As mentioned above, samadha or samadhibhavana is characterized by its mundane nature, whereas vipassana is directed toward the transcendent goal of Nibbana. Obviously, the strength of concentration differs in the different stages of training. Moreover, concentration used in insight meditation, assists to penetrate into the three existence realities. These are the characteristics common to all existence, namely, impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and non - substantially. Based on three insights of reality, vipassana concentration is therefore divided into three types as follows;
1. Sunnata samadhi or concentration on the void. This is the concentration, which is specifically based on anattalakhana or the characteristic of soullessness. It supports and identifies with the insight that contemplates on the relative, non - substantial nature of realities. This insight aims primarily at liberation through penetration into the soulless nature of all things.
2. Animitta samadhi or concentration on signless, an expression referring to the transitoriness of existence. This concentration supports insight which contemplates the impermanence nature of all things [ aniccalakhana ], particularly the experiences to the meditator's awareness, is applied in the training of insight meditation that liberation is achieved through seeing in their true nature as impermanence and ever changing.
3. Appanihita samadhi or concentration on desireless, a concentration which is direced toward the characteristic of unsatisfactoriness of all thins [ dukkalahana].This type of concentration is involved to direct mindfulness to the unsatisfactory aspect of experience pertaining to the four foundation of mindfulness in order to perceive things in their true nature. Such contemplation enables one to relinquish desire and attachment and lead to the realization of Nibbana.
Strictly speaking, the three characteristics of existence are but different aspects of one and the same reality. As the Buddha often stressed, " Whatever is impermanent is unsatisfactory ; whatever is unsatisfactory is non self. " The practitioner of insight meditation may therefore select that characteristic which is most suitable to one's temperament and concentrate on that in order to make greater progress in one own endeavor. For instance, a person with inherent propensity for sensual desire profitably by constantly applying mindfulness to the unsatisfactory nature of things, which enables one to advance more satisfactory on the spiritual path.
By THE BUDDHA'S Core Teachings
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