A concentrated monk discerns things as they actually are?
5
votes
7
answers
431
views
**Samadhi Sutta**
(Concentration)
[Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.]
**“Develop concentration, monks. A concentrated monk discerns things as they actually are present...**
Is this an accurate translation of this part of the sutta? Isn't seeing things as they are mindfulness territory or mindfulness and concentration territory?
My understanding is that a strongly concentrated monk usually focuses on concepts not actual reality. When one concentrates on reality as it is(reality without concepts) then it's difficult to get strong concentration but when one concentrates on a concept that doesn't move around and is more stable than actual impermanent reality then the concentrated monk can reach those great blissful jhana states.
**Only meditation of reality will lead one to the understanding of reality or panna.**
I don't know but it kinda sounds like this translation is implying that concentration always shows one reality as it actually is but usually, concentration meditation involves one pointed attention on one concept not reality as it is.
The kind of concentration that is usually used for "seeing things as they are" is khanika samadhi or momentary concentration. This kind of concentration is used in Satipathana Vipassana meditation. It's like one pointed concentration only when a distraction comes, the distraction becomes the new focus until the distraction falls then it's back to the original focus that is often the sensation breath as it happens, moment by moment.
Asked by Lowbrow
(7349 rep)
Feb 7, 2018, 12:49 AM
Last activity: Mar 3, 2018, 05:15 PM
Last activity: Mar 3, 2018, 05:15 PM