The main purposes of this thematic paper were to study concentration in Theravāda Buddhism and to study a purpose of the meditation practice in Theravāda Buddhism. This was a qualitative research to collect all data from books, texts, Buddhist academic paper, related researches with the descriptive analysis.

            A result of this study was found that Samadhi meant mind concentrating on one wholesome emotion with wisdom to understand things as they really were. This concentration was proper to be used in work. Samadhi was divided into three levels. The first was Khanika-samādhi, a basic concentration as seen in common men. The second was Upacara-samādhi, higher concentration to cease five hindrances. The third was Appana-samadhi, the highest concentration. To develop concentration in Theravāda Buddhism covered two types: (1) Samatha-kammatthana to make mind peaceful and concentrated and (2) Vipassana-kammatthana to grow wisdom to learn a form and mind as Three Characteristics. Thus, to develop concentration was a way to train human mind.

            There were two main purposes of developing concentration in Theravāda Buddhism. The first was the major or highest purpose of developing concentration, i.e. freedom including: (1) Ceto-vimutti (mental freedom), and (2) Paññā-vimutti (freedom by wisdom). The first came from practicing Samatha and the second came from practicing Vipassanā. The other purpose of developing concentration stressed on using the concentration to develop various aspects in the daily life. There was the daily use of concentration in many aspects: mental development, development of a body, behaviour, wisdom, and societies. These examples were apparent in the Buddhist science and they were proved that concentration was useful for all human beings.

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