Samatha (Sanskrit, शमथ; Pāli: Samatha, शमथ), meaning “calm” or “tranquility,” refers to a form of Buddhist meditation practice that aims to develop deep concentration and mental stillness. It is one of the two main types of meditation in Buddhist tradition, the other being विपस्सना Vipassanā (insight meditation). While vipassanā focuses on cultivating insight into the nature of reality and impermanence, samatha is primarily concerned with calming the mind and achieving a state of focused serenity.
The practice of samatha typically involves focusing on a single object of meditation, such as the breath, a visual object, or a mantra, with the goal of eliminating distractions and achieving one-pointed concentration (ekaggatā). As the practitioner becomes more skilled, they progress through increasingly refined states of concentration known as the ඣාන Jhānas (Pāli) or ध्यानानि Dhyānas (Sanskrit), which are states of deep meditative absorption marked by joy, tranquility, and equanimity.
Samatha meditation is often seen as a foundational practice in Buddhist training, providing the mental clarity and stability needed to engage effectively in vipassanā. In the Theravāda tradition, samatha is practiced to develop mental concentration (समाधि Samādhi), which can then be used as a basis for deeper insight into the true nature of existence.
In Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna traditions, samatha remains a crucial part of the path, though it is often practiced in conjunction with other meditative techniques, including vipassanā or tantric visualizations.
Although samatha meditation leads to temporary states of peace, it is traditionally not considered sufficient by itself for the attainment of enlightenment. For full liberation, the calm of samatha must be combined with the penetrating wisdom of vipassanā, leading to direct insight into the impermanence, suffering, and non-self nature of all phenomena.