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

SN 34.8 Carefulness in Immersion

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

“Cattārome, bhikkhave, jhāyī. Katame cattāro?

Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco jhāyī samādhismiṁ samādhikusalo hoti, na samādhismiṁ sakkaccakārī. Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekacco jhāyī samādhismiṁ sakkaccakārī hoti, na samādhismiṁ samādhikusalo. Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekacco jhāyī neva samādhismiṁ samādhikusalo hoti, na ca samādhismiṁ sakkaccakārī. Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekacco jhāyī samādhismiṁ samādhikusalo ca hoti, samādhismiṁ sakkaccakārī ca. Tatra, bhikkhave, yvāyaṁ jhāyī samādhismiṁ samādhikusalo ca hoti samādhismiṁ sakkaccakārī ca ayaṁ imesaṁ catunnaṁ jhāyīnaṁ aggo ca seṭṭho ca mokkho ca uttamo ca pavaro ca. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, gavā khīraṁ …pe… pavaro cā”ti.

Aṭṭhamaṁ.

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 samādhikusalo hoti, na samādhismiṁ sakkaccakārī.

One meditator is skilled in immersion but not in practicing carefully for it. …”

Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekacco jhāyī samādhismiṁ sakkaccakārī hoti, na samādhismiṁ samādhikusalo.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekacco jhāyī neva samādhismiṁ samādhikusalo hoti, na ca samādhismiṁ sakkaccakārī.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekacco jhāyī samādhismiṁ samādhikusalo ca hoti, samādhismiṁ sakkaccakārī ca.

Tatra, bhikkhave, yvāyaṁ jhāyī samādhismiṁ samādhikusalo ca hoti samādhismiṁ sakkaccakārī ca ayaṁ imesaṁ catunnaṁ jhāyīnaṁ aggo ca seṭṭho ca mokkho ca uttamo ca pavaro ca.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, gavā khīraṁ …pe…

pavaro cā”ti.

Aṭṭhamaṁ.

Topics:

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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Diligence

Diligence

The protective quality of guarding the mind amidst sensory experience. By restraining the faculties, the mind remains unsoiled by attraction.

Also known as: alertness, carefulness, heedfulness, conscientiousness, vigilance
Pāli: appamāda, uṭṭhāna
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Last updated on July 27, 2026