An analysis of the four bases of psychic powers that are endowed with collectedness arising from aspiration, determination, purification of mind, and investigation.

SN 51.13  Chandasamādhi sutta - Collectedness Arising From Aspiration

“Chandañce, bhikkhave, bhikkhu nissāya labhati samādhiṁ, labhati cittassa ekaggataṁayaṁ vuccati chandasamādhi. So anuppannānaṁ pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ anuppādāya chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati. Uppannānaṁ pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati. Anuppannānaṁ kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ uppādāya chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati. Uppannānaṁ kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ ṭhitiyā asammosāya bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya bhāvanāya pāripūriyā chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati. Ime vuccanti ‘padhānasaṅkhārā’ti. Iti ayañca chando, ayañca chandasamādhi, ime ca padhānasaṅkhārāayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, chandasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgato iddhipādo.

“Bhikkhus, if a bhikkhu, relying on |aspiration::a goal, an interest, an objective, i.e. a wholesome motivation [chanda]|, attains |collectedness::stability of mind, stillness of mind, mental composure [samādhi]|, attains |unification [of mind]::one-pointedness, concentration, oneness [ekaggatā]|—this is called ‘collectedness arising from aspiration.’ He generates aspiration, makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives for the non-arising of unwholesome and unskillful states that have not yet arisen. He generates aspiration, makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives for the abandonment of unwholesome and unskillful states that have arisen. He generates aspiration, makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives for the arising of wholesome and skillful states that have not yet arisen. He generates aspiration, makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives for the maintenance, non-confusion, increase, development, and fulfillment of wholesome and skillful states that have arisen. These are called ‘|intentional constructs of striving::intentional effort [padhānasaṅkhāra]|.’ Thus, this aspiration, this collectedness arising from aspiration, and accompanied by intentional effort — this is called, bhikkhus, the basis of psychic power that is endowed with collectedness arising from aspiration and intentional effort.

Vīriyañce, bhikkhave, bhikkhu nissāya labhati samādhiṁ, labhati cittassa ekaggataṁayaṁ vuccati ‘vīriyasamādhi’. So anuppannānaṁ pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ anuppādāya chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati. Uppannānaṁ pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati. Anuppannānaṁ kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ uppādāya chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati. Uppannānaṁ kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ ṭhitiyā asammosāya bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya bhāvanāya pāripūriyā chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati. Ime vuccanti ‘padhānasaṅkhārā’ti. Iti idañca vīriyaṁ, ayañca vīriyasamādhi, ime ca padhānasaṅkhārāayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, vīriyasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgato iddhipādo.

Similarly, bhikkhus, if a bhikkhu, relying on |determination::will power, energy [vīriya]|, attains collectedness, attains unification of mind—this is called ‘collectedness arising from determination.’ He generates aspiration, makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives for the non-arising of unwholesome and unskillful states that have not yet arisen. He generates aspiration, makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives for the abandonment of unwholesome and unskillful states that have arisen. He generates aspiration, makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives for the arising of wholesome and skillful states that have not yet arisen. He generates aspiration, makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives for the maintenance, non-confusion, increase, development, and fulfillment of wholesome and skillful states that have arisen. These are called ‘intentional constructs of striving.’ Thus, this determination, this collectedness arising from determination, and accompanied by intentional effort—this is called, bhikkhus, the basis of psychic power that is endowed with collectedness arising from determination and intentional effort.

Cittañce, bhikkhave, bhikkhu nissāya labhati samādhiṁ, labhati cittassa ekaggataṁayaṁ vuccati ‘cittasamādhi’. So anuppannānaṁ pāpakānaṁ …pe… uppannānaṁ kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ ṭhitiyā asammosāya bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya bhāvanāya pāripūriyā chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati. Ime vuccanti ‘padhānasaṅkhārā’ti. Iti idañca cittaṁ, ayañca cittasamādhi, ime ca padhānasaṅkhārāayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, cittasamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgato iddhipādo.

“Similarly, bhikkhus, if a bhikkhu, relying on |[purification of] mind::purification of heart [citta]|, attains collectedness, attains unification of mind—this is called ‘collectedness arising from mind.’ He generates aspiration, makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives for the non-arising of unwholesome and unskillful states that have not yet arisen. He generates aspiration, makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives for the abandonment of unwholesome and unskillful states that have arisen. He generates aspiration, makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives for the arising of wholesome and skillful states that have not yet arisen. He generates aspiration, makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives for the maintenance, non-confusion, increase, development, and fulfillment of wholesome and skillful states that have arisen. These are called ‘intentional constructs of striving.’ Thus, this mind, this collectedness arising from mind, and accompanied by intentional effort—this is called, bhikkhus, the basis of psychic power that is endowed with collectedness arising from mind and intentional effort.

Vīmaṁsañce, bhikkhave, bhikkhu nissāya labhati samādhiṁ, labhati cittassa ekaggataṁayaṁ vuccati ‘vīmaṁsāsamādhi’. So anuppannānaṁ pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ anuppādāya chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati …pe… uppannānaṁ kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ ṭhitiyā asammosāya bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya bhāvanāya pāripūriyā chandaṁ janeti vāyamati vīriyaṁ ārabhati cittaṁ paggaṇhāti padahati. Ime vuccanti ‘padhānasaṅkhārā’ti. Iti ayañca vīmaṁsā, ayañca vīmaṁsāsamādhi, ime ca padhānasaṅkhārāayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, vīmaṁsāsamādhippadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgato iddhipādo”ti.

Similarly, bhikkhus, if a bhikkhu, relying on |investigation::consideration, reflection, and examination [vīmaṃsā]|, attains collectedness, attains unification of mind—this is called ‘collectedness arising from investigation.’ He generates aspiration, makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives for the non-arising of unwholesome and unskillful states that have not yet arisen. He generates aspiration, makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives for the abandonment of unwholesome and unskillful states that have arisen. He generates aspiration, makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives for the arising of wholesome and skillful states that have not yet arisen. He generates aspiration, makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives for the maintenance, non-confusion, increase, development, and fulfillment of wholesome and skillful states that have arisen. These are called ‘intentional constructs of striving.’ Thus, this investigation, this collectedness arising from investigation, and accompanied by intentional effort—this is called, bhikkhus, the basis of psychic power that is endowed with collectedness arising from investigation and intentional effort.”

Topics & Qualities:

Desire

Desire

A wholesome motivation, interest, or objective that acts as the starting point for effort and application of will.

Also known as: aspiration, interest, wish, having an objective, intention, impulse
Pāli: chanda
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Collectedness

Collectedness

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.

Also known as: mental composure, stability of mind, stillness of mind, concentration, undistracted awareness
Pāli: jhāna, samādhi, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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Examination

Examination

Process of a careful inquiry of mental states, qualities, and phenomena, examining their arising, persisting, and ceasing in order to understand their true nature and support the cultivation of wisdom and awakening.

Also known as: analysis, deliberation, discursive contemplation, investigation, probing, reflection, reviewing, scrutinization, lit. picking
Pāli: vicaya, parikkhati, dhammavicaya, anupekkhita
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Unification

Unification

Also known as: unification of mind, being collected, integration, oneness, singleness of mind
Pāli: ekagga, ekodibhāva
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Vigour

Vigour

Energetic effort and resilience in practice. It is the refusal to shrink back, the 'uphill' force that initiates and sustains wholesome actions against the gravity of habit.

Also known as: energy, effort, enthusiasm, zeal, application of will, persistence
Pāli: vīriya
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Last updated on November 29, 2025