The Buddha teaches a repeated formula on four meditators distinguished by skill in immersion and eight on remaining and emergence, etc., declaring the one skilled in both to be foremost, applied across this grouped discourse.

SN 34.20-27 Eight on Remaining and Emergence, Etc.

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

“Cattārome, bhikkhave, jhāyī. Katame cattāro?

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

Vīsatimaṁ.

(Purimamūlakāni viya yāva sattavīsatimā ṭhitimūlakasappāyakārīsuttā aṭṭha suttāni pūretabbāni.)

(Ṭhitimūlakaṁ.)

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 ṭhitikusalo hoti, na samādhismiṁ vuṭṭhānakusalo.

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

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

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

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

Tatra, bhikkhave, yvāyaṁ jhāyī …pe…

uttamo ca pavaro cā”ti.

Vīsatimaṁ.

(Purimamūlakāni viya yāva sattavīsatimā ṭhitimūlakasappāyakārīsuttā aṭṭha suttāni pūretabbāni.)

(These eight discourses should be told in full as the previous set.)

(Ṭhitimūlakaṁ.)

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