Samāpatti


Samāpatti is a common term in Buddhism and Hindu Yoga, frequently used as a synonym for samādhi.

Etymology

Samāpatti stands for correct acquisition of Truth. It is a form of alaukika-pratyakṣa forming thus a legitimate part of the perceptual instruments of adequate knowledge.

Buddhism

In Buddhism, samapatti refers to the four attainments. As per the suttas the samapattis are of a different nature than the four jhānas. The samapatti are not part of the path and are not know to be of any use for realising nibbana.The Buddha in MN 26 The Noble Search sutta after having learned and mastered the samapattis with his two teachers decided to abandon them as he realised that "this teaching does not lead to disenchantment, to dispassion, to nibbana."

Pātañjala Yoga

In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, samāpatti is discussed as the universal form of the Yoga called samprajñāta-samadhi, or savikalpa samadhi, followed by asamprajñāta-samadhi, or nirvikalpa samadhi. It has as its prerequisite the annihilation of all modifications of mind.

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