I don’t know which text is earlier, KN Pe, or Ab Vb, but here are the interesting things I noticed. Kn Pe seems to agree 100% with a straightforward of EBT first jhana V&V.
What’s interesting is Ab Vb also agrees, but adds a couple of things:
appanā byappanā
fixation, focussing,
But the other items on the Ab Vb list, especially samma sankappo agreees with KN Pe.
So here’s what’s really interesting, in Vism., for the meditation topics that can get you into first jhana, AFAIK none of them take the broader interpretation of their own Abhidhamma definition of V&V! They all are using a kasina based samatha kung fu, fixity and focussing.
Vimt. on the other hand, in their jhana section they follow the KN Pe definition. But since the jhana is under earth kasina, it’s hard to tell if it’s using the full range of V&V there. Certainly under 16 APS (anapana) V&V would evaluate the breath using the non-fixity aspects of vicara.
KN Pe: Peṭakopadesa 7.72, 1st jhāna commentary
♦ tattha a-lobhassa pāripūriyā nekkhamma-vitakkaṃ vitakketi. |
Here, for non-greed fulfillment, renunciation-thoughts (he) thinks. |
tattha a-dosassa pāripūriyā abyāpāda-vitakkaṃ vitakketi. |
for non-hatred fulfillment, renunciation-thoughts (he) thinks. |
tattha a-mohassa pāripūriyā avihiṃsā-vitakkaṃ vitakketi. |
for non-delusion fulfillment, renunciation-thoughts (he) thinks. |
tattha a-lobhassa pāripūriyā vivitto hoti kāmehi. |
“Here, for fulfilling non-passion he is secluded from sensual pleasures. |
tattha a-dosassa pāripūriyā |
Here, for fulfilling non-aggression and |
a-mohassa pāripūriyā ca vivitto hoti pāpakehi akusalehi dhammehi, |
fulfilling non-delusion he is secluded from unskillful phenomena. |
savitakkaṃ savicāraṃ vivekajaṃ pītisukhaṃ |
And so he enters and remains in the first jhāna, |
paṭhamaṃ jhānaṃ upasampajja viharati. |
which includes directed thought and evaluation, as well as joy and pleasure born of seclusion. |
♦ vitakkāti tayo vitakkā — |
Directed thought: There are three kinds of directed thought, namely |
nekkhammavitakko |
the thought of renunciation, |
abyāpādavitakko |
the thought of non-aversion, |
avihiṃsāvitakko. |
and the thought of harmlessness. |
tattha paṭham-ābhinipāto vitakko, |
Here, directed thought is the first instance |
paṭiladdhassa vicaraṇaṃ vicāro. |
while evaluation is the evaluation of what is thereby received. |
yathā puriso dūrato purisaṃ passati āgacchantaṃ, |
Just as when a man sees someone approaching in the distance |
na ca tāva jānāti eso itthīti vā purisoti vā |
he does not yet know whether it is a woman or a man, |
yadā tu paṭilabhati itthīti vā purisoti vā |
but when he has received [the apperception] that “it is a woman” or “it is a man” or |
evaṃ vaṇṇoti vā evaṃ saṇṭhānoti vā |
that “it is of such color” or that “it is one of such shape,” |
ime vitakkayanto uttari upaparikkhanti |
then when he has thought this he further scrutinizes, |
kiṃ nu kho ayaṃ sīlavā udāhu dussīlo |
“How then, is he ethical or unethical, |
aḍḍho vā duggatoti vā. |
rich or poor?” |
evaṃ vicāro |
This is examination. |
vitakke appeti, |
With directed thought he fixes. |
vicāro cariyati ca anuvattati ca. |
With examination he moves about and turns over [what has been thought].” |
Abhdhamma Vibhanga 12, V&V in jhānas
first jhāna V&V, (J2 same def)
♦ 565. “savitakkaṃ savicāran”ti |
“Accompanied by initial application, accompanied by sustained application” means: |
atthi vitakko, atthi vicāro. |
There is initial application; there is sustained application. |
♦ tattha katamo vitakko? |
Therein what is initial application? |
yo takko vitakko saṅkappo |
That which is mentation, thinking, thought, |
appanā byappanā |
fixation, focussing, |
cetaso abhiniropanā sammāsaṅkappo — |
application of the mind, right thought. |
ayaṃ vuccati “vitakko”. |
This is called initial application. |
♦ tattha katamo vicāro? |
Therein what is sustained application? |
yo cāro vicāro anuvicāro upavicāro |
That which is searching, examining, constant examining, |
cittassa anusandhanatā anupekkhanatā — |
scrutinizing, constant connection of (and) constant inspection by consciousness. |
ayaṃ vuccati vicāro. |
This is called sustained application. |