In Mahāyāna Buddhism, Yixing Sanmei (一行三昧, *Single-Practice Samādhi*—also known as *One-Phase Samādhi*, 一相三昧) is celebrated as a profound, swift pathway for a Bodhisattva to achieve Supreme Perfect Enlightenment (*Anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi*, 阿耨多羅三藐三菩提).
At first glance, the phrase sounds straightforward: "single practice" (一行) paired with "meditative absorption" (三昧, *samādhi*). However, in canonical scriptures, this concept operates across two deeply interwoven dimensions: the practical method of dedicated single-mindedness and the ultimate realization of non-duality.
What This Concept Is Saying (这个概念在说什么)
To understand *Single-Practice Samādhi* without reducing it to a simplistic mental trick, we must look at how two major traditions within the Mahāyāna canon explain it: the Prajñāpāramitā (般若部) literature and the Ratnakūṭa (寶積部) literature.
``` ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Single-Practice Samādhi (一行三昧) │ └───────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────┘ │ ┌─────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────┐ ▼ ▼ 【The Prajñā Dimension】 【The Ratnakūṭa Dimension】 (Maha Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra / 摩訶般若波羅蜜經) (Maha Ratnakūṭa Sūtra / 大寶積經) │ │ • "Not seeing the near shore or far shore" • "The Dharma Realm is of one single phase; (不見諸三昧此岸彼岸) binding mindfulness to the Dharma Realm" • Non-acquisition & non-duality (法界一相，繫緣法界) • Balanced by Bu Yixing Sanmei • Concrete practice: Hearing Wisdom, discarding (不一行三昧: Not attached to "singleness") distractions, single-mindedly remembering one Buddha ```
1. The Prajñā Dimension: Wisdom Beyond Two Shores
In the *Maha Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra* (摩訶般若波羅蜜經), *Single-Practice Samādhi* is defined as: > *"Dwelling in this samādhi, one does not see the near shore or the far shore of all samādhis."* (住是三昧，不見諸三昧此岸彼岸)
Here, "not seeing" (不見) does not mean ignorance or blindness; it refers to the profound wisdom of non-acquisition (無所得, *anupalambha*). In this state, the practitioner's mind transcends dualistic polarities: * Near shore vs. Far shore: Samsāra vs. Nirvāṇa, beginner vs. perfected master, conditioned vs. unconditioned. * Gain vs. Loss: Achieving a state versus failing to achieve it.
To ensure that practitioners do not become attached to the idea of "singleness" itself, the *Prajñāpāramitā* text immediately pairs *Single-Practice Samādhi* with Bu Yixing Sanmei (不一行三昧, *Not-Single-Practice Samādhi*), defined as *"not seeing the single characteristic of all samādhis"* (不見諸三昧一相).
This dialectic is critical: if you cling to "One" as a rigid, static refuge, you have fallen into dualism again (One vs. Many). True *Single-Practice Samādhi* breaks through both the fragmentation of the many and the rigidity of the one.
2. The Ratnakūṭa Dimension: Binding Mindfulness to the Dharma Realm
In the *Maha Ratnakūṭa Sūtra* (大寶積經), the definition takes a grounded, practice-oriented perspective: > *"The Dharma Realm is of one single characteristic; binding mindfulness to the Dharma Realm—this is called Single-Practice Samādhi."* (法界一相，繫緣法界，是名一行三昧)
Here, "Dharmadhātu" (法界, *the Dharma Realm*) represents ultimate reality—unbroken, interpenetrating, and free from artificial boundaries. The text provides a clear, step-by-step path to enter this state: 1. Listen to Prajñā (聽聞般若): First, study and reflect on the teachings of Wisdom (*Prajñāpāramitā*). 2. Seek Solitude & Drop Distractions (處空閑捨諸亂意不取相貌): Retreat to a quiet environment, drop chaotic mental proliferation, and stop grasping at superficial physical characteristics or mental forms. 3. Focus on One Buddha (繫心一佛專稱名字): Face the direction of a specific Buddha, focus the mind on that Buddha, and continuously recite their name with unbroken moment-to-moment mindfulness (念念相續).
3. The Principle: One is All (一即一切)
A common question arises: *If there are infinite Buddhas, why focus on just one?*
The *Maha Ratnakūṭa Sūtra* answers through the principle of Interpenetration: > *"Remembering the merit of one Buddha is infinite and boundless, non-different from the merit of immeasurable Buddhas... for all Buddhas realize supreme enlightenment by riding upon the One Suchness."* (念一佛功德無量無邊，亦與無量諸佛功德無二……皆乘一如成最正覺)
Because all Buddhas are manifestations of the same underlying ultimate reality—Suchness (一如, *Tathatā*)—truly penetrating one Buddha means penetrating all Buddhas. Entering *Single-Practice Samādhi* yields wisdom and eloquence that surpass standard learning, like polishing a priceless Mani jewel (治磨摩尼寶) until its light shines inside and out.
Walkthrough in Daily Life (生活里的走查)
To see how *Single-Practice Samādhi* functions, let us trace how a contemporary person moves through a typical modern day, contrasting everyday mental traps with the classical definitions.
``` [Modern Daily Experience] [Mental Trap / Mismapping] [Canonical Correction via Yixing Sanmei] ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 1. Morning Commute "Hyper-focus on my phone screen → "Discard chaotic thoughts & forms" (Doomscrolling / News alerts) equals concentration." (捨諸亂意不取相貌) + "Bind mindfulness to one" Focus on real-world Suchness/Buddha name.
2. Workplace Crunch "Singular task-focus for profit/ → "No near shore, no far shore" (Obsessing over KPIs & deadlines) pride is Samādhi." (不見此岸彼岸) Release dualities of success vs. failure.
3. Evening Meditation / Chanting "My meditation method is superior → "Not-Single-Practice Samādhi" (Clinging to spiritual practice) to others; I am building merit." (不一行三昧: 不見諸三昧一相) Drop spiritual ego; realize One is All. ```
Scene 1: The Morning Commute & Screen Attachment
* The Situation: You are on a crowded subway train. You pull out your phone, hyper-focusing on social media feeds, work emails, or short videos. Your world shrinks to a 6-inch glass display. * Common Mismapping: People often think, *"I am completely absorbed in one thing right now. Is this Single-Practice Samādhi?"* * Canonical Mapping: No. This is grasping at appearances (取相貌) driven by distraction and habituation. *Single-Practice Samādhi* requires "discarding chaotic thoughts and not taking appearance" (捨諸亂意不取相貌) while anchoring the mind in the un-differentiated reality of *Dharmadhātu* (繫緣法界). * Correct Practice: On that same train, instead of letting your attention be fragmented by notifications, you sit upright. You acknowledge the surrounding noise without judgment, let go of scattered thoughts, and single-mindedly anchor your mind on a single focal point—such as reciting a Buddha’s name or holding a single contemplation of impermanence—moment to moment (念念相續).
Scene 2: High-Stakes Work & Overtime
* The Situation: You are working late on a critical project deadline. You get into a state of "flow," ignoring physical hunger and tiredness to finish the presentation. * Common Mismapping: Confusing psychological "flow state" or workaholic hyper-focus with *Samādhi*. * Canonical Mapping: Psychological flow is often tied to ego-driven outcomes (fear of failure, desire for approval, financial reward). *Single-Practice Samādhi*, as taught in the *Prajñāpāramitā*, requires "not seeing the near shore or the far shore" (不見諸三昧此岸彼岸). * Correct Practice: While doing the work, you maintain complete presence without attachment to the dualities of "getting it done" (far shore) versus "being stuck right now" (near shore). You do the task wholeheartedly, yet your inner peace does not depend on whether the outcome is praised or blamed.
Scene 3: Dedicated Meditation or Chanting Session
* The Situation: You set aside 30 minutes in a quiet room to sit or recite a Buddha's name (*Nianfo*). Halfway through, you feel a deep sense of stillness and think, *"Finally, I have reached Samādhi! My method is much better than those noisy modern pursuits."* * Common Mismapping: Falling into spiritual pride or clinging to a "fixed state" of quietude. * Canonical Mapping: The moment you cling to "I have attained Samādhi," you have created a dualistic divide between "me who attains" and "the state attained." * Correct Practice: This is where Bu Yixing Sanmei (*Not-Single-Practice Samādhi*) steps in. You recite or meditate continuously, but you do not grasp at the "single state" (不見諸三昧一相). You realize that your practice, the Buddha you contemplate, and all beings are non-different in the realm of Suchness (乘一如成最正覺).
Why Modern People Need It (当代人为什么需要它)
Contemporary life is defined by attention fragmentation and algorithmic capture. Modern software algorithms are explicitly engineered to break human attention into micro-moments, keeping minds perpetually restless, anxious, and reactive.
``` [Modern Attention Economy] [Single-Practice Samādhi] ┌────────────────────────────────────┐ ┌────────────────────────────────────┐ │ • Fragmented focus (Micro-drives) │ │ • Whole-mind integration │ │ • Algorithmic anxiety & reactive │ VS. │ • Deep, unshakeable stability │ │ • Chasing endless external targets │ │ • Realizing internal self-nature │ └────────────────────────────────────┘ └────────────────────────────────────┘ ```
1. From Task Concentration to Existential Freedom: Modern productivity culture preaches "mindfulness" or "focus" merely as tools to boost efficiency—to grind longer and produce more output. *Single-Practice Samādhi* reclaims focus as an act of liberation. It turns attention away from endless worldly production back toward the non-dual essence of reality. 2. Curing the "FOMO" of Spiritual and Intellectual Shopping: Modern seekers often suffer from spiritual overload—hopping from one meditation app, breathwork technique, or philosophical system to another, fearing they are missing out. The doctrine of *Single-Practice Samādhi* assures us that "One is All": when you deeply penetrate one true path to its root (Suchness), you simultaneously access the wisdom of all paths. 3. Dissolving Post-Modern Polarization: Our culture is increasingly binary: us vs. them, success vs. failure, physical vs. spiritual. The *Prajñā* insight of "not seeing near or far shore" provides an antidote to this rigid black-and-white thinking, offering a spacious mind that can navigate conflicts without malice or anxiety.
Common Misreadings and Clarifications (常见误读与澄清)
Misreading 1: "Single-Practice Samādhi just means doing one single physical activity, like single-tasking."
* Clarification: Single-tasking (e.g., just eating while eating, just writing while writing) is a helpful psychological habit, but it is not *Samādhi*. *Single-Practice Samādhi* is fundamentally an ontological and contemplative breakthrough. It means binding the mind to the unified, un-differentiated nature of the Dharma Realm (法界一相，繫緣法界), transcending egoic grasping.
Misreading 2: "Focusing on one Buddha means rejecting other Buddhas or traditions."
* Clarification: This overlooks the core Mahāyāna principle explained in the *Maha Ratnakūṭa Sūtra*: all Buddhas "ride upon the One Suchness to achieve enlightenment" (乘一如成最正覺). Focusing single-mindedly on one Buddha is not sectarian exclusivity; it is using one clear doorway to enter the boundless ocean of all Buddhas' merits.
Misreading 3: "Samādhi means entering a trance where you are unaware of the world."
* Clarification: In Mahāyāna texts, *Single-Practice Samādhi* endows the practitioner with vast wisdom, clarity, and unhindered eloquence (百千倍於阿難). It is described as being like the sun shining everywhere (日輪普照). Far from being a dull or comatose trance, it is a state of vivid, boundless awareness that naturally expresses itself in compassionate action.
Misreading 4: "Science or Neuro-feedback has proven or fully explained Samādhi."
* Clarification: While modern neuroscience can measure EEG brainwave changes, reduced amygdala activity, or altered default mode network (DMN) states during deep focus, these physical metrics capture only the physiological shadows of concentration. Science measures neural correlations; it cannot measure or explain the realization of non-duality (無所得), the dissolution of subject-object boundaries, or the realization of the ultimate *Dharmadhātu*. Cognitive tools are helpful analogies, but they should not be conflated with the Buddhist goal of ultimate liberation (*Bodhi*).