śamatha

Samatha (Pāli), (Sanskrit: शमथ, śamatha^{[note 1]} is the Buddhist practice (bhāvanā) of the calming of the mind (citta) and its 'formations' (saṅkhāra). This is done by practicing single-pointed meditation most commonly through mindfulness of breathing. Samatha is common to many Buddhist traditions, especially those that emphasize meditation.

Contents

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• 1Etymology
• 2Theravāda
  • 2.1Function
  • 2.2Objects of meditation
  • 2.3Variations
  • 2.4Samatha and vipassana
• 3Indo-Tibetan tradition
  • 3.1Mahayana sūtras
    • 3.1.1Dhyana
  • 3.2Factors in śamatha
    • 3.2.1Nine mental abidings
    • 3.2.2Five faults and eight antidotes
      • 3.2.2.1Five faults
      • 3.2.2.2Eight antidotes
    • 3.2.3Six Powers
    • 3.2.4Four modes of mental engagement
  • 3.3Mahāmudrā and dzogchen
  • 3.4Relationship with vipaśyanā
• 4Similar practices in other religions
• 5See also
• 6Notes
• 7References
• 8Sources
• 9External links