Four Cultivations of Concentration

This concept comes from the Discourses {Pali Suttas} themselves; not the commentaries. I have only seen this in a few translations; with little or no explanation. As such, I do not know the Pali originals for all of the key terms used; I can only make partially educated guesses. Translations include 'Four developments of Samadhi' and 'Four Developments of Concentration.' I am guessing that 'developments' is rendering of a form of the action noun bhavana. If so, I much prefer 'cultivations' as a translation; as it implies deliberate, nurturing actions and generally positive results. I think development is too broad in nuance; it can even indicate the arising of a random and unpleasant event. We can develop cancer; while good health is cultivated.

The first cultivation described by the Buddha leads to "a blissful abiding in the here and now." The Buddhist term for this is Diṭṭha-dhamma-sukha-vihara / drishta-dharma-sukha-viharata 現法樂住 {xianfa lezhu / genpo rakuji}. The method of cultivation for this is the Fine Material or Form Absorption; Rupajhana / rupa-dhyana; the first 4 levels of Calm Abiding Meditation; Samatha / Shamatha 止, also known as Proper Concentration-Absorption; Samma / samyak samadhi-jhana / dhyana 正定.

The second leads to the attainment of knowledge & vision; Yathabhuta-nana-dassana / yathabhuta-jnana-darshana 如實知見 {rushi zhijian / jojitsu chiken}. The Buddha then goes on to describe a meditative practice in which concentrates on the 'perception of light;' and seems to indicate that an adept at this demonstrates a radiance that transcends night and day. I am guessing, from the context, he was talking about the higher, deeper, or more abstract levels of the Calm Abiding Meditations, the Immaterial or Formless Absorptions; Arupa-jhana / dhyana, also known as the Samappatis 三摩拔提 {sanmobati / sanmabadai} or 受 {shou / ju}.

The third leads to Mindfulness with complete discerning awareness; Sati-sampajanna / smṛti-saṃprajanya. The method that leads to this is the Four Frameworks of Mindfulness; Cattaro satipaṭṭhana /catur smrti-upasthana 四念 shi nanchu, 四念處 {shi nanchu / Shi nansho}, or 四念住 {sinanzhu / shi-nenju}.

The fourth leads to a Destruction of Inflows & Outflows; Asava-khaya / Ashrava-kshaya ot asrava-kshya 漏盡. As for method, the Buddha appears to have described a form of Insight Meditation; Vipassana / vipashyana 毘缽舍那 {pi-bo-she-na / bi-pa-sha-na}, or 觀 {guan / kan}: in which one observes the rising and falling of each of the Five [Clinging] Aggregates/ Pancha khanda / Skandha 五陰 {wu yin /go on}.

The first two cultivations seem to fall into the category of what I am calling Absorption Concentration; a highly focused, one pointed, or concentrated meditation in which one looks and becomes engrossed in observing a single tree, rather than the forest. This includes meditations with and without form. The last two cultivations correspond to what I am calling Mindful Concentration. This is a more spacious and supple awareness that is alert, but not distracted; so one is able to see both the forest and each individual tree.

To Review; The Four Cultivations of Samadhi:

Method of Cultivation: The Four Fine Material Absorptions; cattaro rupa-jhana / catur rupa-dhyana; 四種禪 {sì chandìng / shi zenjo} or 四種靜慮 {}. Attainment: Blissful Abiding in the Here and Now; dittha-dhamma-sukha-vihara / drishta-dharma-sukha-viharata 現法樂住 {xianfa lezhu / genpo rakuji}.

Method of Cultivation: A meditative practice in which one concentrates on the 'perception of light;' the Sutta seems to indicate that an adept at this demonstrates a radiance that transcends night and day [光背 (?)]. Attainment: Knowledge & Vision of Reality As-it-is; Yathabhuta-nana-dassana / yathabhuta-jnana-darshana 如實知見 {rushi zhijian / jojitsu chiken}.

Method of Cultivation: The Four Frameworks of Mindfulness; cattaro satipaṭṭhana / catur smrti-upasthana 四念処 {si nanchu / shi-nenjo}, {si nanchu / shi nensho}, or 四念住 {si nanzhu / shi-nenju}. Attainment: Mindfulness with Complete Discerning Alertness; Sati-sampajanna / smrti-samprajanya 正念慧 {zheng nianhul / sho nen'e}.

Method of Cultivation: Observation of the rising and falling of each of one's Five [Clinging] Aggregates; pancha khanda / skandha 五陰 {wu yin /go on}. [(?) Vipassana / vipashyana 毘缽舍那 {pi-bo-she-na / bi-pa-sha-na}, or 觀 {guan / kan} (?)]. Attainment: Destruction of Inflows & Outflows; Asava-khaya / Ashrava-kshaya 漏盡.

As always, the views expressed here are only my own takes; to which I consciously cultivate non-attachment. I am especially tentative and open to correction in this entry. I suspect that this one shall be updated more than once.