Samatha & Vipassanā — Tranquility & Insight

This is part 21 of a course going through the similes and metaphors of the Buddha. Course home 1: Introduction to Imagery in the EBTs2: Taṇhā — Craving3: Rāga — Passion4: Vyāpāda — Hatred and Aversion5: Thīnamiddha — Sloth and Torpor6: Uddhaccakukkuca — Restlessness and Worry7: Vicikicchā — Doubt8: Vedanā — Feelings9: Vedanānupassanā — Investigating Feelings10: Sukha — Happiness11: Upekkhā — Equanimity12: Yathābhūtañāṇadassana — Knowledge and Vision of the Way Things Are13: Vimutti — Liberation14: Upādāna – Grasping15: Sakkāyadiṭṭhi - Self View16: Sammādiṭṭhi - Right View17: Saṅkhāra — Activity18: Vitakka — Thought19: Yoniso Manasikāra — Wise Attention20: Vipassanā — Insight21: Samatha & Vipassanā — Tranquility & Insight22: Samādhi — Immersion23: Viveka — Seclusion24: Vossagga — Letting Go25: Suññatā — Emptiness26: Conclusion

Illustration by Ayya Vimalayani aka "Ven Yodha"

There is no meditation for he who lacks wisdom, nor wisdom for he who lacks meditation. He who has both indeed is close to Nibbana. ~ Dhp 372

Textbook

Read Chapter 8 of:

From Grasping to Emptiness: Excursions into the Thought-world of the Pāli Discourses Volume 2 – Bhikkhu Anālayo (.pdf)

Suttas

AN 4.170: In Conjunction (.pdf)

AN 10.99: With Upāli

SN 35.245 Kiṁsukopama Sutta: The Simile of the Parrot Tree

Similes

Hecker similes: 6, 36, 49 and 65.

Reflection

Just as a rabbit cannot compare to an elephant, nor can any metal compare to gold, the “plowing” of tranquility and insight is incomparable in the world.

Continue to Part 22, Samādhi — Immersion

...or go back to part 20