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

SN 34.46-49 Four on Territory and Projection, Etc.

Sāvatthinidānaṁ

“samādhismiṁ gocarakusalo hoti, na samādhismiṁ abhinīhārakusalosamādhismiṁ abhinīhārakusalo hoti, na samādhismiṁ gocarakusaloneva samādhismiṁ gocarakusalo hoti, na ca samādhismiṁ abhinīhārakusalosamādhismiṁ gocarakusalo ca hoti, samādhismiṁ abhinīhārakusalo caseyyathāpi, bhikkhave, gavā khīraṁ, khīramhā dadhi, dadhimhā navanītaṁ, navanītamhā sappi, sappimhā sappimaṇḍo tatra aggamakkhāyati; evameva kho, bhikkhave, yvāyaṁ jhāyī samādhismiṁ gocarakusalo ca hoti samādhismiṁ abhinīhārakusalo ca ayaṁ imesaṁ catunnaṁ jhāyīnaṁ …pe… uttamo ca pavaro cā”ti.

Chacattālīsamaṁ.

“Samādhismiṁ gocarakusalo hoti, na samādhismiṁ sakkaccakārī …pe….

Vitthāretabbaṁ.

Sattacattālīsamaṁ.

“Samādhismiṁ gocarakusalo hoti, na samādhismiṁ sātaccakārī …pe….

Aṭṭhacattālīsamaṁ.

“Samādhismiṁ gocarakusalo hoti, na samādhismiṁ sappāyakārī …pe….

Ekūnapaññāsamaṁ.

(Gocaramūlakaṁ.)

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Sāvatthinidānaṁ

At Sāvatthī.

“samādhismiṁ gocarakusalo hoti, na samādhismiṁ abhinīhārakusalo

“One meditator is skilled in the territory of immersion but not in projecting the mind purified by immersion. …”

samādhismiṁ abhinīhārakusalo hoti, na samādhismiṁ gocarakusalo

neva samādhismiṁ gocarakusalo hoti, na ca samādhismiṁ abhinīhārakusalo

samādhismiṁ gocarakusalo ca hoti, samādhismiṁ abhinīhārakusalo ca

seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, gavā khīraṁ, khīramhā dadhi, dadhimhā navanītaṁ, navanītamhā sappi, sappimhā sappimaṇḍo tatra aggamakkhāyati;

evameva kho, bhikkhave, yvāyaṁ jhāyī samādhismiṁ gocarakusalo ca hoti samādhismiṁ abhinīhārakusalo ca ayaṁ imesaṁ catunnaṁ jhāyīnaṁ …pe…

uttamo ca pavaro cā”ti.

Chacattālīsamaṁ.

“Samādhismiṁ gocarakusalo hoti, na samādhismiṁ sakkaccakārī …pe….

“One meditator is skilled in the territory of immersion but not in practicing carefully for it. …”

Vitthāretabbaṁ.

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

Sattacattālīsamaṁ.

“Samādhismiṁ gocarakusalo hoti, na samādhismiṁ sātaccakārī …pe….

“One meditator is skilled in the territory of immersion but not in practicing persistently for it. …”

Aṭṭhacattālīsamaṁ.

“Samādhismiṁ gocarakusalo hoti, na samādhismiṁ sappāyakārī …pe….

“One meditator is skilled in the territory of immersion but not in doing what’s conducive to it. …”

Ekūnapaññāsamaṁ.

(Gocaramūlakaṁ.)

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
View all discourses →

Last updated on July 27, 2026