The Buddha teaches four meditators—skilled in immersion, in entering and emerging, in both, or in neither—and declares the one skilled in both immersion and entering and emerging to be foremost, best, and finest, like cream of ghee among dairy products.

SN 34.12 Entering and Emerging

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

“Cattārome, bhikkhave, jhāyī. Katame cattāro?

Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco jhāyī samādhismiṁ samāpattikusalo hoti, na samādhismiṁ vuṭṭhānakusalo. Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekacco jhāyī samādhismiṁ vuṭṭhānakusalo hoti, na samādhismiṁ samāpattikusalo. Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekacco jhāyī neva samādhismiṁ samāpattikusalo hoti, na ca samādhismiṁ vuṭṭhānakusalo. Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekacco jhāyī samādhismiṁ samāpattikusalo ca hoti, samādhismiṁ vuṭṭhānakusalo ca. Tatra, bhikkhave, yvāyaṁ jhāyī …pe… pavaro cā”ti.

Dvādasamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

At Sāvatthī.

“Cattārome, bhikkhave, jhāyī.

“Mendicants, there are these four meditators.

Katame cattāro?

What four?

Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco jhāyī samādhismiṁ samāpattikusalo hoti, na samādhismiṁ vuṭṭhānakusalo.

One meditator is skilled in entering immersion but not in emerging from it. …”

Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekacco jhāyī samādhismiṁ vuṭṭhānakusalo hoti, na samādhismiṁ samāpattikusalo.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekacco jhāyī neva samādhismiṁ samāpattikusalo hoti, na ca samādhismiṁ vuṭṭhānakusalo.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekacco jhāyī samādhismiṁ samāpattikusalo ca hoti, samādhismiṁ vuṭṭhānakusalo ca.

Tatra, bhikkhave, yvāyaṁ jhāyī …pe…

pavaro cā”ti.

Dvādasamaṁ.

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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Wisdom

Wisdom

Lived understanding and sound judgment that steers the mind away from suffering, distinct from mere accumulation of facts.

Also known as: (of a person) wise, astute, intelligent, learned, skilled, firm, stable, steadfast, an experiential understanding of the four noble truths
Pāli: paññā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita, asammūḷha
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Last updated on July 27, 2026