In
this chapter we will survey the higher states of jhāna. First we will discuss
the remaining three jhānas of the fine-material sphere, using the descriptive
formulas of the suttas as our starting point and the later literature as our
source for the methods of practice that lead to these attainments. Following
this we will consider the four meditative states that pertain to the
immaterial sphere, which come to be called the immaterial jhānas. Our
examination will bring out the dynamic character of the process by which the
jhānas are successively achieved. The attainment of the higher jhānas of the
fine-material sphere, we will see, involves the successive elimination of the
grosser factors and the bringing to prominence of the subtler ones, the
attainment of the formless jhānas the replacement of grosser objects with
successively more refined objects. From our study it will become clear that
the jhānas link together in a graded sequence of development in which the
lower serves as basis for the higher and the higher intensifies and purifies
states already present in the lower. We will end the chapter with a brief look
at the connection between the jhānas and the Buddhist teaching of rebirth.
The
formula for the attainment of the second jhāna runs as follows:
With
the subsiding of applied thought and sustained thought he enters and dwells in
the second jhāna, which has internal confidence and unification of mind, is
without applied thought and sustained thought, and is filled with rapture and
happiness born of concentration [M.i,181; Vbh.245]
The
second jhāna, like the first, is attained by eliminating the factors to be
abandoned and by developing the factors of possession. In this case, however,
the factors to be abandoned are the two initial factors of the first jhāna
itself, applied thought and sustained thought; the factors of possession are
the three remaining jhāna factors, rapture, happiness and one-pointedness.
Hence the formula begins „with the subsiding of applied thought and
sustained thought,“ and then mentions the jhāna’s positive endowments.
After
achieving the five kinds of mastery over the first jhāna, a meditator who
wishes to reach the second jhāna should enter the first jhāna and
contemplate its defects. These are twofold: one, which might be called the
defect of proximate corruption, is the nearness of the five hindrances,
against which the first jhāna provides only a relatively mild safeguard; the
other defect, inherent to the first jhāna, is its inclusion of applied and
sustained thought, which now appear as gross, even as impediments needing to
be eliminated to attain the more peaceful and subtle second jhāna.
By
reflecting upon the second jhāna as more tranquil and sublime than the first,
the meditator ends his attachment to the first jhāna and engages in renewed
striving with the aim of reaching the higher stage. He directs his mind to his
meditation subject - which must be one capable of inducing the higher jhānas
such as a kasina or the breath - and resolves to overcome applied and
sustained thought. When his practice comes to maturity the two kinds of
thought subside and the second jhāna arises. In the second jhāna only three
of the original five jhāna factors remain - rapture happiness and
one-pointedness. Moreover, with the elimination of the two grosser factors
these have acquired a subtler and more peaceful tone.[1]
Besides
the main jhāna factors, the canonical formula includes several other states
in its description of the second jhāna. „Internal confidence“ (ajjhattamsampasādanam), conveys the twofold meaning of faith and
tranquillity. In the first jhāna the meditator’s faith lacked full clarity
and serenity due to „the disturbance created by applied and sustained
thought, like water ruffled by ripples and wavelets“ (Vism. 157; PP. 163).
But when applied and sustained thought subside, the mind becomes very peaceful
and the meditator’s faith acquires fuller confidence.
The
formula also mentions unification of mind (cetaso
ekodibhāvam), which is identified with one-pointedness or concentration.
Though present in the first jhāna, concentration only gains special mention
in connection with the second jhāna since it is here that it acquires
eminence. In the first jhāna concentration was still imperfect, being subject
to the disturbing influence of applied and sustained thought. For the same
reason this jhāna, along with its constituent rapture and happiness, is said
to be born of concentration (samādhijam):
„It is only this concentration that is quite worthy to be called
‘concentration’ because of its complete confidence and extreme immobility
due to absence of disturbance by applied and sustained thought“ (Vism.158;
PP.164).
To
attain the third jhāna the meditator must use the same method he used to
ascend from the first jhāna to the second. He must master the second jhāna
in the five ways, enter and emerge from it, and reflect upon its defects.
‘In this case the defect of proximate corruption is the nearness of applied
and sustained thought, which threaten to disrupt the serenity of the second jhāna;
its inherent defect is the presence of rapture, which now appears as a gross
factor that should be discarded. Aware of the imperfections in the second jhāna,
the meditator cultivates indifference towards it and aspires instead for the
peace and sublimity of the third jhāna, towards the attainment of which he
now directs his efforts. When his practice matures he enters the third jhāna,
which has the two jhāna factors that remain when rapture disappears,
happiness and one-pointedness, and which the suttas describe as follows:
With
the fading away of rapture, he dwells in equanimity, mindful and discerning;
and he experiences in his own person that happiness of which the noble ones
say: ‘Happily lives he who is equanimous and mindful’ - thus he enters and
dwells in the third jhāna. [M.i,182; Vbh.245]
The
formula indicates that the third jhāna contains, besides its two defining
factors, three additional components not included among the jhāna factors:
equanimity, mindfulness and discernment. Equanimity is mentioned twice. The
Pali word for equanimity, upekkhā,
occurs in the texts with a wide range of meanings, the most important being
neutral feeling - that is, feeling which is neither painful nor pleasant - and
the mental quality of inner balance or equipoise called „specific
neutrality“ (tadamajjhattatā -
see Vism.161; PP.167). The equanimity referred to in the formula is a mode of
specific neutrality which belongs to the aggregate of mental formations (sankhārakkhandha) and thus should not be confused with equanimity
as neutral feeling. Though the two are often associated, each can exist
independently of the other, and in the third jhāna equanimity as specific
neutrality co-exists with happiness or pleasant feeling.
The
meditator in the third jhāna is also said to be mindful and discerning, which
points to another pair of frequently conjoined mental functions. Mindfulness (sati),
in this context, means the remembrance of the meditation object, the constant
bearing of the object in mind without allowing it to float away. Discernment (sampajañña) is an aspect of wisdom or understanding which
scrutinises the object and grasps its nature free from delusion. Though these
two factors were already present even in the first two jhānas, they are first
mentioned only in connection with the third since it is here that their
efficacy becomes manifest. The two are needed particularly to avoid a return
to rapture. Just as a suckling calf, removed from its mother and left
unguarded, again approaches the mother, so the happiness of jhāna tends to
veer towards rapture, its natural partner, if unguarded by mindfulness and
discernment (Dhs.A.219). To prevent this and the consequent loss of the third
jhāna is the task of mindfulness and discernment.
The
attainment of the fourth jhāna commences with the aforesaid procedure. In
this case the meditator sees that the third jhāna is threatened by the
proximity of rapture, which is ever ready to swell up again due to its natural
affinity with happiness; he also sees that it is inherently defective to the
presence of happiness, a gross factor which provides fuel for clinging. He
then contemplates the state where equanimous feeling and one-pointedness
subsist together - the fourth jhāna - as far more peaceful and secure than
anything he has so far experienced, and therefore as far more desirable.
Taking as his object the same counterpart sign he took for the earlier jhāna,
he strengthens his efforts in concentration for the purpose of abandoning the
gross factor of happiness and entering the higher jhāna. When his practice
matures the mind enters absorption into the fourth jhāna:
With
the abandoning of pleasure and pain, and with the previous disappearance of
joy and grief, he enters and dwells in the fourth jhāna, which has
neither-pain-nor-pleasure and has purity of mindfulness due to equanimity.
[M.i,182; Vbh.245]
The
first part of this formula specifies the conditions for the attainment of this
jhāna - also called the neither-painful-nor-pleasant liberation of mind
(M.i,296) - to be the abandoning of four kinds of feeling incompatible with
it, the first two signifying bodily feelings, the latter two the corresponding
mental feelings. The formula also introduces several new terms and phrases
which have not been encountered previously. First, it mentions a new feeling,
neither-pain-nor-pleasure (adukkhamasukha),
which remains after the other four feelings have subsided. This kind of
feeling, also called equanimous or neutral feeling, replaces happiness as the
concomitant feeling of the jhāna and also figures as one of the jhāna
factors. Thus this attainment has two jhāna factors: neutral feeling and
one-pointedness of mind. Previously the ascent from one jhāna to the next was
marked by the progressive elimination of the coarser jhāna factors, but none
were added to replace those which were excluded. But now, in the move from the
third to the fourth jhāna, a substitution occurs, neutral feeling moving in
to take the place of happiness.
In
addition we also find a new phrase composed of familiar terms, „purity of
mindfulness due to equanimity“ (upekkhāsatipārisuddhi).
The Vibhanga explains: „This mindfulness is cleared, purified, clarified by
equanimity“ (Vbh. 261), and Buddhaghosa adds: „For the mindfulness in this
jhāna is quite purified, and its purification is effected by equanimity, not
by anything else“ (Vism. 167; PP. 174). The equanimity which purifies the
mindfulness is not neutral feeling, as might be supposed, but specific
neutrality, the sublime impartiality free from attachment and aversion, which
also pertains to this jhāna. Though both specific neutrality and mindfulness
were present in the lower three jhānas, none among these is said to have
purity of mindfulness due to equanimity.“ The reason is that in the lower jhānas
the equanimity present was not purified itself, being overshadowed by opposing
states and lacking association with equanimous feeling. It is like a crescent
moon which exists by day but cannot be seen because of the sunlight and the
bright sky. But in the fourth jhāna, where equanimity gains the support of
equanimous feeling, it shines forth like the crescent moon at night and
purifies mindfulness and the other associated states (Vism. 169; PP. 175)
Beyond
the four jhānas lie four higher attainments in the scale of concentration,
referred to in the suttas as the „peaceful immaterial liberations
transcending material form“ (santā
vimokkhā atikammarūpe aruppā, M.i,33). In the commentaries they are
also called the immaterial jhānas, and while this expression is not found in
the suttas it seems appropriate in so far as these states correspond to jhānic
levels of consciousness and continue the same process of mental unification
initiated by the original four jhānas, now sometimes called the fine-material
jhānas. The immaterial jhānas are designated, not by numerical names like
their predecessors, but by the names of their objective spheres the base of
boundless space, the base of boundless consciousness, the base of nothingness,
and the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception.[2]
They receive the designation „immaterial“ or „formless“ (arūpa) because they are achieved by surmounting all perceptions of
material form, including the subtle form of the counterpart sign which served
as the object of the previous jhānas, and because they are the subjective
correlates of the immaterial planes of existence.
Like
the fine-material jhānas, the immaterial jhānas follow a fixed sequence and
must be attained in the order in which they are presented. That is, the
meditator who wishes to achieve the immaterial jhānas must begin with the
base of boundless space and then proceed step by step up to the base of
neither-perception-nor-non-perception. However, an important difference
separates the modes of progress in the two cases. In the case of the
fine-material jhānas, the ascent from one jhāna to another involves a
surmounting of jhāna factors. To rise from the first jhāna to the second the
meditator must eliminate applied thought and sustained thought, to rise from
the second to the third he must overcome rapture, and to rise from the third
to the fourth he must replace pleasant with neutral feeling. Thus progress
involves a reduction and refinement of the jhāna factors, from the initial
five to the culmination in one-pointedness and neutral feeling.
Once
the fourth jhāna is reached the jhāna factors remain constant, and in higher
ascent to the immaterial attainments there is no further elimination of jhāna
factors. For this reason the formless jhānas, when classified from the
perspective of their factorial constitution as is done in the Abhidhamma, are
considered modes of the fourth jhāna. They are all two-factored jhānas,
constituted by one-pointedness and equanimous feeling.
Rather
than being determined by a surmounting of factors, the order of the immaterial
jhānas is determined by a surmounting of objects. Whereas for the lower jhānas
the object can remain constant but the factors must be changed, for the
immaterial jhānas the factors remain constant while the objects change. The
base of boundless space eliminates the kasina object of the fourth jhāna, the
base of boundless consciousness surmounts the object of the base of boundless
space, the base of nothingness surmounts the object of the base of boundless
consciousness, and the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception surmounts
the object of the base of nothingness.
Because
the objects become progressively more subtle at each level, the jhāna factors
of equanimous feeling and one-pointedness, while remaining constant in nature
throughout, become correspondingly more refined in quality. Buddhaghosa
illustrates this with a simile of four pieces of cloth of the same
measurements, spun by the same person, yet made of thick, thin, thinner and
very thin thread respectively (Vism.339; PP.369). Also, whereas the four lower
jhānas can each take a variety of objects - the ten kasinas, the in-and-out
breath, etc. - and do not stand in any integral relation to these objects, the
four immaterial jhānas each take a single object inseparably related to the
attainment itself. The first is attained solely with the base of boundless
space as object, the second with the base of boundless consciousness, and so
forth.
The
motivation which initially leads a meditator to seek the immaterial
attainments is a clear recognition of the dangers inherent in material
existence: it is in virtue of matter that injuries and death by weapons and
knives occur, that one is afflicted with diseases, subject to hunger and
thirst, while none of this takes place on the immaterial planes of existence
(M.i,410). Wishing to escape these dangers by taking rebirth in the immaterial
planes, the meditator must first attain the four fine-material jhānas and
master the fourth jhāna with any kasina as object except the limited space
kasina. By this much the meditator has risen above gross matter, but he still
has not transcended the subtle material form comprised by the luminous
counterpart sign which is the object of his jhāna. To reach the formless
attainments the meditator, after emerging from the fourth jhāna, must
consider that even that jhāna, as refined as it is, still has an object
consisting in material form and thus is distantly connected with gross matter:
moreover, it is close to happiness, a factor of the third jhāna, and is far
coarser than the immaterial states. The meditator sees the base of boundless
space, the first immaterial jhāna, as more peaceful and sublime than the
fourth fine-material jhāna and as more safely removed from materiality.
Following
these preparatory reflections, the meditator enters the fourth jhāna based on
a kasina object and extends the counterpart sign of the kasina „to the limit
of the world-sphere, or as far as he likes.“ Then, after emerging from: the
fourth jhāna, he must remove the kasina by attending exclusively to the space
it has been made to cover without attending to the kasina itself. Taking as
his object the space left after the removal of the kasina, the meditator
adverts to it as „boundless space“ or simply as „space, space,“
striking at it with applied and sustained thought. As he cultivates this
practice over and over, eventually the consciousness pertaining to the base of
boundless space arises with boundless space as its object (Vism.327-28; pp
355-56).
A
meditator who has gained mastery over the base of boundless space, wishing to
attain as well the second immaterial jhāna, must reflect upon the two defects
of the first attainment which are its proximity to the fine-material jhānas
and its grossness compared to the base of boundless consciousness. Having in
this way developed indifference to the lower attainment, he must next enter
and emerge from the base of boundless space and then fix his attention upon
the consciousness that occurred there pervading the boundless space. Since the
space taken as the object by the first formless jhāna was boundless, the
consciousness of that space also involves an aspect of boundlessness, and it
is to this boundless consciousness that the aspirant for the next attainment
adverts. He is not to attend to it merely as boundless, but as „boundless
consciousness“ or simply as „consciousness.“ He continues to cultivate
this sign again and again until the consciousness belonging to the base of
boundless consciousness arises in absorption taking as its object the
boundless consciousness pertaining to the first immaterial state (Vism.331-32;
PP.360-61).
To
attain the next formless state, the base of nothingness, the meditator who has
mastered the base of boundless consciousness must contemplate its defects in
the same twofold manner and advert to the superior peacefulness of the base of
nothingness. Without giving any more attention to the base of boundless
consciousness, he should „give attention to the present non-existence,
voidness, secluded aspect of that same past consciousness belonging to the
base consisting of boundless space“ (Vism.333; PP.362). In other words, the
meditator is to focus upon the present absence or non-existence of the
consciousness belonging to the base of boundless space, adverting to it over
and over thus: „There is not, there is not“ or „void, void.“ When his
efforts fructify there arises in absorption a consciousness belonging to the
base of nothingness, with the non-existence of the consciousness of boundless
space as its object. Whereas the second immaterial state relates to the
consciousness of boundless space positively, by focusing upon the content of
that consciousness and appropriating its boundlessness, the third immaterial
state relates to it negatively, by excluding that consciousness from awareness
and making the absence or present non-existence of that consciousness its
object.
The
fourth and final immaterial jhāna, the base of
neither-perception-nor-non-perception, is reached through the same preliminary
procedure. The meditator can also reflect upon the unsatisfactoriness of
perception, thinking: „Perception is a disease, perception is a boil,
perception is a dart … This is peaceful, this is sublime, that is to say,
neither-perception-nor-non-perception“ (M.ii,231). In this way he ends his
attachment to the base of nothingness and strengthens his resolve to attain
the next higher stage. He then adverts to the four mental aggregates that
constitute the attainment of the base of nothingness - its feeling,
perception, mental formations and consciousness - contemplating them as
„peaceful, peaceful,“ reviewing that base and striking at it with applied
and sustained thought. As he does so the hindrances are suppressed, the mind
passes through access and enters the base of
neither-perception-nor-non-perception. This jhāna receives its name because,
on the one hand, it lacks gross perception with its function of clearly
discerning objects, and thus cannot be said to have perception; on the other.
it retains a very subtle perception, and thus cannot be said to be without
perception. Because all the mental functions are here reduced to the finest
and most subtle level, this jhāna is also named the attainment with residual
formations. At this level the mind has reached the highest possible
development in the direction of pure serenity. It has attained the most
intense degree of concentration, becoming so refined that consciousness can no
longer be described in terms of existence or non-existence. Yet even this
attainment, from the Buddhist point of view, is still a mundane state which
must finally give way to insight that alone leads to true liberation.
Buddhism
teaches that all sentient beings in whom ignorance and craving still linger
are subject to rebirth following death. Their mode of rebirth is determined by
their kamma, their volitional
action, wholesome kamma issuing in a good rebirth and unwholesome kamma in a
bad rebirth. As a kind of wholesome kamma the attainment of jhāna can play a
key role in the rebirth process, being considered a weighty good kamma which
takes precedence over other lesser kammas in determining the future rebirth of
the person who attains it.
Buddhist
cosmology groups the numerous planes of existence into which rebirth takes
place into three broad spheres each of which comprises a number of subsidiary
planes. The sense sphere (kāmadhātu)
is the field of rebirth for evil deeds and for meritorious deeds falling short
of the jhānas; the fine-material sphere (rūpadhātu),
the field of rebirth for the fine-material jhānas; and the immaterial sphere
(arūpadhātu), the field of rebirth
for the immaterial jhānas.
An
unwholesome kamma, should it become dcterminative of rebirth, will lead to a
new existence in one of the four planes of misery belonging to the sense
sphere: the hells, the animal kingdom, the sphere of afflicted spirits, or the
host of titans. A wholesome kamma of a subjhānic type produces rebirth in one
of the seven happy planes in the sense sphere, the human world or the six
heavenly worlds.
Above
the sense-sphere realms are the fine-material realms, into which rebirth is
gained only through the attainment of the fine-material jhānas. The sixteen
realms in this sphere are hierarchically ordered in correlation with the four
jhānas. Those who have practised the first jhāna to a minor degree are
reborn in the Realm of the Retinue of Brahmā, to a moderate degree in the
Realm of the Ministers of Brahma, and to a superior degree in the Realm of the
Great Brahma.[3]
Similarly, practising the second jhāna to a minor degree brings rebirth in
the Realm of Minor Lustre, to a moderate degree in the Realm of Infinite
Lustre, and to a superior degree in the Realm of Radiant Lustre.[4]
Again, practising the third jhāna to a minor degree brings rebirth in the
Realm of Minor Aura, to a moderate degree in the Realm of Infinite Aura, and
to a superior degree in the Realm of Steady Aura.[5]
Corresponding
to the fourth jhāna there are seven realms: the Realm of Great Reward, the
Realm of Non-percipient Beings, and the five Pure Abodes.[6]
With this jhāna the rebirth pattern deviates from the former one. It seems
that all beings who practise the fourth jhāna of the mundane level without
reaching any Supramundane attainment are reborn in the Realm of Great Reward.
There is no differentiation by way of inferior, moderate or superior grades of
development. The Realm of Non-percipient Beings is reached by those who, after
attaining the fourth jhāna, then use the power of their meditation to take
rebirth with only material bodies, they do not acquire consciousness again
until they pass away from this realm. The five Pure Abodes are open only to
non-returners (anāgāmis), noble
disciples at the penultimate stage of liberation who have eradicated the
fetters binding them to the sense sphere and thence automatically take rebirth
in higher realms, where they attain Arahatship and reach final deliverance.
Beyond
the fine-material sphere lie the immaterial realms, which are four in number -
the base of boundless space, the base of boundless consciousness, the base of
nothingness, and the base of neither-perception-nor-non perception. As should
be evident, these are realms of rebirth for those who, without having broken
the fetters that bind them to samara, achieve and master one or another of the
four immaterial jhānas. Those meditators who have mastery over a formless
attainment at the time of death take rebirth in the appropriate plane, where
they abide until the kammic force of the jhāna is exhausted. Then they pass
away, to take rebirth in some other realm as determined by their accumulated
kamma.[7]
[1]Based on the distinction between applied and sustained thought, the Abhidhamma presents a fivefold division of the jhānas obtained by recognizing the sequential rather than simultaneous elimination of the two kinds of thought. On this account a meditator of duller faculties eliminates applied thought first and attains a second jhāna with four factors including sustained thought, and a third jhāna identical with the second jhāna of the fourfold scheme. In contrast a meditator of sharp faculties comprehends quickly the defects of both applied and sustained thought and so eliminates them both at once.
[2]ākāsānañcāyatana. viññānañcāyatana, ākiñcaññāyatana, nevasaññanā saññāyatana.
[3]Brahmapārisajja brahmapurohita, mahā brahmā.
[4]Parttāhha, appamānābha, ābhassara.
[5]Parirrasuhha, appamānasubha, subhakinha.
[6]Vehapphala asaññasatta suddhāvasa.
[7]A good summary of Buddhist cosmology and of the connection between kamma and planes of rebirth can be found in Nārada, A Manual of Abhidhamma, pp.233-55.