Q & A with ChatGPT ( ChatGPT 問與答 )
Q3: What are the meanings of “The Samādhi of One Form” (一相三昧) and “The Samādhi of One Practice” (一行三昧) as described in the Platform Sūtra of the Sixth Patriarch? How are they related to psychology, neuroscience, human behavior, quantum physics, and enlightenment?
ChatGPT:
That's a very good question. This question actually runs through the intersection of Buddhism, modern science, psychology, and even quantum physics. Let's break it down step by step.
I. “The Samādhi of One Form” and “The Samādhi of One Practice” in the Platform Sūtra
1️⃣ The Samādhi of One Form (一相三昧)
Source: Platform Sūtra, “Dhyāna and Prajñā Chapter” (定慧品).
“What is the Samādhi of One Form? To remain undefiled in all conditions — this is called the Samādhi of One Form.”
Meaning:
“One form” actually means formless; “samādhi” means stable awareness or meditative absorption.
It refers to the state in which, amidst all phenomena — pleasant or painful, beautiful or ugly — the mind remains unstained and unentangled, resting in its pure self-nature.
You still perceive the world (“mountain is mountain, water is water”), yet see it all as one undivided suchness.
Key points:
2️⃣ The Samādhi of One Practice (一行三昧)
Source: same chapter, Platform Sūtra
“If in all situations of walking, standing, sitting, and lying down, one maintains a single, straight mind — this is called the Samādhi of One Practice.”
Meaning:
“One Practice” means acting with one mind — with no distraction, no dualistic thought.
In daily activity, when one is unwaveringly centered and aware, mindfulness flows continuously — that’s samādhi.
Huìnéng emphasizes it’s not limited to sitting meditation, but living with a calm, non-dual mind amid daily action.
Key points:
II. The Relationship Between Them
One Form: non-attachment to conditions
One Practice: non-separation from conditions
Thus, “seeing the formless within forms” and “acting without leaving awareness.”
III. Connection to Psychology
IV. Connection to Neuroscience
Research on meditation shows:
V. Connection to Human Behavior
Behaviorally, the Samādhi of One Practice represents deep cognitive-behavioral integration — actions flow spontaneously without inner conflict.
It mirrors Daoist wu-wei (effortless action): action without compulsion, fully aligned with awareness.
VI. Connection to Quantum Physics (Metaphorical Parallel)
Not literal physics, but conceptually resonant:
“Samādhi” = coherent resonance between consciousness and cosmos.
VII. Relationship to Enlightenment
Enlightenment (bodhi) is the direct realization of these samādhis:
VIII. Summary Table
ChatGPT:
That's a very good question. This question actually runs through the intersection of Buddhism, modern science, psychology, and even quantum physics. Let's break it down step by step.
I. “The Samādhi of One Form” and “The Samādhi of One Practice” in the Platform Sūtra
1️⃣ The Samādhi of One Form (一相三昧)
Source: Platform Sūtra, “Dhyāna and Prajñā Chapter” (定慧品).
“What is the Samādhi of One Form? To remain undefiled in all conditions — this is called the Samādhi of One Form.”
Meaning:
“One form” actually means formless; “samādhi” means stable awareness or meditative absorption.
It refers to the state in which, amidst all phenomena — pleasant or painful, beautiful or ugly — the mind remains unstained and unentangled, resting in its pure self-nature.
You still perceive the world (“mountain is mountain, water is water”), yet see it all as one undivided suchness.
Key points:
- “One Form” = equality of all forms (no duality)
- “Samādhi” = stillness with wisdom present
- Practice = stillness within activity
2️⃣ The Samādhi of One Practice (一行三昧)
Source: same chapter, Platform Sūtra
“If in all situations of walking, standing, sitting, and lying down, one maintains a single, straight mind — this is called the Samādhi of One Practice.”
Meaning:
“One Practice” means acting with one mind — with no distraction, no dualistic thought.
In daily activity, when one is unwaveringly centered and aware, mindfulness flows continuously — that’s samādhi.
Huìnéng emphasizes it’s not limited to sitting meditation, but living with a calm, non-dual mind amid daily action.
Key points:
- “One Practice” = undivided awareness in all actions
- “Samādhi” = movement within stillness
- Action and awareness are one.
II. The Relationship Between Them
- “One Form” corresponds to wisdom (prajñā) — insight into reality.
- “One Practice” corresponds to meditative stability (samādhi) — application in life.
Together, they express the Sixth Patriarch’s core idea: “Samādhi and Wisdom are one.”
One Form: non-attachment to conditions
One Practice: non-separation from conditions
Thus, “seeing the formless within forms” and “acting without leaving awareness.”
III. Connection to Psychology
- “One Form Samādhi” ≈ Non-judgmental awareness in mindfulness psychology.
- “One Practice Samādhi” ≈ Flow state (Csíkszentmihályi): complete absorption in activity.
IV. Connection to Neuroscience
Research on meditation shows:
- The Default Mode Network (DMN) — linked to self-referential thinking — becomes quieter.
- Prefrontal and parietal integration increases focus and global awareness.
- Brain waves shift from β → α → θ → γ coherence.
- One Form Samādhi → self-boundaries dissolve, unified consciousness
- One Practice Samādhi → balanced awareness in motion, cognition-action harmony
V. Connection to Human Behavior
Behaviorally, the Samādhi of One Practice represents deep cognitive-behavioral integration — actions flow spontaneously without inner conflict.
It mirrors Daoist wu-wei (effortless action): action without compulsion, fully aligned with awareness.
VI. Connection to Quantum Physics (Metaphorical Parallel)
Not literal physics, but conceptually resonant:
- “One Form” ≈ the Unified Field — all phenomena arising from one undivided field.
- “One Practice” ≈ the Observer Effect — consciousness participates in manifestation but remains unattached.
- When subject and object dissolve into one field of awareness, that’s the non-dual dharmadhātu.
“Samādhi” = coherent resonance between consciousness and cosmos.
VII. Relationship to Enlightenment
Enlightenment (bodhi) is the direct realization of these samādhis:
- “One Form” = seeing all phenomena as empty, undifferentiated.
- “One Practice” = abiding in that realization through all activities.
When stillness and movement, wisdom and action, merge — that’s sudden awakening.
VIII. Summary Table
|
Aspect
Definition
Emphasis State Psychology Neuroscience Human Behavior Quantum Analogy Enlightenment |
One Form Samādhi
Mind unstained amid all phenomena
Insight & Wisdom Formless seeing within forms Non-judgmental awareness DMN deactivation Selfless awareness Unified Field Seeing the formless |
One Practice Samādhi
One-mindfulness in all actions
Stability & Practice Stillness in motion Flow, total immersion Prefrontal integration, meditative awareness Spontaneous, effortless action Observer effect Acting in non-duality |
🔵 Visual Infographic Description
🔵 Visual Infographic Description
