Seven qualities that lead to wielding mastery over the mind.

AN 7.40  Paṭhama vasa sutta - Mastery (First)

“Sattahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu cittaṁ vase vatteti, no ca bhikkhu cittassa vasena vattati. Katamehi sattahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu samādhikusalo hoti, samādhissa samāpattikusalo hoti, samādhissa ṭhitikusalo hoti, samādhissa vuṭṭhānakusalo hoti, samādhissa kalyāṇakusalo hoti, samādhissa gocarakusalo hoti, samādhissa abhinīhārakusalo hoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, sattahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu cittaṁ vase vatteti, no ca bhikkhu cittassa vasena vattatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu endowed with seven qualities wields mastery over the mind, and does not let the mind wield mastery over him. What seven? 1.) Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is skilled in |collectedness::stability of mind, stillness of mind, mental composure [samādhi]|, 2.) skilled in the attainment of collectedness, 3.) skilled in the stability of collectedness, 4.) skilled in emerging from collectedness, 5.) skilled in the goodness of collectedness, 6.) skilled in the meditation subjects for collectedness, and 7.) skilled in the application of collectedness. Endowed with these seven qualities, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu wields mastery over the mind, and does not let the mind wield mastery over him.”

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Jhana

Jhana

A mental quality of composure where awareness is gathered, steady, rather than scattered or tense. In such collectedness, supported by mindfulness and right view, experience is clearly known and can be wisely contemplated, unlike narrow or disconnected concentration that shuts out the senses and feeds delusion.

Also known as: absorption, concentration, collectedness, mental composure, stability of mind, undistracted awareness
Pāli: jhāna, samādhi, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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Last updated on December 13, 2025