Khanika Samadhi (Pali: khaṇika-samādhi) translates to momentary concentration. It is a fundamental level of mental focus in Buddhist meditation, particularly within the Theravada tradition and Vipassana (insight) practice.
Unlike deep absorption, which stays fixed on a single stationary object for a long time, khanika samadhi is a "mobile" form of concentration that remains stable while the object of focus changes from moment to moment.
Key Characteristics
- Moment-to-Moment Focus: The mind stays intensely focused on whatever phenomenon arises in the present—a sound, a sensation in the body, or a passing thought—and then moves seamlessly to the next.
- Mobile yet Stable: While the objects change, the quality of the concentration remains steady and uninterrupted. It is often compared to a person walking: while one foot is moving, the other is firmly on the ground, providing continuous stability.
- The Engine of Insight: It is the primary type of concentration used in Vipassana. To see the "Three Marks of Existence" (impermanence, suffering, and non-self), the mind must be concentrated enough to see things as they truly are, even as they change.
Comparison with Other States
In the traditional progression of meditation, khanika samadhi is often grouped with two other levels:
| Type of Samadhi | Meaning | Description |
| Khanika Samadhi | Momentary | Focus moves with the changing flow of mind and body; essential for insight. |
| Upacara Samadhi | Access | A steady focus where the five hindrances (like greed and anger) are suppressed, but full absorption isn't yet reached. |
| Appana Samadhi | Fixed/Absorption | Total immersion in a single object (Jhana); the mind and the object become one. |
Why It Matters
For those who do not practice deep "fixed" meditation (Jhana), khanika samadhi is considered a valid path to enlightenment. It allows a practitioner to develop "dry-insight" (sukkha-vipassaka)—achieving realization by using the sharp, momentary focus of a mindful mind to penetrate the nature of reality during daily life or sitting practice.
Practical Example
If you are practicing walking meditation, your mind might note "lifting," "moving," "placing." Each of these is a different "moment," but if your mind stays purely with those movements without wandering to the past or future, you are experiencing khanika samadhi.