Samatha-vipassana facts for kids

In Buddhism, two important qualities of the mind are developed together: Samatha (meaning "calm" or "peace") and Vipassanā (meaning "insight" or "clear-seeing"). These are not just separate practices. They are like two sides of the same coin, helping people understand the world and themselves better.

In early Buddhist teachings, these qualities were seen as parts of one journey. They grew as people practiced mindfulness and meditation. While meditation was very important, Vipassanā was usually talked about alongside Samatha.

Later, in some Buddhist traditions, Samatha and Vipassanā started to be seen as different methods. Samatha became known as a way to focus the mind and gain concentration. Vipassanā became a practice to gain deep understanding into how things truly are. This understanding often includes seeing that everything is always changing (impermanence), that life can be unsatisfying (suffering), and that there is no fixed "self" (non-self).

What Do These Words Mean?

Samatha: Finding Calm

The word Samatha means "tranquility" or "calm." It's about making your mind peaceful and quiet. Think of it like a stormy lake becoming still and clear. When your mind is calm, it's easier to see things clearly.

In Tibetan Buddhism, Samatha is called shyiné. This word means "pacification" or "slowing down." It also means "to stay" or "to remain." So, Samatha is about bringing peace to your mind and thoughts, allowing them to settle.

Vipassanā: Seeing Clearly

Vipassanā comes from two parts: "vi-" meaning "special" or "clear," and "-passanā" meaning "seeing." So, it literally means "special seeing" or "clear-seeing." It's often translated as "insight."

Imagine looking at something very closely, seeing every tiny part of it. That's what Vipassanā is like for your mind. It means looking into things with great clarity, understanding each part separately. It's about seeing how things truly are, not just how we imagine them to be. It's a direct way of knowing, like seeing something with your own eyes, rather than just hearing about it.

In Tibetan, Vipassanā is called lhaktong. This means "superior seeing" or "great vision." It's about seeing the true nature of things with a clear and bright mind.

How These Practices Developed

Early Buddhist Ideas

In the very first Buddhist teachings, Samatha, meditation, and Vipassanā were all part of one path. They were not separate exercises. Instead, they were qualities of the mind that grew as a person followed the Noble Eightfold Path. This path includes things like being mindful and practicing meditation.

Early texts often talk about meditation as the main practice. They rarely mention Vipassanā by itself. When it is mentioned, it's almost always paired with Samatha. This shows they were seen as two qualities that should be developed together.

For example, some ancient texts say:

• "When tranquility is developed, the mind becomes strong."
• "When insight is developed, understanding grows."
• "When the mind is strong, negative feelings disappear."
• "When understanding grows, confusion disappears."

This means that calm helps your mind become powerful, and insight helps you let go of things that cause trouble.

Seeing Samatha and Vipassanā Separately

Over time, some Buddhist teachers started to explain Samatha and Vipassanā as two different ways to meditate. A famous teacher named Buddhaghosa wrote that Samatha helps you reach deep states of concentration. Then, Vipassanā helps you look at these states with mindfulness, realizing they are also changing.

However, some modern teachers say that early texts don't really show these as completely separate paths. They argue that the idea of "bare insight" (Vipassanā without deep concentration) came later. This idea suggests that just understanding the three qualities of existence (impermanence, suffering, non-self) is enough to reach freedom.

Many teachers today believe that Samatha and Vipassanā are always connected. Calmness leads to insight, and insight leads to more calmness. They are like two parts of the same process.

Vipassanā in Modern Times

For a long time, meditation wasn't widely practiced in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. People believed that full enlightenment might not be possible until a future Buddha arrived. But in the 18th and 19th centuries, meditation was "rediscovered" in Myanmar (Burma). This led to the modern Vipassana movement in the 20th century.

This movement made Vipassanā meditation very popular. It created simpler ways to meditate, focusing on mindfulness and gaining insight. In this approach, Samatha (calming the mind) is seen as a way to prepare for Vipassanā. It helps the mind become peaceful and focused so that insight into impermanence can appear.

The Vipassanā Movement has become very well-known, especially in Western countries. Teachers like Joseph Goldstein and Sharon Salzberg have helped spread these practices. This movement has also inspired the wider "mindfulness movement" that you might hear about today.

Samatha Meditation: Calming the Mind

In the Theravāda tradition, Samatha meditation uses techniques to make the mind calm. This often involves focusing your attention on one thing, like your breath. This practice is called mindfulness of breathing. By focusing on your breath, your mind becomes steady and peaceful. Samatha is often done before or along with Vipassanā practices.

• Objects for Samatha: Some meditations, like focusing on a colored disc (a kasiṇa), are good for developing Samatha. Other practices, like mindfulness of breathing, can help develop both calm and insight.
• Stages of Joy: As you practice Samatha, you might experience different levels of joy or happiness. These feelings come as your mind becomes more focused and peaceful. They can range from slight joy to a feeling that fills your whole body.

Vipassanā Meditation: Gaining Insight

In modern Theravāda, the goal of Vipassanā is to understand that everything is temporary. You do this by being mindful of your body and mind as they change. This helps you see the true nature of things: that they are always changing, can cause suffering, and don't have a fixed "self."

• How it's practiced: You start by practicing good behavior and letting go of worldly desires. Then, you might focus on your breath, simply noticing if it's long or short. In some methods, you gently note or name any thoughts or feelings that arise (like "breathing, breathing" or "thinking, thinking"). By doing this, you become aware of how your senses interact with the world. You also notice how everything is constantly changing. This leads to a deeper understanding of impermanence, suffering, and non-self.

Some teachers say that practicing both Samatha and Vipassanā together can lead to special mental abilities. However, practicing Vipassanā alone can still lead to enlightenment.

Other Buddhist Traditions

Many other Buddhist traditions also practice Samatha and Vipassanā. They often see Samatha (calmness) as a necessary first step before Vipassanā (insight).

Mahāyāna Buddhism

In Mahayana Buddhism, Vipassanā is often about gaining insight into "emptiness." This means understanding that things don't have a fixed, independent existence. They are empty of a separate self.

• Chinese Buddhism: In Chinese Buddhism, teachers like Zhiyi taught about combining calm and insight. They encouraged observing that everything in the world is always changing and that all thoughts arise and disappear quickly. This helps people see that clinging to things can cause suffering.
• Zen Buddhism: The Zen tradition also combines Samatha and Vipassanā. They call this "silent illumination." Zen teachings say that calm is the core of wisdom, and wisdom is the natural function of calm. They are like a lamp and its light—you can't have one without the other. Zen emphasizes sudden insight, followed by continued practice.

Tibetan Buddhism

In Tibetan Buddhism, the practice of Samatha and Vipassanā is very important. Teachers define Samatha as keeping your mind fixed on one object without getting distracted. It's about focusing your mind until it becomes a steady stream of attention.

Vipassanā in Tibetan Buddhism is about "discerning reality" and "realizing the true nature of things." This often involves using reasoning and analysis along with calm meditation. In some special traditions like Mahamudra and Dzogchen, Vipassanā is found by directly looking into your own mind. After this initial insight, you develop the steadiness of Samatha within that understanding.

Many teachers agree that you start with Samatha to calm the mind. Then, you practice Vipassanā to gain insight. Eventually, these two practices become one, leading to a very clear understanding of the true nature of all things.

Similar Practices in Other Religions

The idea of calming the mind and gaining insight isn't unique to Buddhism. Many other religious traditions have similar meditation practices. For example, in Yoga, there's a practice called Dharana which is about concentration, similar to Samatha's single-pointed focus.

See also

• Kammaṭṭhāna
• International Meditation Centre
• Global Vipassana Pagoda
• Jñāna
• Meditation
• Neural mechanisms of mindfulness meditation
• Secular Buddhism
• Upasana
• Vipassana Meditation Centre
• Vipassī Buddha
• Zazen
• Christian contemplation
• Hesychasm
• Muraqaba