Ideas across traditions · meditation · Buddhist
śamatha
Works in 4 traditions beyond Buddhist attest this concept, on 171 cited pages. Translators have rendered it as “shamatha”, “zhine”, “zhi gnas”, “zhi-gnas” and 2 other ways; a link through a rendering is marked as such, because another translator chose differently.
Also under: samatha · “shamatha” · “zhine” · “zhi gnas” · “zhi-gnas” · “ཞི་གནས་” · “shi-ne”
30works in other traditions, with a cited page
17works in Buddhist, its home tradition on the maps
6further works where only a vocabulary list or keyword names it; not shown
2judged analogues in other traditions (a different word for a neighbouring idea)
Analogues, judged
A different word, in another tradition, that a reviewer judged to name a neighbouring idea. These are not attestations of śamatha; each carries the reviewer’s confidence and reason.
In other traditions
Ordered by the earliest work in each tradition that attests the concept. Within a tradition, works run from earliest to latest by conventional composition date.
Korean & Vietnamese
- 686 CEWonhyo, collected workssame word
- 1200Chinul — Susimgyŏl & Excerpts from the Dharma Collectionsame word
- 1200Chinul, Susimgyŏl and collected workssame word
- 1377Jikji (Anthology of the Buddhas and Patriarchs' Direct Pointing to the Essence of Mind)a translator’s rendering
Chinese
- 705 CEŚūraṅgama Sūtrasame word and a translator’s rendering
- samatha — calm-abiding meditationry. | △ 2. The Feeling Aggregate, 3. First showing the aggregate's nature. | | | Ananda, that good person who cultivatesShurangama Sutra with Essential Commentary, 1594, p. 374 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Samatha — tranquilityBuddhas of the ten directions to teach how to attain Bodhi enlightenment and the first expedient means for the wonderful대불정수릉엄경 (Surangama Sutra, 1456 Korean woodblock), 1456, p. 39 · flagged as a term by the translator
Tibetan
- 1050Nāropa, Six Yogas (tummo, illusory body, dream, clear light, bardo, phowa)a translator’s rendering
- 1100Tibetan dream yoga (Six Yogas of Nāropa; rmi lam) and the Bardo Thödol's dream bardoa translator’s rendering
- shamatha — calm abidingminary stages, one should cultivate the core of devotion and contemplate other matters. Second, for the main practice ofZab chos zhi khro dgongs pa rang grol lo rgyus sogs, 1700, p. 95 · flagged as a term by the translator
- shamatha — calm abidinge liberated into existence. Up to the benefit of the gods, the firmament of the deity is six. Relying on that, it is thezab chos zhi khro dgongs pa rang grol las/ bar do'i dmar khrid dgongs pa rang grol gyi sngon 'gro rang rgyud 'dul byed k, 1700, p. 21 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Shamatha — calm abidinght by them through hearing and contemplation, and then enter the stages of meditation. Meditation consists of two parts:Thor bu Zhi khro dgongs pa rang grol skor, 1700, p. 193 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1100Sharawa, Lamrim (Stages of the Path)a translator’s rendering
- 1100Kadam lamrim & Bka' gdams bu chos (Atiśa lineage)a translator’s rendering
- 1100Machig Labdrön, Gcoda translator’s rendering
- 1230Sakya Paṇḍita, Mkhas pa 'jug pa'i sgo (and Tshad ma rigs gter)a translator’s rendering
- 1250Sakya Paṇḍita, Mkhas 'jug (Gateway for the Learned)a translator’s rendering
- 1310Mkha' 'gro snying thig (Dākinī Heart-Essence instruction cycle)a translator’s rendering
- shamatha — tranquility meditationthe many differences in how the nature of all phenomena cannot be observed, the specifics of meditating on calm abidingmKha' 'gro snying thig gi btags grol, 1700, p. 12 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Shamatha — Calm Abidingom. The perfection of meditation Dhyana is the one-pointed placement of the mind in equanimity by relying on the path ofThor bu Zab chos mkha' snying thig gi chos sde, 1700, p. 54 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1320Rangjung Dorje (Karmapa III), rNam shes ye shes 'byed pa and Zab mo nang dona translator’s rendering
- shamatha — calm abidingsequential birth arises from the essence taught herein. From this, one should understand the limitless supports such asNges don phyag rgya chen po’i smon lam gyi ’grel ba bdud rtsi’i snying khu, 1700, p. 17 · flagged as a term by the translator
- zhi gnas — calm abidingextremely profound practice—the meditation that realizes Mahamudra. Because it is difficult to attain the cause withoutphyag chen smon lam, 1700, p. 6 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1350Karma Lingpa, Bar do thos grol (Zhi khro dgongs pa rang grol)a translator’s rendering
- shamatha — calm abidingng remained in ethics, one must abide by the training in meditation. This means striving in the yoga of tranquil abidingBar do smon lam ngo sprod, 1700, p. 147 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Shamatha — calm abidingthe teaching on the introduction to awareness. Following this, the sequence of meditation is as follows. The essence ofkarma gling pa'i gter byon br do'i thos grol dang/ chos spyod bag chags rang grol, 1700, p. 61 · flagged as a term by the translator
- shamatha — calm abidinge liberated into existence. Up to the benefit of the gods, the firmament of the deity is six. Relying on that, it is thezab chos zhi khro dgongs pa rang grol las/ bar do'i dmar khrid dgongs pa rang grol gyi sngon 'gro rang rgyud 'dul byed k, 1700, p. 21 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1350Longchenpa, Ngal gso skor gsum, Man ngag mdzod & Snying thig ya bzhia translator’s rendering
- shamatha — calm abidingNot abiding is being distracted outside the nature of the mind. Thus, abiding in the nature of the mind is the nature ofKlong chen man nag mdzod dang tshig don mdzod, 1700, p. 15 · flagged as a term by the translator
- shamatha — calm abidingeighteen experiences are also of three kinds. The fourth is called the sixth experience, near and... Six equanimities ofRdzogs pa chen po ngal gso skor gsum gyi dkar chag padma stong ldan, 1700, p. 21 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1350Longchenpa, mDzod bdun (Seven Treasuries)a translator’s rendering
- 1350Longchenpa, Ngal gso skor gsum (Trilogy of Rest)a translator’s rendering
- 1400Dzogchen khrid yig (direct-introduction and guidance manuals; Sems sde, Kun byed rgyal po)a translator’s rendering
- shamatha — calm abidingMay all sentient beings have happiness. May they be free from suffering. Then, the main practice of the path is twofold:Don khrid lam gyi sgron me, 1700, p. 85 · flagged as a term by the translator
- shamatha — calm abidingwere previously intense, they become thinner and clearer. Meditate according to the three placements. Based on that, thekhrid yig kun gzhi rang grol sogs chos tshan kha 'thor sna tsogs, 1700, p. 6 · flagged as a term by the translator
- shamatha — calm abidingLeft 27 Therdzogs chen khrid lam bzang ye shes snying po, 1700, p. 21 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1402Tsongkhapa, Lam rim chen mo / chung ngu (śamatha–vipaśyanā chapters)same word and a translator’s rendering
- Shamatha — calm abidingn gaining confidence in the laws of karma, then meditating on Bodhicitta , then learning the conduct, then meditating onLamrim: Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, 1100, p. 28 · flagged as a term by the translator
- śamathaon meditation (tranquillity and insight) continues. # Introduction with the two corresponding factors of tranquillity (Lamrim Chenmo (Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path), Vol. 1, 2000, p. 18 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1402Tsongkhapa's Lamrim (Lam rim chen mo / chung ngu)same word and a translator’s rendering
- 1402Tsongkhapa, Lam rim chen mo & chung ngusame word and a translator’s rendering
- 1550Mahāmudrā manuals (Wangchuk Dorje, Pema Karpo, Tashi Namgyal, Khamtrul)same word and a translator’s rendering
- samatha — calm abidingsence of one's own mind. --- **Bottom Section** The second is the sequence of meditation, which consists of two: abidingThadrak Thor bu 026 Phyag chen khrid yig sogs, 1700, p. 122 · flagged as a term by the translator
- shamatha — calm abidingted in this. By practicing in this way, one makes it the path, and one should establish oneself through those methods ofIntroduction to the Preliminary Practice of Mahamudra (Innate Union), 1710, p. 78 · flagged as a term by the translator
- shamatha — calm abidingus. Regarding the way to settle the meaning of these meditations, in general, there are three: meditation on tranquilityPhyag chen stong thun rin po che'i gter mdzod, 1700, p. 90 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1600Zhal gdams / man ngag — retreat and heart-advice manualsa translator’s rendering
- 1700Mahāmudrā instruction manuals (Bhutanese and Drukpa Kagyü)same word and a translator’s rendering
- samatha — calm abidingsence of one's own mind. --- **Bottom Section** The second is the sequence of meditation, which consists of two: abidingThadrak Thor bu 026 Phyag chen khrid yig sogs, 1700, p. 122 · flagged as a term by the translator
- shamatha — calm abidingted in this. By practicing in this way, one makes it the path, and one should establish oneself through those methods ofIntroduction to the Preliminary Practice of Mahamudra (Innate Union), 1710, p. 78 · flagged as a term by the translator
- shamatha — calm abidingus. Regarding the way to settle the meaning of these meditations, in general, there are three: meditation on tranquilityPhyag chen stong thun rin po che'i gter mdzod, 1700, p. 90 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1700Dzogchen instruction literature (Semde khrid yig, kun gzhi rang grol, thod rgal)a translator’s rendering
- 1700Grub mtha' (Tibetan doxographies of the four tenet systems)a translator’s rendering
- 1765Jigme Lingpa, Klong chen snying thig (with Patrul's Kun bzang bla ma'i zhal lung)a translator’s rendering
Japanese
- 1906Sermons of a Buddhist Abbot (Soyen Shaku)a translator’s rendering
- 1906Soyen Shaku — Sermons of a Buddhist Abbota translator’s rendering
At home in Buddhist
- 400 BCEDīgha Nikāyasame word
- 50 BCEPrajñāpāramitā (Aṣṭasāhasrikā; Heart and Diamond Sūtras)same word and a translator’s rendering
- śamatha — calm abiding|| 64 || By force of elimination, humanity, by force of elimination, they say all things. They speak of tranquilityAṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā (8,000-line Perfection of Wisdom), 900, p. 125 · flagged as a term by the translator
- shamatha — calm abidinglaining the Thought* original: "Dgongs pa nges par 'grel ba'i mdo" : Regarding the Noble Ones: "The objects of focus forHeart Sutra Commentary: Illuminating the Essence, 1500, p. 99 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 150 CENāgārjuna, Suhṛllekha (Letter to a Friend)same word and a translator’s rendering
- 350 CEMaitreya/Asaṅga, Mahāyānasūtrālaṃkāraa translator’s rendering
- 380 CEVasubandhu, Abhidharmakośa with Bhāṣyasame word
- 400 CEVasubandhu, Abhidharmakośa (chs. 6 & 8: path and attainments)same word
- 430 CEVisuddhimagga (Path of Purification)same word
- samatha — tranquility meditationected for him by the power of his past kamma volitional action . The yogi should establish himself in virtue and developVisuddhimagga (วิสุทธิมรรค, Path of Purification) in Thai, 500, p. 56 · flagged as a term by the translator
- samathaty and depth of focus and in single-mindedness. While Buddhism makes no exclusive claim to teach *jhāna* concentration (Visuddhimagga (The Path of Purification), 2010, p. 50 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 430 CEBuddhaghosa, Visuddhimaggasame word
- samatha — tranquility meditationected for him by the power of his past kamma volitional action . The yogi should establish himself in virtue and developVisuddhimagga (วิสุทธิมรรค, Path of Purification) in Thai, 500, p. 56 · flagged as a term by the translator
- samathaty and depth of focus and in single-mindedness. While Buddhism makes no exclusive claim to teach *jhāna* concentration (Visuddhimagga (The Path of Purification), 2010, p. 50 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 620 CECandrakīrti, Madhyamakāvatāraa translator’s rendering
- 700 CEŚāntideva, Bodhicaryāvatāraa translator’s rendering
- 705 CEŚūraṅgama Sūtrasame word and a translator’s rendering
- samatha — calm-abiding meditationry. | △ 2. The Feeling Aggregate, 3. First showing the aggregate's nature. | | | Ananda, that good person who cultivatesShurangama Sutra with Essential Commentary, 1594, p. 374 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Samatha — tranquilityBuddhas of the ten directions to teach how to attain Bodhi enlightenment and the first expedient means for the wonderful대불정수릉엄경 (Surangama Sutra, 1456 Korean woodblock), 1456, p. 39 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 705 CEŚūraṅgama Sūtra (大佛頂首楞嚴經)same word and a translator’s rendering
- samatha — calm-abiding meditationry. | △ 2. The Feeling Aggregate, 3. First showing the aggregate's nature. | | | Ananda, that good person who cultivatesShurangama Sutra with Essential Commentary, 1594, p. 374 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Samatha — tranquilityBuddhas of the ten directions to teach how to attain Bodhi enlightenment and the first expedient means for the wonderful대불정수릉엄경 (Surangama Sutra, 1456 Korean woodblock), 1456, p. 39 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 705 CEŚūraṅgama Sūtra on dream and delusionsame word and a translator’s rendering
- samatha — calm-abiding meditationry. | △ 2. The Feeling Aggregate, 3. First showing the aggregate's nature. | | | Ananda, that good person who cultivatesShurangama Sutra with Essential Commentary, 1594, p. 374 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Samatha — tranquilityBuddhas of the ten directions to teach how to attain Bodhi enlightenment and the first expedient means for the wonderful대불정수릉엄경 (Surangama Sutra, 1456 Korean woodblock), 1456, p. 39 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 800 CECakrasaṃvara sādhana (Ghaṇṭapāda five stages; Vajrayoginī / Vajravārāhī)a translator’s rendering
- 900 CESaraha, Dohākoṣaa translator’s rendering
- shamatha — calm abidingAbiding in one place inrgyal po do ha'i ti ka 'bring po sems kyi rnam thar ston pa'i me long, 1700, p. 12 · flagged as a term by the translator
- shamatha — calm abidingAll-Knowing One, focusing on the spontaneous equality of all things. It explains how to rest in the state of tranquilitydo ha’i don bdus, 1700, p. 4 · flagged as a term by the translator
- zhi gnas — calm abidingodhicitta the mind of enlightenment . Then, one should train in the bodhisattva conduct. Finally, one should meditate onDo ha'i bshad lugs sogs, 1700, p. 201 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 900 CESaraha, Dohākośa (Royal Song)a translator’s rendering
- 1000Phyag chen rgya gzhung (Indian Mahāmudrā corpus: Tilopa, Nāropa, Maitrīpa)same word and a translator’s rendering
Evidence gate. A work is listed only where a translator marked the word as a term with a gloss, or kept the original word beside the English, on at least one page of a held edition. Vocabulary lists and keywords alone do not count: in a Greek vocabulary list ἡσυχία is the ordinary word for quiet. Up to 3 pages are shown per work, preferring those with a gloss. The vocabulary was built 2026-09-11; the graph on 2026-09-13.