alaber
August 29, 2017, 6:46am
1
When it comes to the four jhanas there are many suttas that describe them in details; their parameters, the similes, how to practice them (e.g. removal of the hindrances, etc), what they are good for, etc. (see for example AN 5.28).
Are there suttas that present the four attainments (later on called arupa jhanas) in a similar fashion?
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alaber
August 30, 2017, 10:40am
2
Just found a one year old post that answers my question. There are reference to MN 121 and MN 106.
My understanding is that Buddha learned Arupavacara Jhana from his teachers and
Buddha discovered Rupavacar Jhana.
I also understand that Arupavacara Jhana is a projection from fourth Jhana.
Am I correct?
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Matt
August 30, 2017, 4:20pm
3
4 brahmavihÄras leading to 4 ÄyataÂnaÂs:
SN46.54
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alaber
August 30, 2017, 11:33pm
4
Matt:
ÄyataÂnaÂs
Thanks Matt. Whatâs ÄyataÂnaÂs ?
What the pali word for the four attainments ?
The way I understand Ayatana is a place where you can have a re-birth.
The attainment is a mind created state.
I may be wrong.
Matt
August 31, 2017, 1:28am
6
Youâre welcome. Äyatana is usually translated as sphere or base, @Gabriel has made a few threads that may be relevant:
Is there a clear sutta-based difference between Äyatana and indriya?
Both donât really mean sense-organs but are broader in scope
Äyatana
has very vague translations - base, stretch, sphere. It appears in the dependent origination, but also in the arupas, e.g. âbase of nothingnessâ
indriya
translated as âfacultyâ is equally vague. We have it in âsense restraintâ, but also the âspiritual facultiesâ (i.e. faith, energy, sati, samadhi, pañña)
If they are synonyms, could we say âayatana-restraâŠ
Like some other terms essential for the understanding of the EBT Äyatana has not received its due attention, often translated as the inaccessible âbaseâ I would like to highlight in which conceptual contexts it appears.
Äyatana in Vedic/Sanskrit sources
Monier-Williams translates Äyatana as a
resting-place, support, seat, place, home, house, abode, a sanctuary, a barn
Jan Gonda provides an exhaustive source collection of Äyatana in Indian sources (Gonda (1975): Selected Studies, Volume IIâŠ
On the other hand, what is usually translated as âattainmentâ is the PÄáž·i word, samÄpatti.
Thatâs about as far as I can go, youâd have to ask someone more knowledgeable what the differences are.
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