bhāvetha appamāṇaṁ nipakā patissatā. Samādhiṁ, bhikkhave, bhāvayataṁ appamāṇaṁ nipakānaṁ patissatānaṁ imāni pañca ñāṇāni paccattaññeva uppajjantī”ti.

Sattamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Samādhiṁ, bhikkhave, bhāvetha appamāṇaṁ nipakā patissatā.

“Mendicants, develop limitless immersion, alert and mindful.

Samādhiṁ, bhikkhave, bhāvayataṁ appamāṇaṁ nipakānaṁ patissatānaṁ pañca ñāṇāni paccattaññeva uppajjanti.

When you develop limitless immersion, alert and mindful, five knowledges arise for you personally.

Katamāni pañca?

What five?

‘Ayaṁ samādhi paccuppannasukho ceva āyatiñca sukhavipāko’ti paccattaññeva ñāṇaṁ uppajjati,

‘This immersion is blissful now, and results in bliss in the future.’ …

‘ayaṁ samādhi ariyo nirāmiso’ti paccattaññeva ñāṇaṁ uppajjati,

‘This immersion is noble and not of the flesh.’ …

‘ayaṁ samādhi akāpurisasevito’ti paccattaññeva ñāṇaṁ uppajjati,

‘This immersion is not cultivated by reprobates.’ …

‘ayaṁ samādhi santo paṇīto paṭippassaddhaladdho ekodibhāvādhigato, na sasaṅkhāraniggayhavāritagato’ti paccattaññeva ñāṇaṁ uppajjati,

‘This immersion is peaceful and sublime and tranquil and unified, not held in place by forceful suppression.’ …

‘sato kho panāhaṁ imaṁ samāpajjāmi sato vuṭṭhahāmī’ti paccattaññeva ñāṇaṁ uppajjati.

‘I mindfully enter into and emerge from this immersion.’ …

Samādhiṁ, bhikkhave, bhāvetha appamāṇaṁ nipakā patissatā.

Develop limitless immersion, alert and mindful.

Samādhiṁ, bhikkhave, bhāvayataṁ appamāṇaṁ nipakānaṁ patissatānaṁ imāni pañca ñāṇāni paccattaññeva uppajjantī”ti.

When you develop limitless immersion, alert and mindful, these five knowledges arise for you personally.”

Sattamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Collectedness

Collectedness

A mental quality of composure where awareness is gathered, steady, rather than scattered or tense. In such collectedness, supported by mindfulness and right view, experience is clearly known and can be wisely contemplated.

Also known as: mental composure, stability of mind, stillness of mind, concentration, undistracted awareness
Pāli: samādhi, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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Mindfulness

Mindfulness

Active presence of mind and lucid retention; the faculty that remembers the Dhamma, anchors attention to the chosen object or present experience, and guards the mind against unwholesome states.

Also known as: recollecting, remembering, keeping in mind, presence, awareness
Pāli: sati, anussati
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Undeveloped

Undeveloped

The untrained condition of mind before cultivation, dull and unsteady. Without development, discernment and stability remain immature.

Also known as: not cultivated
Pāli: abhāvita
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Last updated on July 27, 2026