Dhyana: Encyclopedia II - Dhyana - Dhyāna in Buddhism

Dhyana - Dhyāna in Buddhism

In the Pali Canon the Buddha describes eight progressive states of absorption meditation or Jhana. The first four are connected to the physical realm and the last four only with the mental realm (i.e. there is no experience of the body in the four higher Jhanas). It must be noted that these states are not the final goal that the Buddha taught since they are all still in the field of mind and matter. The final goal of Nibbana (Sanskrit:Nirvana) is the experience beyond mind and matter.

In East Asia, several schools of Buddhism were founded that focused on dhyana, under the names Chan, Zen, and Seon. According to tradition, Bodhidharma brought Dhyana to the Shaolin temple in China, through Tibet, where it came to be known first as chan, and then zen.

Jhanas are normally described by the way of the mental factors which are present in these states

1. Initial application Vitakka
2. Sustained application Vicara
3. Joy Piti
4. Happiness Sukkha
5. One-pointedness Ekaggata

• First Jhana : Vitakka, Vicara, Piti, Sukkha, Ekaggata
  

As the meditator reaches this first Jhana, he can meditate without being disturbed by any thought or desire, though thoughts are still there.

• Second Jhana : Piti, Sukkha,Ekaggata
  

All intellectual processes cease. There is only rapture, happiness, and the object.

• Third Jhana : Sukkha, Ekaggata
  

Joy disappears.

• Fourth Jhana : Upekkha, Ekaggata
  

Even happiness disappears, leading to a state with neither pleasure nor suffering. The Buddha described the Jhanas as "the footsteps of the tathagata".
Traditionally, this fourth Jhana is seen as the beginning of attaining psycic powers.

These four are rupajhanas, material jhanas. An additional four arupajhanas still consist in the two factors of Upekkha and Ekaggata.
Arupajhanas are non-material jhanas and are described by their mental object :

• Fifth Jhana : infinite space
  
• Sixth Jhana : infinite consciousness
  
• Seventh Jhana : nothingness
  
• Eighth Jhana : neither perception nor non-perception
  

Usually Jhanas are exposed as part of Samatha's practice, as opposed to Vipassana. But Vipassana jhanas are also mentioned. When the awareness of the arising and passing of physical sensations is maintained during the first four Jhanas they are Vipassana Jhanas.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Dhyāna in Buddhism", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki