Samatha & Vipassanā

'Tranquility and insight', are identical with concentration (samādhi) and wisdom (pañña), and form the two branches of mental development (bhāvana).

'Tranquility' is all unperturbed, peaceful and lucid state of mind attained by strong mental concentration. Though as a distinct way of practice, it aims at the attainment of the meditative absorptions (jhāna), a high degree of tranquil concentration (though not necessarily that of the absorptions) is indispensable for insight too. Tranquility frees the mind from impurities and inner obstacles, and gives it greater penetrative strength.

'Insight' (vipassanā) is the penetrative understanding by direct meditative experience of the impermanency, unsatisfactoriness and impersonality of all material and mental phenomena of existence. It is insight that leads to entrance into the supramundane states of holiness and too finally it leads to enlightenment.

"Two things are conducive to knowledge: tranquility and insight. If tranquility is developed, what profit does it bring? The mind is developed. If the mind is developed, what profit does it bring? All lust is abandoned.

"If insight is developed, what profit does it bring? Wisdom is developed. If wisdom is developed, what profit does it bring? All ignorance is abandoned".

I advise everybody should do meditation every day at least morning one hour and evening one hour.

-The End-

News: The rainy retreat is going to start on 9-7-2017 for the year 2017.