San mei, Sān mèi: 6 definitions

Introduction:

San mei means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Buddhism

Chinese Buddhism

三昧 [san mei]—Samādhi, "putting together, composing the mind, intent contemplation, perfect absorption, union of the meditator with the object of meditation." (M. W.) Also 三摩地 [san mo de] (三摩提 [san mo ti], 三摩帝 [san mo di], 三摩底 [san mo di]). Interpreted by 定 [ding] or 正定 [zheng ding], the mind fixed and undisturbed; by 正受 [zheng shou] correct sensation of the object contemplated; by 調直定 [diao zhi ding] ordering and fixing the mind; by 正心行處 [zheng xin xing chu] the condition when the motions of the mind are steadied and harmonized with the object; by 息慮凝心 [xi lu ning xin] the cessation of distraction and the fixation of the mind; by 等持 [deng chi] the mind held in equilibrium; by 奢摩他 [she mo ta], i.e. 止息 [zhi xi] to stay the breathing. It is described as concentration of the mind (upon an object). The aim is 解脫 [jie tuo], mukti, deliverance from all the trammels of life, the bondage of the passions and reincarnations. It may pass from abstraction to ecstasy, or rapture, or trance. Dhyāna 定 [ding] represents a simpler form of contemplation; samāpatti 三摩鉢底 [san mo bo di] a stage further advanced; and samādhi the highest stage of the Buddhist equivalent for Yoga, though Yoga is considered by some as a Buddhist development differing from samādhi. The 翻譯名義 [fan yi ming yi] says: 思專 [si zhuan] when the mind has been concentrated, then 志一不分 [zhi yi bu fen] the will is undivided; when 想寂 [xiang ji] active thought has been put to rest, then 氣虛神 [qi xu shen]朗 the material becomes etherealized and the spirit liberated, on which 智 [zhi] knowledge, or the power to know, has free course, and there is no mystery into which it cannot probe. Cf. 智度論 [zhi du lun] 5, 20, 23, 28; 止觀 [zhi guan] 2; 大乘義章 [da cheng yi zhang] 2, 9, 1 3, 20, etc. There are numerous kinds and degrees of samādhi.

Source: archive.org: A Dictionary Of Chinese Buddhist Terms

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

三昧 [san mei]—(Sānmèi) — [Term] The Sanskrit word samādhi, formerly known as Sanmei, Sanmoti (三摩提 [san mo ti]), or Sanmodi (三摩帝 [san mo di]).

It is translated as "concentration" (定 [ding], dìng), "right reception" (正受 [zheng shou], zhèngshòu), "harmonizing, straightening, and stabilizing" (調直定 [diao zhi ding], diàozhídìng), "place where the mind acts rightly" (正心行處 [zheng xin xing chu], zhèngxīnxíngchù), or "stopping thoughts and concentrating the mind" (息慮凝心 [xi lu ning xin], xīlǜníngxīn).

When the mind is fixed on one point and does not move, it is called "concentration" (定 [ding]). It is called "reception" (受 [shou]) because it rightly receives the object of contemplation. It is called "harmonizing, straightening, and stabilizing" (調直定 [diao zhi ding]) because it harmonizes the mind's impetuosity, straightens its crookedness, and stabilizes its scatteredness. It is called "place where the mind acts rightly" (正心行處 [zheng xin xing chu]) because it causes the mind's actions to accord with the Dharma's abode. It is called "stopping thoughts and concentrating the mind" (息慮凝心 [xi lu ning xin]) because it stops external considerations and congeals mental thoughts.

Zhidu Lun (智度論 [zhi du lun]) Vol. 5 states: "When a good mind dwells unmoving in one place, this is called Sanmei." Vol. 28 of the same work states: "All chan (meditation) and ding (concentration) are also called ding (定 [ding]) and also called Sanmei." Vol. 20 of the same work states: "The harmony of all practices is called Sanmei." Vol. 23 of the same work states: "All chan (meditation) and ding (concentration) that gather the mind are called Sanmoti (三摩提 [san mo ti]), which in Qin (秦 [qin]) language means 'place where the mind acts rightly' (正心行處 [zheng xin xing chu]). This mind, which has always been crooked and unstraight since the beginningless world, becomes straight and upright when it attains this 'place where the mind acts rightly,' just as a snake, which always moves crookedly, becomes straight when it enters a bamboo tube."

Zhiguang (止觀 [zhi guan]) Vol. 2 states: "That which is generally called Sanmei is 'harmonizing, straightening, and stabilizing' (調直定 [diao zhi ding])." The Great Treatise (大論 [da lun]) says: "When a good mind dwells unmoving in one place, this is called Sanmei."

Dasheng Yizhang (大乘義章 [da cheng yi zhang]) Vol. 13 states: "Concentration (定 [ding]) is named after its essence: the mind dwells on one object, free from distraction and agitation, hence it is called ding (定 [ding]). The word Sanmei is a foreign word, which here means 'right concentration' (正定 [zheng ding])." Vol. 2 of the same work states: "When the mind accords with the Dharma and is free from evil and disorder, it is called Sanmei." Vol. 9 of the same work states: "When the mind's essence is tranquil and free from evil and disorder, it is called Sanmei." Vol. 20 of the same work states: "From the perspective of practice, ding (定 [ding]) means stopping disturbance and dwelling on an object, hence it is called ding. From the perspective of reality, the true mind's essence is tranquil, and its nature is unmoving, hence it is called ding."

It is newly called Sanmodi (三摩地 [san mo de]), translated as "concentration" (定 [ding]) or "right reception" (正受 [zheng shou]), "equal holding" (等持 [deng chi], děngchí), and "equal mindfulness" (等念 [deng nian], děngniàn). It is also called "abiding in present Dharma bliss" (現法樂住 [xian fa le zhu], xiànfǎlèzhù). "Concentration" (定 [ding]) and "right reception" (正受 [zheng shou]) have the same meaning as before. It is called "equal holding" (等持 [deng chi]) because it equally holds the mind. It is called "equal mindfulness" (等念 [deng nian]) because all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, upon entering the realm of sentient beings, equally protect and are mindful of them. This is an explanation based on the act of benefiting others. Furthermore, it manifests the bliss of Dharma within concentration, hence it is called "abiding in present Dharma bliss" (現法樂住 [xian fa le zhu]). It is another name for "right reception" (正受 [zheng shou]).

Weishi Lun (唯識論 [wei shi lun]) Vol. 5 states: "Its essence is to make the mind concentrated and undistracted on the object of contemplation; its function is to be the basis of wisdom."

Tanxuan Ji (探玄記 [tan xuan ji]) Vol. 3 states: "Sanmei here means 'equal holding' (等持 [deng chi]). It is called 'equal' because it is free from sinking and floating, meaning concentration and wisdom are balanced. It is called 'holding' because the mind is not scattered and dwells on one object."

Fahua Xuanzan (法華玄贊 [fa hua xuan zan]) Vol. 2 states: "In Sanskrit, it is Sanmodi (三摩地 [san mo de]), which here means 'equal holding' (等持 [deng chi]). To equally hold the mind and reach the object is concentration (定 [ding]). To say Sanmei is a corruption."

Xuanying Yinyi (玄應音義 [xuan ying yin yi]) Vol. 3 states: "Sanmei, or Sanmoti (三摩提 [san mo ti]), or Sanmodi (三摩帝 [san mo di]) are all corruptions. The correct term is Sanmodi (三摩地 [san mo de]), which is translated here as 'equal holding' (等持 [deng chi]). 'Equal' means correct, correctly holding the mind. 'Holding' means holding all merits. It is also called 'right concentration' (正定 [zheng ding]), meaning dwelling on one object and being free from all evil disturbances."

Puti Xin Yi (菩提心義 [pu ti xin yi]) Vol. 1 states: "In Sanskrit, it is Sanmodi (三摩地 [san mo de]), which in Tang (唐 [tang]) language means 'equal mindfulness' (等念 [deng nian]). It refers to entering the realm of sentient beings, equally embracing and being mindful of them."

三昧—【術語】梵音 samādhi,舊稱三昧,三摩提,三摩帝。譯言定,正受,調直定,正心行處,息慮凝心。心定於一處而不動,故曰定。正受所觀之法,故曰受。調心之暴,直心之曲,定心之散,故曰調直定。正心之行動,使合於法之依處,故曰正心行處。息止緣慮,凝結心念,故曰息慮凝心。智度論五曰:「善心一處住不動,是名三昧。」同二十八曰:「一切禪定,亦名定,亦名三昧。」同二十曰:「諸行和合,皆名為三昧。」同二十三曰:「一切禪定攝心,皆名為三摩提,秦言正心行處。是心從無始世界來常曲不端,得此正心行處,心則端直,譬如蛇行常曲,入竹筒中則直。」止觀二曰:「通稱三昧者,調直定也。」大論云:「善心一處住不動,是名三昧。」大乘義章十三曰:「定者當體為名,心住一緣,離於散動,故名為定。言三昧者,是外國語,此名正定。」同二曰:「以心合法,離邪亂,故曰三昧。」同九曰:「心體寂靜,離於邪亂,故曰三昧。」同二十曰:「定者據行便息亂住緣,目之為定。就實而辨真心體寂,自性不動,故名為定。」新稱三摩地,譯為定或正受,等持等念。又曰現法樂住。定與正受。其義同前。平等保持心,故曰等持。諸佛諸菩薩入有情界平等護念彼等,故曰等念。是就利他業而釋之也。又現定中法樂,故曰現法樂住。正受之異名也。唯識論五曰:「於所觀境令心專注不散為性,智依為業。」探玄記三曰:「三昧此云等持,離沈浮,故定慧等,故名等也。心不散,故住一境,故名持也。」法華玄贊二曰:「梵云三摩地,此云等持。平等持心而至於境,即是定也,云三昧者訛也。」玄應音義三曰:「三昧,或言三摩提,或云三摩帝皆訛也。正言三摩地,此譯云等持。等者正也,正持心也,持謂持諸功德也。或云正定,謂住緣一境,離諸邪亂也。」菩提心義一曰:「梵云三摩地,唐云等念。入有情界,平等攝受而護念之者。」

[shù yǔ] fàn yīn samādhi, jiù chēng sān mèi, sān mó tí, sān mó dì. yì yán dìng, zhèng shòu, diào zhí dìng, zhèng xīn xíng chù, xī lǜ níng xīn. xīn dìng yú yī chù ér bù dòng, gù yuē dìng. zhèng shòu suǒ guān zhī fǎ, gù yuē shòu. diào xīn zhī bào, zhí xīn zhī qū, dìng xīn zhī sàn, gù yuē diào zhí dìng. zhèng xīn zhī xíng dòng, shǐ hé yú fǎ zhī yī chù, gù yuē zhèng xīn xíng chù. xī zhǐ yuán lǜ, níng jié xīn niàn, gù yuē xī lǜ níng xīn. zhì dù lùn wǔ yuē: “shàn xīn yī chù zhù bù dòng, shì míng sān mèi.” tóng èr shí bā yuē: “yī qiè chán dìng, yì míng dìng, yì míng sān mèi.” tóng èr shí yuē: “zhū xíng hé hé, jiē míng wèi sān mèi.” tóng èr shí sān yuē: “yī qiè chán dìng shè xīn, jiē míng wèi sān mó tí, qín yán zhèng xīn xíng chù. shì xīn cóng wú shǐ shì jiè lái cháng qū bù duān, dé cǐ zhèng xīn xíng chù, xīn zé duān zhí, pì rú shé xíng cháng qū, rù zhú tǒng zhōng zé zhí.” zhǐ guān èr yuē: “tōng chēng sān mèi zhě, diào zhí dìng yě.” dà lùn yún: “shàn xīn yī chù zhù bù dòng, shì míng sān mèi.” dà chéng yì zhāng shí sān yuē: “dìng zhě dāng tǐ wèi míng, xīn zhù yī yuán, lí yú sàn dòng, gù míng wèi dìng. yán sān mèi zhě, shì wài guó yǔ, cǐ míng zhèng dìng.” tóng èr yuē: “yǐ xīn hé fǎ, lí xié luàn, gù yuē sān mèi.” tóng jiǔ yuē: “xīn tǐ jì jìng, lí yú xié luàn, gù yuē sān mèi.” tóng èr shí yuē: “dìng zhě jù xíng biàn xī luàn zhù yuán, mù zhī wèi dìng. jiù shí ér biàn zhēn xīn tǐ jì, zì xìng bù dòng, gù míng wèi dìng.” xīn chēng sān mó de, yì wèi dìng huò zhèng shòu, děng chí děng niàn. yòu yuē xiàn fǎ lè zhù. dìng yǔ zhèng shòu. qí yì tóng qián. píng děng bǎo chí xīn, gù yuē děng chí. zhū fú zhū pú sà rù yǒu qíng jiè píng děng hù niàn bǐ děng, gù yuē děng niàn. shì jiù lì tā yè ér shì zhī yě. yòu xiàn dìng zhōng fǎ lè, gù yuē xiàn fǎ lè zhù. zhèng shòu zhī yì míng yě. wéi shí lùn wǔ yuē: “yú suǒ guān jìng lìng xīn zhuān zhù bù sàn wèi xìng, zhì yī wèi yè.” tàn xuán jì sān yuē: “sān mèi cǐ yún děng chí, lí chén fú, gù dìng huì děng, gù míng děng yě. xīn bù sàn, gù zhù yī jìng, gù míng chí yě.” fǎ huá xuán zàn èr yuē: “fàn yún sān mó de, cǐ yún děng chí. píng děng chí xīn ér zhì yú jìng, jí shì dìng yě, yún sān mèi zhě é yě.” xuán yīng yīn yì sān yuē: “sān mèi, huò yán sān mó tí, huò yún sān mó dì jiē é yě. zhèng yán sān mó de, cǐ yì yún děng chí. děng zhě zhèng yě, zhèng chí xīn yě, chí wèi chí zhū gōng dé yě. huò yún zhèng dìng, wèi zhù yuán yī jìng, lí zhū xié luàn yě.” pú tí xīn yì yī yuē: “fàn yún sān mó de, táng yún děng niàn. rù yǒu qíng jiè, píng děng shè shòu ér hù niàn zhī zhě.”

[shu yu] fan yin samadhi, jiu cheng san mei, san mo ti, san mo di. yi yan ding, zheng shou, diao zhi ding, zheng xin xing chu, xi lu ning xin. xin ding yu yi chu er bu dong, gu yue ding. zheng shou suo guan zhi fa, gu yue shou. diao xin zhi bao, zhi xin zhi qu, ding xin zhi san, gu yue diao zhi ding. zheng xin zhi xing dong, shi he yu fa zhi yi chu, gu yue zheng xin xing chu. xi zhi yuan lu, ning jie xin nian, gu yue xi lu ning xin. zhi du lun wu yue: "shan xin yi chu zhu bu dong, shi ming san mei." tong er shi ba yue: "yi qie chan ding, yi ming ding, yi ming san mei." tong er shi yue: "zhu xing he he, jie ming wei san mei." tong er shi san yue: "yi qie chan ding she xin, jie ming wei san mo ti, qin yan zheng xin xing chu. shi xin cong wu shi shi jie lai chang qu bu duan, de ci zheng xin xing chu, xin ze duan zhi, pi ru she xing chang qu, ru zhu tong zhong ze zhi." zhi guan er yue: "tong cheng san mei zhe, diao zhi ding ye." da lun yun: "shan xin yi chu zhu bu dong, shi ming san mei." da cheng yi zhang shi san yue: "ding zhe dang ti wei ming, xin zhu yi yuan, li yu san dong, gu ming wei ding. yan san mei zhe, shi wai guo yu, ci ming zheng ding." tong er yue: "yi xin he fa, li xie luan, gu yue san mei." tong jiu yue: "xin ti ji jing, li yu xie luan, gu yue san mei." tong er shi yue: "ding zhe ju xing bian xi luan zhu yuan, mu zhi wei ding. jiu shi er bian zhen xin ti ji, zi xing bu dong, gu ming wei ding." xin cheng san mo de, yi wei ding huo zheng shou, deng chi deng nian. you yue xian fa le zhu. ding yu zheng shou. qi yi tong qian. ping deng bao chi xin, gu yue deng chi. zhu fu zhu pu sa ru you qing jie ping deng hu nian bi deng, gu yue deng nian. shi jiu li ta ye er shi zhi ye. you xian ding zhong fa le, gu yue xian fa le zhu. zheng shou zhi yi ming ye. wei shi lun wu yue: "yu suo guan jing ling xin zhuan zhu bu san wei xing, zhi yi wei ye." tan xuan ji san yue: "san mei ci yun deng chi, li chen fu, gu ding hui deng, gu ming deng ye. xin bu san, gu zhu yi jing, gu ming chi ye." fa hua xuan zan er yue: "fan yun san mo de, ci yun deng chi. ping deng chi xin er zhi yu jing, ji shi ding ye, yun san mei zhe e ye." xuan ying yin yi san yue: "san mei, huo yan san mo ti, huo yun san mo di jie e ye. zheng yan san mo de, ci yi yun deng chi. deng zhe zheng ye, zheng chi xin ye, chi wei chi zhu gong de ye. huo yun zheng ding, wei zhu yuan yi jing, li zhu xie luan ye." pu ti xin yi yi yue: "fan yun san mo de, tang yun deng nian. ru you qing jie, ping deng she shou er hu nian zhi zhe."

Source: DILA Glossaries: Ding Fubao: Dictionary of Buddhist Studies

1) 三昧 ts = sān mèi p refers to [noun] “samadhi”; Domain: Buddhism 佛教 [fu jiao] , Subdomain: Fo Guang Shan; Notes: (Glossary of Humanistic Buddhism).

2) 三昧 ts = sān mèi p refers to [noun] “samādhi; concentrated meditation; mental concentration”; Domain: Buddhism 佛教 [fu jiao]; Notes: Sanskrit equivalent: samādhi, Pali: samādhi, Japanese: sanmai, Tibetan: ting nge 'dzin; a higher level of concentrated meditation. According to the Tiantai School, there are four kinds of samadhi: 1. constant sitting samadhi 常坐三昧 [chang zuo san mei]; 2. constant walking samadhi 常行三昧 [chang xing san mei]; 3. half walking, half sitting samadhi 半行半坐三昧 [ban xing ban zuo san mei]; 4. non-walking, non-sitting samadhi 非行非坐三昧 [fei xing fei zuo san mei] (BL 'samādhi', p. 743; FGDB '三昧 [san mei]'; Powers 2007, p. 69; SH '三昧 [san mei]', p. 67; Tzu Chuang 2012, pp. 290-294)..

Source: NTI Reader: Chinese-English Buddhist dictionary
context information

Chinese Buddhism (漢傳佛教, hanchuan fojiao) is the form of Buddhism that developed in China, blending Mahayana teachings with Daoist and Confucian thought. Its texts are mainly in Classical Chinese, based on translations from Sanskrit. Major schools include Chan (Zen), Pure Land, Tiantai, and Huayan. Chinese Buddhism has greatly influenced East Asian religion and culture.

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[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

三昧 [sān mèi] [san mei]—
1. In Buddhism, it refers to the state where a practitioner concentrates their mind on a single point. It is a transliteration from a non-Chinese language (胡語 [hu yu] Húyǔ). It is fundamentally similar to keeping the mind in a state of non-distraction or stillness. Cheng Shi Lun (成實論 [cheng shi lun] Chéng Shí Lùn), Volume 12: "Now we will discuss samadhi (sānmèi). Question: 'What is the characteristic of samadhi (sānmèi)?' Answer: 'The characteristic of samadhi (sānmèi) is the mind dwelling in one place.'" It is also written as " samadhi (三摩地 [san mo de] sānmódì)," " samapati (三摩帝 [san mo di] sānmótì)," and " samadhi (三摩提 [san mo ti] sānmótí)."
2. Key, secret, trick, or knack. History of Song (宋史 [song shi] Sòng Shǐ), Volume 344, Biography of Li Zhichun (李之純傳 [li zhi chun chuan] Lǐ Zhīchún Zhuàn): "Zhiyi (之儀 [zhi yi] Zhīyí) was skilled at writing, especially short letters. Shi (軾 [shi] Shì, referring to Su Shi 苏轼 [su shi] Sū Shì) said that he had entered the samadhi (sānmèi) of official writing." Dream of the Red Chamber (紅樓夢 [hong lou meng] Hónglóu Mèng), Chapter 48: "Since that's the case, there's no need to look at poetry. Understanding lies not in quantity. Hearing you say a few lines, I know you have already grasped the samadhi (sānmèi)."

三昧:1.佛教謂修行者將心集中在一點的狀況。為胡語音譯。基本上和把心保持在無散亂或靜止的境界相似。《成實論》卷一二:「今當論三昧。問曰:『三昧何等相?』答曰:『心住一處是三昧相。』」也作「三摩地」、「三摩帝」、「三摩提」。
2.訣要、竅門。《宋史.卷三四四.李之純傳》:「之儀能為文,尤工尺牘,軾謂入刀筆三昧。」《紅樓夢》第四八回:「既是這樣,也不用看詩。會心處不在多。聽你說了兩句,可知三昧你已得了。」

sān mèi:1. fú jiào wèi xiū xíng zhě jiāng xīn jí zhōng zài yī diǎn de zhuàng kuàng. wèi hú yǔ yīn yì. jī běn shàng hé bǎ xīn bǎo chí zài wú sàn luàn huò jìng zhǐ de jìng jiè xiāng shì. < chéng shí lùn> juǎn yī èr: “jīn dāng lùn sān mèi. wèn yuē: ‘sān mèi hé děng xiāng?’ dá yuē: ‘xīn zhù yī chù shì sān mèi xiāng.’ ” yě zuò “sān mó de” ,, “sān mó dì” ,, “sān mó tí” .
2. jué yào,, qiào mén. < sòng shǐ. juǎn sān sì sì. lǐ zhī chún chuán>: “zhī yí néng wèi wén, yóu gōng chǐ dú, shì wèi rù dāo bǐ sān mèi.” < hóng lóu mèng> dì sì bā huí: “jì shì zhè yàng, yě bù yòng kàn shī. huì xīn chù bù zài duō. tīng nǐ shuō le liǎng jù, kě zhī sān mèi nǐ yǐ dé le.”

san mei:1. fu jiao wei xiu xing zhe jiang xin ji zhong zai yi dian de zhuang kuang. wei hu yu yin yi. ji ben shang he ba xin bao chi zai wu san luan huo jing zhi de jing jie xiang shi. < cheng shi lun> juan yi er: "jin dang lun san mei. wen yue: 'san mei he deng xiang?' da yue: 'xin zhu yi chu shi san mei xiang.' " ye zuo "san mo de" ,, "san mo di" ,, "san mo ti" .
2. jue yao,, qiao men. < song shi. juan san si si. li zhi chun chuan>: "zhi yi neng wei wen, you gong chi du, shi wei ru dao bi san mei." < hong lou meng> di si ba hui: "ji shi zhe yang, ye bu yong kan shi. hui xin chu bu zai duo. ting ni shuo le liang ju, ke zhi san mei ni yi de le."

Source: moedict.tw: Mengdian Mandarin Chinese Dictionary

三昧 [sān mèi] refers to: “(Skt. samādhi)”.

三昧 is further associated with the following language/terms:

[Vietnamese] tam muội.

[Korean] 삼매 / sammae.

[Japanese] サンマイ / ザンマイ.

Source: DILA Glossaries: Digital Dictionary of Buddhism
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Chinese language.

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