In a general sense, samādhi can describe a number of different meditative states. In the Mahāyāna literature, in particular in the Prajñāpāramitā sūtras, we find extensive lists of different samādhis, numbering over one hundred.

In a more restricted sense, and when understood as a mental state, samādhi is defined as the one-pointedness of the mind (cittaikāgratā), the ability to remain on the same object over long periods of time. The Drajor Bamponyipa (sgra sbyor bam po gnyis pa) commentary on the Mahāvyutpatti explains the term samādhi as referring to the instrument through which mind and mental states “get collected,” i.e., it is by the force of samādhi that the continuum of mind and mental states becomes collected on a single point of reference without getting distracted.

Name of the thus-gone one of the world system Source of Diligence.

Name of the world system of the thus-gone one Glory of the Exalted King of Palmyra Trees.

Epithet for the bodhisattva and future Buddha Maitreya.

Name of the thus-gone one of the world system Delightful (Abhirati).

Name of the world system of the thus-gone one Jewel Light.

Name of the thus-gone one of the world system Endowed with the Essence of Vajra.

Name of the thus-gone one of the world system Attainment of All Powerful Forces.

Name of the thus-gone one of the world system Immaculate.

The buddha of the western buddhafield of Sukhāvatī, where fortunate beings are reborn to make further progress toward spiritual maturity. Amitābha made his great vows to create such a realm when he was a bodhisattva called Dharmākara. In the Pure Land Buddhist tradition, popular in East Asia, aspiring to be reborn in his buddha realm is the main emphasis; in other Mahāyāna traditions, too, it is a widespread practice. For a detailed description of the realm, see The Display of the Pure Land of Sukhāvatī, Toh 115. In some tantras that make reference to the five families he is the tathāgata associated with the lotus family.

Amitābha, “Infinite Light,” is also known in many Indian Buddhist works as Amitāyus, “Infinite Life.” In both East Asian and Tibetan Buddhist traditions he is often conflated with another buddha named “Infinite Life,” Aparimitāyus, or “Infinite Life and Wisdom,”Aparimitāyurjñāna, the shorter version of whose name has also been back-translated from Tibetan into Sanskrit as Amitāyus but who presides over a realm in the zenith. For details on the relation between these buddhas and their names, see The Aparimitāyurjñāna Sūtra (1) Toh 674, i.9.

Name of the thus-gone one of the world system Sukhāvatī. Alternate name for Amitābha.

Name of the thus-gone one of the world system Free of Poverty.

Name of the thus-gone one of the world system Smooth as Kācilindika Fabric.

Name of the thus-gone one of the world system Perfectly Pure Abode.

Name of the world system of the thus-gone one Always Fragrant.

Name of the world system of the thus-gone one Forever Passed Beyond Sorrow.

Name of the world system of the thus-gone one Glory of Being Immersed in Incalculable Effort.

Name of the world system of the thus-gone one Departed to a Lotus. Likely the same as the world system Joyful Entrance.

Name of the world system of the thus-gone one Manifest Mount Sumeru.

Name of the world system of the thus-gone one Glory of the Manifestation of the Sublime Lotus.

Name of the world system of the thus-gone one Branch Guru. Alternative name for the world system Liberation from All Sorrow and Harm.

One of the eight hot hells.

In Buddhist literature, this is an epithet applied to buddhas, most often to Śākyamuni. The Sanskrit term generally means “possessing fortune,” but in specifically Buddhist contexts it implies that a buddha is in possession of six auspicious qualities (bhaga) associated with complete awakening. The Tibetan term‍—where bcom is said to refer to “subduing” the four māras, ldan to “possessing” the great qualities of buddhahood, and ’das to “going beyond” saṃsāra and nirvāṇa‍—possibly reflects the commentarial tradition where the Sanskrit bhagavat is interpreted, in addition, as “one who destroys the four māras.” This is achieved either by reading bhagavat as bhagnavat (“one who broke”), or by tracing the word bhaga to the root √bhañj (“to break”).

A kind of absorption.

Name of the world system of the thus-gone one Infinite Renown.

Name of the thus-gone one of the world system Superior to All Cymbals.

Name of the thus-gone one of the world system Beyond All Sorrow and Harm/Liberation from All Sorrow and Harm.

Name of the thus-gone one of the world system Crystalline.

Name of the thus-gone one of the world system Immeasurable.

Name of the world system of the thus-gone one Shining Jewel.

Name of the thus-gone one of the world system Shining with All Qualities.

Name of the world system of the thus-gone one Essence of Vaiḍūrya.

Name of the world system of the thus-gone one Fire.

Name of the thus-gone one of the world system Region of Joyous Radiance.

Name of the world system of the thus-gone one Devoid of Sorrow.

Third of the eight hot hells of Buddhist cosmology. The guardians of the Crushing Hell repeatedly crush its inhabitants between mountains.

Name of the world system of the thus-gone one Bright Jewel.

Name of the world system of the thus-gone one Victory Banner at the Pinnacle of Goodness. Another name for the world system Supreme Goodness.

Name of the world system of the thus-gone one Akṣobhya.

Name of the thus-gone one of the world system Yaṅgarvatī.

Name of the thus-gone one venerated by Always Fragrant when he was engaged in the conduct of the bodhisattvas.

Name of the thus-gone one of the world system Joyful Entrance. Likely an alternate name for the thus-gone one Departed to a Lotus.

Name of the thus-gone one of the world system Beautiful Entrance. Likely an alternate name for the thus-gone one Departed to a Jewel Lotus.

(1) Name of the thus-gone one of the world system Created with Joy. (2) Name of the world system of the thus-gone one Leader of Heroes.

Lit. Illuminator. Name of the thus-gone one of the world system Light of Victory.

Being reborn in hell, or as a preta, an animal, or a long-lived deity (of the formless realms), or being a human in a time without a buddha’s teaching, in a land without the teaching, with a defective faculties, or without faith.

Eighteen special features of a buddha’s physical state, realization, activity, and wisdom that are not shared by ordinary beings.

Name of the world system of the thus-gone one Glory of Sublime Goodness.

Name of the thus-gone one of the world system Endowed with Essence.

Name of the world system of the thus-gone one Guru of Dharma.