The 10 Kasinas Explained (Earth, Water, Fire, Colours, Light & Space)

In the Visuddhimagga — the classical Theravada meditation manual compiled in Sri Lanka in the 5th century — the master Buddhaghosa describes ten kasinas: ten objects a meditator can use to develop deep concentration. Each leads to the same destination (the jhanas), but each has a slightly different flavour.

If you are new to the practice, read our complete step-by-step kasina guide first, then use this page to choose your object.

The Four Element Kasinas

1. Earth (pathavi). A disc of smooth, dawn-coloured clay or a patch of prepared ground. The traditional "default" kasina and a very grounding, stable object.

2. Water (apo). A bowl of clear, still water. Calming and fluid; good for practitioners who find earth too heavy.

3. Fire (tejo). A flame viewed through a small aperture, or a candle. Vivid and energising — and popular with modern practitioners. See our fire kasina step-by-step guide.

4. Air / Wind (vayo). The movement of air — treetops swaying, steam rising, the touch of a breeze. The subtlest element kasina and generally not recommended for beginners.

The Four Colour Kasinas

5. Blue / Dark-blue (nila). A blue disc or flower. Cooling and settling.

6. Yellow (pita). A yellow disc or bloom. Warm and bright.

7. Red (lohita). A red disc. Strong and clear.

8. White (odata). A white disc. The Visuddhimagga singles white out as producing an especially clear, luminous mind — which is why we recommend it for beginners in our white kasina guide.

The Light and Space Kasinas

9. Light (aloka). A circle of light — sunlight through a gap, a bright reflection. Very close to the white kasina and produces a radiant sign.

10. Space (akasa). A bounded circle of empty space, such as a hole in a screen. This kasina leans toward the formless attainments and is usually taken up later.

Which Kasina Should You Choose?

For almost everyone starting out, choose white or light — they give the clearest counterpart sign and the smoothest path to absorption. Fire is a wonderful, vivid alternative if you are drawn to it. The important thing is to pick one and stay with it; switching objects constantly is the enemy of concentration.

Traditionally you would receive a kasina object and instruction from a teacher. If you cannot reach a monastery, structured concentration courses on Waking Up and Insight Timer are a reasonable modern substitute — see our app comparison.