Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)

by Ashin Janakabhivamsa | 66,666 words

English translation of "Abhidhamma in Daily Life" by Professor Ko Lay. Revised by Sayadaw U Silananda, International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University, Yangon, 1999...

Factor 5 - Ekaggata (one pointed-ness, or concentration of mind or on one subject)

One pointed-ness of mind is classified as ekaggata. It is also called samádhi (concentration). So with the help of ekaggata, the mind can take any object for a long time repetitively. Just as the flame of a candle lit in still air remains steady and un-flickering so also it is ekaggata that makes the mind calmly concentrate on an object for a long time steadily.

In kamatthana meditations, when the mind can be fixed on one object constantly for along time it is known as “the attainment of samádhi” - the arising of a good concentration. When someone achieves some degree of samádhi he attains calmness, and steadiness in thought, word and deed. He become upright, free of erratic behavior, in social dealings also. However, ekaggata can be to engrossed in, obsessed with one particular arammana (sense object) only.

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