Jhāna

(P.). A P€li term derived from the Sanskrit dhyana, or meditation. In Buddhism, the various jh€nas (or “absorptions) are different attainments in meditation that a practitioner achieves. They are important concepts in Buddhism, but scholars and practitioners do not agree on whether or not they are necessary in the attainment of nirvšïa, the ultimate aim in Buddhism.

The jh€nas are divided into two general categories: meditation on objects with form (r™pa-jh€nas) and meditation on non-material concepts without form (ar™pa- jh€nas). Before one can attain these jh€na states, however, the meditator must have first conquered the five hindrances which are desire, ill-will, sloth, restlessness and doubt. R™pa-Jh€nas. These are four jh€na stages characterized by one-pointed absorption upon objects or forms (r™pa). The differences among the four r™pa-jh€nas involve the presence or absence of four mental factors. In the first jh€na, all the four are present, namely, initial thought (vitakka), sustained thought (vic€ra), delight or rapture (p…ti), and joy (sukha). The difference between vitakka and vic€ra was explained by the noted 5th century commentator Buddhaghosa in a series of analogies. Vitakka is like a bird flapping its wings as it rises to the air, while vic€ra is likened to the same bird gliding gracefully with just outspread wings. In the second jh€na, only rapture and joy are present. In the third only joy remains, while in the fourth all the four disappear. What remains in the fourth jh€na is equanimity (uppekha) and one-pointedness (ekaggat€), the latter of which is a constant quality of all the four jh€nas. The r™pa jh€nas are discussed in several P€li scriptures such as Anguttara (V.28) and Majjhima Nikaya (43). These jh€nas have been compared to the samprajnata samadhi in the Yoga Sutras of Patañjali (I:17). Under the latter system, the meditator also undergoes four stages, namely, vitarka (reasoning), vic€ra (reflection), ananda (bliss) and asmita (sense of pure being). Ar™pa-Jh€nas. These states involve the presence of abstract conceptions that have also four stages. The first one consists of a state of mind that dwells on infinite space; the second is on infinite consciousness; the third on nothingness; and the fourth on neither perception nor non-perception. These states are discussed in Visuddhimagga (Ch. 10). The jh€nas are also divided into mundane (lokiya) and supra-mundane (lokuttara) jh€nas. The former are the eight r™pa and ar™pa jh€nas enumerated above, whereas the supramundane jh€nas are states of enlightenment, connected with the four levels of initiation in Buddhism that ends in Arhatship. V.H.C.