Synopsis
What all of these suttas have in common, AN 5.26, AN 8.63, SN 46.3, SN 47.10, SN 54.13,
they all involve the 7sb awakening factor sequence, and how vitakka and vicara (V&V) play a critical role in choosing the meditation subject, lead to pamojja and pÄ«ti, and the four jhÄnas (equivalent to the awakening factor of samadhi-sambojjhanga).
First, I present excerpts of my translation of relevant passages from those suttas, showing consistent and coherent behavior when V&V (vitakka and vicara, thinking and evaluation) is translated and interpreted the same way in all of those passages.
Next, we revisit the same excerpts with B. Sujato's inconsistent interpretation of V&V. All passages have vitakka and vicara highlighted in yellow so you can quickly see where B. Sujato can't make up his mind on how to interpret V&V. This does not bode well for his reinterpretation of jhÄna, vitakka, vicÄra. If you're trying to convince the world that Vism. has the proper understanding of jhÄna, overriding the EBT (early buddhist texts) and a straight forward common sense interpretation of the pali suttas, then you better be consistent in your translation and interpretation in the suttas. If you aren't, then it's basically admitting you lack conviction and evidence in your own thesis.
If you feel overwhelmed by the detailed pali auditing of too many suttas, then focus on just these two, SN 47.10 and AN 5.26, because they are describing the exact same situation of using V&V to select on inspiring meditation topic and arouse joy leading to samadhi (first jhana and jhana 1.5), compared to getting into 4 jhanas without V&V. B. Sujato glaringly contradicts himself in his interpretation and translation of V&V in those two suttas.
We're focusing on North American meaning of "waffling" for this article
waf·fle
/ĖwƤfÉl/
INFORMAL
verb
gerund or present participle: waffling
1.
NORTH AMERICAN
fail to make up one's mind.
"Joseph had been waffling over where to go"
"Bhikkhu Sujato couldn't decide whether vitakka means 'thinking' or 'placing the mind'."
2.
BRITISH
speak or write, especially at great length, without saying anything important or useful.
"he waffled on about everything that didn't matter"
Frankk translation, V&V consistently and coherently vitakka = directed thought, vicÄra = evaluation
SN 46.3
(1. š Sati: taį¹ Dhammaį¹ anus-sarati anu-vitakketi)
So tathÄ vÅ«pakaį¹į¹ho viharanto | He, thus withdrawn, dwelling, |
taį¹ dhammaį¹ anus-sarati anu-vitakketi, | that Dhamma-[teaching] (he) repeatedly-recollects (and) repeatedly-thinks-over, |
. Yasmiį¹ samaye, bhikkhave, bhikkhu | . On-the occasion, monks, a-monk |
tathÄ vÅ«pakaį¹į¹ho viharanto | thus withdrawn, dwelling, |
taį¹ dhammaį¹ anus-sarati anu-vitakketi, | that Dhamma-[teaching] (he) repeatedly-recollects (and) repeatedly-thinks-over, |
sati-sam-bojjh-aį¹
go tasmiį¹ samaye | remembrance-awakening-factor on-that occasion |
bhikkhuno Äraddho hoti; | (the) monk has-aroused; |
sati-sam-bojjh-aį¹
gaį¹ tasmiį¹ samaye | remembrance-awakening-factor on-that occasion |
bhikkhu bhÄveti; | (the) monk develops; |
sati-sam-bojjh-aį¹
go tasmiį¹ samaye | remembrance-awakening-factor on-that occasion |
bhikkhuno bhÄvanÄ-pÄripÅ«riį¹ gacchati. | (the) monk has-developed-(and)-fulfilled *******. |
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(2. š Dhamma-vicaya: taį¹ dhammaį¹ paƱƱÄya, pa-vicinati pa-vicarati pari-vÄ«maį¹sam-Äpajjati )
So tathÄ sato viharanto | He, {dwelling as} a rememberer, |
taį¹ dhammaį¹ paƱƱÄya | that Dhamma-[teaching] (with) discernment, |
pa-vicinati pa-vicarati | (he) discriminates, (he) evaluates, |
pari-vÄ«maį¹sam-Äpajjati. | circumspect-investigation-(he)-enters-upon. |
. Yasmiį¹ samaye, bhikkhave, bhikkhu | . On-the occasion, monks, a-monk |
tathÄ sato viharanto | Dwelling as a rememberer, |
taį¹ dhammaį¹ paƱƱÄya | that Dhamma-[teaching] (with) discernment, |
pa-vicinati pa-vicarati | (he) discriminates, (he) evaluates, |
pari-vÄ«maį¹sam-Äpajjati. | circumspect-investigation-(he)-enters-upon. |
Dhamma-vicaya-sam-bojjh-aį¹
go tasmiį¹ samaye | Dhamma-investigation-awakening-factor on-that occasion |
bhikkhuno Äraddho hoti; | (the) monk has-aroused; |
Dhamma-vicaya-sam-bojjh-aį¹
gaį¹ tasmiį¹ samaye | Dhamma-investigation-awakening-factor on-that occasion |
bhikkhu bhÄveti; | (the) monk develops; |
Dhamma-vicaya-sam-bojjh-aį¹
go tasmiį¹ samaye | Dhamma-investigation-awakening-factor on-that occasion |
bhikkhuno bhÄvanÄ-pÄripÅ«riį¹ gacchati. | (the) monk has-developed-(and)-fulfilled *******. |
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SN 47.10 bhikkhun-upassaya
(7sb bodhi-anga derived sequence)
ten'-Änanda, bhikkhunÄ | then-******** (that) monk, |
kismiƱcideva pasÄdanÄ«ye nimitte | (towards) some inspiring sign. |
cittaį¹ paį¹idahitabbaį¹. | (his) mind (he) should-direct. |
tassa kismiƱcideva pasÄdanÄ«ye nimitte | while (towards) some inspiring sign |
cittaį¹ paį¹idahato | (his) mind (is) directed (at), |
pÄmojjaį¹ jÄyati. | virtuous-mirth (is) born. |
(7sb → 4. š) pa-muditassa pÄ«ti jÄyati, | (7sb → 4. š) (For one with) virtuous-mirth rapture (is) born. |
(7sb → 5. š) pÄ«ti-manassa kÄyo passambhati, | (7sb → 5. š) (with) en-raptured-mind (the) body (is) pacified. |
(7sb → 5.5 š) passaddha-kÄyo sukhaį¹ vedeti, | (7sb → 5.5 š) (with) pacified-body, {they experience} pleasure. |
(7sb → 6. š) sukhino cittaį¹ samÄdhiyati. | (7sb → 6. š) (For one in) pleasure, (the) mind becomes undistractible-&-lucid. |
(no more need for V&V, passed from first to second jhÄna)
so iti paį¹isaƱcikkhati — | He then reflects: |
‘yassa khvÄhaį¹ atthÄya | ‘The purpose (for the) sake (of which) |
cittaį¹ paį¹idahiį¹, | (my) mind (was) directed, |
so me attho abhinipphanno. | that I have accomplished. |
handa, dÄni paį¹isaį¹harÄmÄ«’ti. | Let me now withdraw it.’ |
so paį¹isaį¹harati ceva | (So) he withdraws that (mind) |
na ca vitakketi na ca vicÄreti. | {and} doesn’t think {and} doesn’t examine. |
‘a-vitakkomhi a-vicÄro, | ‘Without-thought (and) without-examination, |
ajjhattaį¹ satimÄ sukham-asmÄ«’ti | internally mindful, happy-I (am). |
pajÄnÄti”. | (that, he) understands.” |
AN 5.26
(4) first jhÄna possible while thinking and pondering memorized dhamma
♦ “puna ca-paraį¹, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno | “Again, and-furthermore, |
na heva kho satthÄ dhammaį¹ deseti, | neither the Teacher teaches the monk, |
aƱƱataro vÄ garuį¹į¹hÄniyo sabrahmacÄrÄ«, | nor does a fellow monk [teach the monk], |
nÄpi | nor does he himself, as he |
yathÄ-sutaį¹ yathÄ-pariyattaį¹ dhammaį¹ | Has-heard (and) has-learned (the) dhamma |
vitthÄrena paresaį¹ deseti | (and in) detail (to) others (he) teaches, |
nÄpi | nor does he himself, as he |
yathÄ-sutaį¹ yathÄ-pariyattaį¹ dhammaį¹ | Has-heard (and) has-learned (the) dhamma |
vitthÄrena sajjhÄyaį¹ karoti | (and in) detail (he) recites (that) ******. |
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api ca kho | but instead he |
yathÄ-sutaį¹ yathÄ-pariyattaį¹ dhammaį¹ | Has-heard (and) has-learned (the) dhamma |
cetasÄ anu-vitakketi anu-vicÄreti | (and) mentally (he) ponders (and) examines |
Manas-Än-upekkhati | (and his mind) carefully-inspects (that) |
. | . |
yathÄ yathÄ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu | in whatever way, **********, the monk |
yathÄ-sutaį¹ yathÄ-pariyattaį¹ dhammaį¹ | Has-heard (and) has-learned (the) dhamma |
cetasÄ anu-vitakketi anu-vicÄreti | (and) mentally (he) ponders (and) examines |
Manas-Än-upekkhati | (and his mind) carefully-inspects (that) |
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(refrain: 7sb → jhÄna → arahantship)
tathÄ tathÄ so tasmiį¹ | like-that, accordingly, he ****** |
dhamme attha-paį¹isaį¹vedÄ« ca hoti | {feels [inspiration]} in Dhamma meaning and |
dhamma-paį¹isaį¹vedÄ« ca. | {feels [inspiration]} in Dhamma, |
tassa attha-paį¹isaį¹vedino dhamma-paį¹isaį¹vedino | as he {feels [inspiration] in} Dhamma-meaning (and) Dhamma, |
PÄ-mojjaį¹ jÄyati. | Virtuous-mirth arises. |
(7sb → 4. š) pa-muditassa pÄ«ti jÄyati, | (7sb → 4. š) (For one with) virtuous-mirth rapture (is) born. |
(7sb → 5. š) pÄ«ti-manassa kÄyo passambhati, | (7sb → 5. š) (with) en-raptured-mind (the) body (is) pacified. |
(7sb → 5.5 š) passaddha-kÄyo sukhaį¹ vedeti, | (7sb → 5.5 š) (with) pacified-body, {they experience} pleasure. |
(7sb → 6. š) sukhino cittaį¹ samÄdhiyati. | (7sb → 6. š) (For one in) pleasure, (the) mind becomes undistractible-&-lucid. |
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idaį¹, bhikkhave, catutthaį¹ vimutt-Äyatanaį¹ | This, monks, (is the) fourth liberation-basis, |
yattha bhikkhuno appamattassa | by means of which, if a monk {dwells} assiduous, |
ÄtÄpino pahitattassa viharato | ardent, resolute, ********, |
a-vimuttaį¹ vÄ cittaį¹ vimuccati, | (his) un-liberated ** mind (is) liberated, |
a-parik-khÄ«į¹Ä vÄ ÄsavÄ parik-khayaį¹ gacchanti, | un-destroyed ** asinine-inclinations, utterly-destroyed (they) become. |
An-anuppattaį¹ vÄ an-uttaraį¹ yogak-khemaį¹ | (the) un-reached un-surpassed security-from-the-yoke |
Anu-pÄpuį¹Äti. | (he) reaches.” |
(1. 4Bv #1: mettÄ me ceto-vimutti)
tato te,bhikkhu, evaį¹ sikkhitabbaį¹: | “Then you should train yourself thus: |
‘mettÄ me ceto-vimutti bhÄvitÄ | ‘Good-will, as my awareness-release development, |
bhavissati | (will be) developed, |
bahulÄ«-katÄ yÄnÄ«-katÄ | Much-pursued, given a means of transport, |
vatthu-katÄ anuį¹-į¹hitÄ | given a grounding, steadied, |
paricitÄ su-samÄraddhÄ’ti. | consolidated, & well-undertaken.’ |
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EvaƱhi te,bhikkhu, sikkhitabbaį¹. | That’s how you should train yourself. |
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Yato kho te,bhikkhu, ayaį¹ samÄdhi evaį¹ bhÄvito hoti bahulÄ«kato, | When you have developed this undistractible-lucidity in this way, |
tato tvaį¹,bhikkhu, | then |
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| (samÄdhi in 3 ways fulfills (7sb → 1-6 šš… š) and 4j jhÄnas) |
imaį¹ samÄdhiį¹ | this undistractible-lucidty |
(1) sa-vi-takkampi sa-vicÄraį¹ bhÄveyyÄsi, | (1) with-directed-thought & with-evaluation (you should) develop, |
(2) a-vi-takkampi vicÄra-mattaį¹ bhÄveyyÄsi, | (2) Without-directed-thought & a-modicum-of-evaluation (you should) develop, |
(3) a-vi-takkampi a-vicÄraį¹ bhÄveyyÄsi, | (3) Without-directed-thought & wiithout-evaluation (you should) develop, |
Sap-pÄ«ti-kampi bhÄveyyÄsi, | (7sb → 4. š) With-rapture (you should) develop, |
nip-pÄ«ti-kampi bhÄveyyÄsi, | Without-rapture (you should) develop, |
sÄta-sahagatampi bhÄveyyÄsi, | Endowed-with-satisfaction (you should) develop, |
upekkhÄ-sahagatampi bhÄveyyÄsi. | (7sb → 7. šš ) Endowed-with-equanimous-observation (you should) develop,
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B. Sujato translation, V&V sometimes correctly interpreted as 'thinking and considering/exploring', other times 'placing the mind and keeping it connected'
https://suttacentral.net/sn46.3/en/sujato
Because after hearing the teaching of such mendicants, a mendicant will live withdrawn in both body and mind,TathÄrÅ«pÄnaį¹, bhikkhave, bhikkhÅ«naį¹ dhammaį¹ sutvÄ dvayena vÅ«pakÄsena vÅ«pakaį¹į¹ho viharati—kÄyavÅ«pakÄsena ca cittavÅ«pakÄsena ca.as they recollect and think about that teaching.So tathÄ vÅ«pakaį¹į¹ho viharanto taį¹ dhammaį¹ anussarati anuvitakketi.
At such a time, a mendicant has activated the awakening factor of mindfulness;Yasmiį¹ samaye, bhikkhave, bhikkhu tathÄ vÅ«pakaį¹į¹ho viharanto taį¹ dhammaį¹ anussarati anuvitakketi, satisambojjhaį¹
go tasmiį¹ samaye bhikkhuno Äraddho hoti;they develop itsatisambojjhaį¹
gaį¹ tasmiį¹ samaye bhikkhu bhÄveti;and perfect it.satisambojjhaį¹
go tasmiį¹ samaye bhikkhuno bhÄvanÄpÄripÅ«riį¹ gacchati.As they live mindfully in this way they investigate, explore, and inquire into that teaching with wisdom.So tathÄ sato viharanto taį¹ dhammaį¹ paƱƱÄya pavicinati pavicarati parivÄ«maį¹samÄpajjati.
At such a time, a mendicant has activated the awakening factor of investigation of principles;Yasmiį¹ samaye, bhikkhave, bhikkhu tathÄ sato viharanto taį¹ dhammaį¹ paƱƱÄya pavicinati pavicarati parivÄ«maį¹samÄpajjati, dhammavicayasambojjhaį¹
go tasmiį¹ samaye bhikkhuno Äraddho hoti;they develop itdhammavicayasambojjhaį¹
gaį¹ tasmiį¹ samaye bhikkhu bhÄveti;and perfect it.dhammavicayasambojjhaį¹
go
https://suttacentral.net/sn47.10/en/sujato
What four?Katamesu catÅ«su?It’s when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of desire and aversion for the world.
IdhÄnanda, bhikkhu kÄye kÄyÄnupassÄ« viharati ÄtÄpÄ« sampajÄno satimÄ, vineyya loke abhijjhÄdomanassaį¹.
As they meditate observing an aspect of the body, based on the body there arises physical tension, or mental sluggishness, or the mind is externally scattered.
Tassa kÄye kÄyÄnupassino viharato kÄyÄrammaį¹o vÄ uppajjati kÄyasmiį¹ pariįø·Äho, cetaso vÄ lÄ«nattaį¹, bahiddhÄ vÄ cittaį¹ vikkhipati.
That mendicant should direct their mind towards an inspiring foundation.
TenÄnanda, bhikkhunÄ kismiƱcideva pasÄdanÄ«ye nimitte cittaį¹ paį¹idahitabbaį¹.
As they do so, joy springs up.Tassa kismiƱcideva pasÄdanÄ«ye nimitte cittaį¹ paį¹idahato pÄmojjaį¹ jÄyati.
Being joyful, rapture springs up.Pamuditassa pÄ«ti jÄyati.
When the mind is full of rapture, the body becomes tranquil.PÄ«timanassa kÄyo passambhati.
When the body is tranquil, one feels bliss.PassaddhakÄyo sukhaį¹ vedayati.
And when blissful, the mind becomes immersed in samÄdhi.
Sukhino cittaį¹ samÄdhiyati.
Then they reflect:So iti paį¹isaƱcikkhati:‘I have accomplished the goal for which I directed my mind.‘yassa khvÄhaį¹ atthÄya cittaį¹ paį¹idahiį¹, so me attho abhinipphanno.Let me now pull back.’Handa dÄni paį¹isaį¹harÄmÄ«’ti.
They pull back, and neither place the mind nor keep it connected.
So paį¹isaį¹harati ceva na ca vitakketi na ca vicÄreti.
They understand: ‘I’m neither placing the mind nor keeping it connected. Mindful within myself, I’m happy.’
‘Avitakkomhi avicÄro, ajjhattaį¹ satimÄ sukhamasmÄ«’ti pajÄnÄti.
https://suttacentral.net/sn54.13/en/sujato
And how are the four kinds of mindfulness meditation developed and cultivated so as to fulfill the seven awakening factors?Kathaį¹ bhÄvitÄ cÄnanda, cattÄro satipaį¹į¹hÄnÄ kathaį¹ bahulÄ«katÄ satta bojjhaį¹
ge paripÅ«renti?Whenever a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body,Yasmiį¹ samaye, Änanda, bhikkhu kÄye kÄyÄnupassÄ« viharati—their mindfulness is established and lucid.upaį¹į¹hitÄssa tasmiį¹ samaye bhikkhuno sati hoti asammuį¹į¹hÄ.At such a time, a mendicant has activated the awakening factor of mindfulness; they develop it and perfect it.Yasmiį¹ samaye, Änanda, bhikkhuno upaį¹į¹hitÄ sati hoti asammuį¹į¹hÄ—satisambojjhaį¹
go tasmiį¹ samaye bhikkhuno Äraddho hoti, satisambojjhaį¹
gaį¹ tasmiį¹ samaye bhikkhu bhÄveti, satisambojjhaį¹
go tasmiį¹ samaye bhikkhuno bhÄvanÄpÄripÅ«riį¹ gacchati.
As they live mindfully in this way they investigate, explore, and inquire into that principle with wisdom.So tathÄ sato viharanto taį¹ dhammaį¹ paƱƱÄya pavicinati pavicarati parivÄ«maį¹samÄpajjati.Yasmiį¹ samaye, Änanda, bhikkhu tathÄ sato viharanto taį¹ dhammaį¹ paƱƱÄya pavicinati pavicarati parivÄ«maį¹samÄpajjati—At such a time, a mendicant has activated the awakening factor of investigation of principles; they develop it and perfect it.dhammavicayasambojjhaį¹
go tasmiį¹ samaye bhikkhuno Äraddho hoti, dhammavicayasambojjhaį¹
gaį¹ tasmiį¹ samaye bhikkhu bhÄveti, dhammavicayasambojjhaį¹
go tasmiį¹ samaye bhikkhuno bhÄvanÄpÄripÅ«riį¹ gacchati. (2)
https://suttacentral.net/an8.63/en/sujato
When this immersion is well developed and cultivated in this way, you should develop it while placing the mind and keeping it connected. You should develop it without placing the mind, but just keeping it connected. You should develop it without placing the mind or keeping it connected. You should develop it with rapture. You should develop it without rapture. You should develop it with pleasure. You should develop it with equanimity.
Yato kho te, bhikkhu, ayaį¹ samÄdhi evaį¹ bhÄvito hoti bahulÄ«kato, tato tvaį¹, bhikkhu, imaį¹ samÄdhiį¹ savitakkampi savicÄraį¹ bhÄveyyÄsi, avitakkampi vicÄramattaį¹ bhÄveyyÄsi, avitakkampi avicÄraį¹ bhÄveyyÄsi, sappÄ«tikampi bhÄveyyÄsi, nippÄ«tikampi bhÄveyyÄsi, sÄtasahagatampi bhÄveyyÄsi, upekkhÄsahagatampi bhÄveyyÄsi.
https://suttacentral.net/an5.26/en/sujato
But the mendicant thinks about and considers the teaching in their heart, examining it with the mind as they learned and memorized it.api ca kho yathÄsutaį¹ yathÄpariyattaį¹ dhammaį¹ cetasÄ anuvitakketi anuvicÄreti manasÄnupekkhati.That mendicant feels inspired by the meaning and the teaching in that Dhamma, no matter how they think about and consider it in their heart, examining it with the mind as they learned and memorized it.YathÄ yathÄ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathÄsutaį¹ yathÄpariyattaį¹ dhammaį¹ cetasÄ anuvitakketi anuvicÄreti manasÄnupekkhati tathÄ tathÄ so tasmiį¹ dhamme atthapaį¹isaį¹vedÄ« ca hoti dhammapaį¹isaį¹vedÄ« ca.Feeling inspired, joy springs up.Tassa atthapaį¹isaį¹vedino dhammapaį¹isaį¹vedino pÄmojjaį¹ jÄyati.Being joyful, rapture springs up.Pamuditassa pÄ«ti jÄyati.When the mind is full of rapture, the body becomes tranquil.PÄ«timanassa kÄyo passambhati.When the body is tranquil, one feels bliss.PassaddhakÄyo sukhaį¹ vedeti.And when blissful, the mind becomes immersed in samÄdhi.Sukhino cittaį¹ samÄdhiyati.This is the fourth opportunity for freedom. …Idaį¹, bhikkhave, catutthaį¹ vimuttÄyatanaį¹ yattha bhikkhuno appamattassa ÄtÄpino pahitattassa viharato avimuttaį¹ vÄ cittaį¹ vimuccati, aparikkhÄ«į¹Ä vÄ ÄsavÄ parikkhayaį¹ gacchanti, ananuppattaį¹ vÄ anuttaraį¹ yogakkhemaį¹ anupÄpuį¹Äti. (4)
Moral of the story and Conclusion
Waffles can be delicious, but not when it comes to translating and interpretation of important meditation terms.
