Parent:: [[Samadhi|Samādhi]], [[Carana|Caraṇa]] Child:: [[Piti|Pīti]], [[Ekaggata|Ekaggatā]] # Jhāna (States of Meditative Absorptions) ## Summary In summary, Jhana progresses in 5 following factors: ![[(Best) {Vilas Blog} From Ignorance to Awakening#^jhana-definition]] > [!Info] How these 5 factors work can be seen in [[SN36.31 Nirāmisasutta]] > ![[Pasted image 20231107113348 (how jhana factors work).png]] ## 9 Stages of Jhāna ### Rūpa Jhāna (1st - 4th) (with Form) ### (Preparation) Before Entering the Jhāna ![[MN19 Dvedhāvitakkasutta#^before-jhana]] #### 1st Jhāna ![[MN26 Pāsarāsisutta#^1st-jhana]] > [!summary] Key steps > 1. Give up the thoughts on sensuality (See [[Asubha]], [[Indriya Samvara|Indriya Bhāvanā]]) and worldly affairs. > 2. Give up the thoughts on the [[Dasa Akusala|10 Immoral Deeds]] (also see [[Sila|Sīla]]) and remove the [[Nivarana|5 Hindrances]]. > 3. Reflect on Dhamma teachings (i.e. Dhamma vicaya) via [[Savitakka & Savicara|Directed Thinking and Pondering]] > - See [[Etam Santam|Etaṁ Santaṁ Etaṁ Paṇītaṁ]] > 4. Attaining [[Piti|Pīti]] (Rapture and joy) ##### 5 Factors to Give up and 5 to Possess! ![[MN43 Mahāvedallasutta#^1-jhana-factors]] Also see: - [[(Fundamental!) {Vilas Blog} Preliminary Steps for Anapanassati]] - [[#Steps-by-step How to enter into Jhāna]] #### 2nd Jhāna ![[MN26 Pāsarāsisutta#^2nd-jhana]] > [!summary] Key steps > 1. Allow the thinking and pondering to calm down > 2. Dwell in complete piti (rapture and joy), with sukha (happiness) #### 3rd Jhāna ![[MN26 Pāsarāsisutta#^3rd-jhana]] > [!summary] Key steps > 1. By not holding on to piti, it fades away. > - See Tapussasutta ([AN9.41](https://suttacentral.net/AN9.41/en/sujato)) > 2. Dwell in complete sukha (happiness), with upekkha (equanimity) and [[Sati]] (mindfulness) > [! important] Now, ready for Vipassana > Once one is fully established in ***Sukha***, the mind is now **Ready** to take on ***Any*** [[Vipassana|Vipassanā]] subjects (e.g. anicca, dukkha, anatta, 5 aggregates, 4 noble truths, etc.) and it can go **very deep** into them, where **insights** will keep coming. > > The mind is now like a ***clear mirror***, where it can reflect anything given to it. #### 4th Jhāna ![[MN26 Pāsarāsisutta#^4th-jhana]] ### Arūpa Jhāna (5th - 9th) (Formelss) #### 5th Jhāna (Infinite Space) ![[MN26 Pāsarāsisutta#^5th-jhana]] #### 6th Jhāna (Infinite Consciousness) ![[MN26 Pāsarāsisutta#^6th-jhana]] #### 7th Jhāna (Nothingness) ![[MN26 Pāsarāsisutta#^7th-jhana]] #### 8th Jhāna (Neither Perception Nor Non-perception) ![[MN26 Pāsarāsisutta#^8th-jhana]] ##### There is still stress even in the 8th Jhana ![[MN121 Cūḷasuññatasutta#^8th-jhana-stress]] ##### 8th Jhāna is the Best thing to Grasp :) ![[Anenja#^best-thing-to-grasp]] ### 9th Jhāna (Cessation of [[Sanna|Perception]] and [[Vedana|Feeling]]) ![[MN26 Pāsarāsisutta#^9th-jhana]] ### Experiences > [!info] > - Great video on the experience of 5-9th Jhana: [[(2022-08-13) Meditation to understand the senses (on MN137)#^5th-jhana]] ## Avoid Wrong Practices ### Establish "Firmly", instead of Rushing to the next Jhana > [!warning] Establish firmly, instead of rushing to next Jhāna ([AN9.35](https://suttacentral.net/an9.35/en/sujato)) > They think, > _Tassa evaṁ hoti:_ > > ‘Why don’t I, as the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, enter and remain in the **second absorption**, which has the rapture and bliss born of immersion, with internal clarity and mind at one, without placing the mind and keeping it connected.’ > > _‘yannūnāhaṁ vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ cetaso ekodibhāvaṁ avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhijaṁ pītisukhaṁ dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja vihareyyan’ti._ > > **==Without charging== at the second absorption**, **as the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are ==stilled==**, they enter and remain in the second absorption. > > _So **dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ ==anabhihiṁsamāno==** **vitakkavicārānaṁ ==vūpasamā==** … dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati._ > > They **cultivate, develop, and make much of that foundation**, ensuring that it’s **==properly stabilized==**. > _So taṁ nimittaṁ āsevati bhāveti bahulīkaroti **==svādhiṭṭhitaṁ adhiṭṭhāti==**._ ### Jhāna with Suppressions is NOT praised by Buddha > [!warning] [[Jhana|Jhāna]] with **Suppressed Hindrance** are NOT Praised by the Buddha! — In Gopakamoggallānasutta ([MN108](https://suttacentral.net/mn108/en/sujato)) > “No, brahmin, the Buddha did not praise all kinds of meditation, nor did he dispraise all kinds of meditation. > _“Na ca kho, brāhmaṇa, so bhagavā sabbaṁ jhānaṁ vaṇṇesi, napi so bhagavā sabbaṁ jhānaṁ na vaṇṇesīti._ > > And what kind of meditation did he **==not praise==**? > _Kathaṁ rūpañca, brāhmaṇa, so bhagavā jhānaṁ **na vaṇṇesi**?_ > > It’s when someone’s heart is overcome and mired in sensual desire, and **==they don’t truly understand the escape from sensual desire== that has arisen**. > _Idha, brāhmaṇa, ekacco kāmarāgapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati kāmarāgaparetena, uppannassa ca kāmarāgassa nissaraṇaṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti;_ > > **==Hiding sensual desire within==**, they meditate and concentrate and contemplate and ruminate. > _so kāmarāgaṁyeva antaraṁ karitvā jhāyati pajjhāyati nijjhāyati apajjhāyati._ > > Their heart is overcome and mired in **==ill will==** … > _Byāpādapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati byāpādaparetena, uppannassa ca byāpādassa nissaraṇaṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti; so byāpādaṁyeva antaraṁ karitvā jhāyati pajjhāyati nijjhāyati apajjhāyati._ > > dullness and **==drowsiness==** … > _Thinamiddhapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati thinamiddhaparetena, uppannassa ca thinamiddhassa nissaraṇaṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti; so thinamiddhaṁyeva antaraṁ karitvā jhāyati pajjhāyati nijjhāyati apajjhāyati._ > > restlessness and **==remorse==** … > _Uddhaccakukkuccapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati uddhaccakukkuccaparetena, uppannassa ca uddhaccakukkuccassa nissaraṇaṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti; so uddhaccakukkuccaṁyeva antaraṁ karitvā jhāyati pajjhāyati nijjhāyati apajjhāyati._ > > **==doubt==**, and they don’t truly know and see the escape from doubt that has arisen. > _Vicikicchāpariyuṭṭhitena cetasā viharati vicikicchāparetena, uppannāya ca vicikicchāya nissaraṇaṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti;_ > > Hiding doubt within, they meditate and concentrate and contemplate and ruminate. > _so vicikicchaṁyeva antaraṁ karitvā jhāyati pajjhāyati nijjhāyati apajjhāyati._ > > The Buddha didn’t praise this kind of meditation. > _Evarūpaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, so bhagavā jhānaṁ na vaṇṇesi._ ## [[Etam Santam|Etaṁ Santaṁ Etaṁ Paṇītaṁ ...]] A good way to reflect on Dhamma (Dhamma vicaya) is using the following verse mentioned in Jhānasutta: ![[AN9.36 Jhānasutta#^etam-santam]] ![[Etam Santam#^vilas-translation]] ## Steps-by-step: How to enter into Jhāna? 1. Sit in a posture where the body (spine) is erect. 2. First, recite then reflect on the meanings of [[Vandana]] for Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha. - Or just do *[[Vandana#Reverence to the Buddha|Namo tassa ...]]* 3 time and then *[[Vandana#Going for Refuge|Buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ ...]]*, if there is no doubts. 3. (~15 minutes) Recite the precepts on [[Sila#10 Immoral Deeds Dasa akusala -- Critical for jhana|dasa akusala]], then contemplate on its meanings. This helps one to abstain from the 10 immoral deeds in the mind and establish [[Sila|sīla]]. 4. Check if the breath is balanced between the 2 nostrils (they should get equal amount of air), which means the body is balanced and ready for meditation. If not, practice the [[(2022-07-30) Vilas on how to do Yoga breathing to remove restlessness AND drowsiness|Yoga breathing practice]] to balance the breaths. 5. (~15 minutes) Reflect on the [[Nivarana|5 hindrances]] (or [[{Vilas Blog} Practical Anapanassatikatha#1 & 2. EIGHT Obstacles & EIGHT Solution|8 obstacles]]) and apply methods to remove them accordingly. 6. Then, recite some [[Gatha]] (e.g. [[#Etaṁ santaṁ]] for 7 times, or simple *Namo tassa ...*). This helps condition the mind and removes all worldly thoughts. (See how properly recite a Gatha [[Gatha#^proper-attention|here]]) 7. (15 - 30 minutes) Watch the breath - Just watch the *rising and falling* of the breath like a *3rd person*, without trying to control the breath. (See [[Anapanassati|Ānāpānassati]]) 8. By this point, one should be in at least the 1st or 2nd jhana. And can get into 3rd jhana easily too. ## Videos - **(Best)** (2025-05-02) How to enter into Jhānas? ([Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUyrXHKYZag)) #vilas/teaching/wonderful - **(Best)** How to attain Nirodha samapatti? ([Youtube](https://youtu.be/8Z2ISMJXgVs?si=V8InMaalnZ16TOcx)) - All about **7-9th Jhana** :) - [[(2023-02-03) All about Jhanas and how to achieve it]] - **(Best)** (2023-07-09) How to get into Jhāna ([Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzAIRKVKmzg)) ## Suttas - Methodology Overview - [[AN4.170 Yuganaddhasutta]] ([link](https://suttacentral.net/an4.170/en/sujato)) - "In conjunction" -- talked about 4 methods of attainment w/ the combination of [[Samatha]] and [[Vipassana|Vipassanā]]. ^473d2b - [[AN10.54 Samathasutta]] - Why Jhana - AN9.34 Nibbānasukhasutta ([link](https://suttacentral.net/an9.34/en/sujato)) - How jhanas are better than sense pleasures, and how lower levels of jhanas will be seen as a pain as one goes deeper. - Mentioned what is Kamaguna (sense stimulations) -- sight, sound, ... being likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. - SN36.19 Pañcakaṅgasutta ([[notes]], [link](https://suttacentral.net/sn36.19/en/sujato)) ^sn36-19 - Similar to SN9.34 Nibbānasukhasutta, where Buddha explained how jhanas are superior to sense pleasures, and how deeper jhanas are superior to lower jhanas. - Also mentioned that there are 2, 3, ..., 108 types of feelings -- a key lesson on how the teaching should be understood **with context** and not literally. - [[MN64 Mahāmālukyasutta]] - Jhanas can be used as a foundation for Vipassana and give up 5 lower fetters - DN29 Pāsādikasutta ([link](https://suttacentral.net/dn29/en/sujato)) - Chapter 9 and 10 shows that Jhana leads to attaining the [[Magga Phala|4 Fruits]] - Overview - [[SN36.31 Nirāmisasutta]] - How 5 qualities of Jhana works. - How-to - [[AN9.36 Jhānasutta]] - AN9.35 Gāvīupamāsutta (The Simile of the Cow) ([link](https://suttacentral.net/an9.35/en/sujato)) #simile/buddha - How one should be well "established" and "stabilized", before one attempts the next Jhana - One of the most important sutta on how to gradually cultivate the Jhanas, withouth "rushing" towards them. - And after experiencing all the Jhanas, one can develop insights, psychic powers, observing the mind of others - MN111 Anupadasutta ([link](https://suttacentral.net/mn111/en/sujato)) - Buddha described how [[Sariputta|Sāriputta]] practices all the Jhanas (similar to in Ānāpānassatikathā) - MN106 Āneñjasappāyasutta ([link](https://suttacentral.net/mn106/en/sujato)) - Buddha explained how to attain Jhanas progressively (jhana -> 7th jhana -> 8th jhana), and eventually full liberation - Progress of 1st - 9th Jhana - AN9.41 Tapussasutta ([link](https://suttacentral.net/an9.41/en/sujato)) - SN40.1 Tatiyajhānapañhāsutta ([link](https://suttacentral.net/sn40.1/en/sujato)) - SN40.1 - SN40.9 Animittapañhāsutta ([link](https://suttacentral.net/sn40.9/en/sujato)) - Moggallāna describing 1-9th Jhana and how Buddha assisted him using Supernatural powers #buddha/iddhi - Sunnata - [[MN121 Cūḷasuññatasutta]] ([link](https://suttacentral.net/mn121/en/sujato), [notes](evernote:///view/376587/s5/4d6b59df-0558-7c08-a4fe-e4dd0a827a10/ae04f09e-defa-4ae5-8bea-dcef27a08bd5), [[chat|chat]]) - Fruit - AN4.123 Paṭhamanānākaraṇasutta ([link](https://suttacentral.net/an4.123/en/sujato)) - Buddha on how even Puthujjana can attain all 4 jhanas, and what's their respective lifespan - AN3.116 Āneñjasutta ([link](https://suttacentral.net/an3.116/en/sujato)) - Lifespan of 5th, 6th, 7th Jhana realms :) - 5th jhana — 20,000 Eons, 6th jhana — 40,000 Eons, 7th jhana — 60,000 Eons, 8th jhana — 60,000 Eons - Abhidhamma - [[Vb12 Jhānavibhaṅgo]] ([link](https://suttacentral.net/vb12/pli/ms))