If you're not already familiar with the STED standard formulas for 7sb awakening factors, and first jhana, you wouldn't even recognize what's going on in this sutta because he doesn't use those explicit labels. But I'm here to help:
MN 68 excerpt:
(this is first jhÄna he’s referring to, not using STED formula)
“Evaį¹ pabbajitena ca pana, anuruddhÄ, kulaputtena kimassa karaį¹Ä«yaį¹?
| “But, Anuruddha and friends, when a respectable person has gone forth like this, what should they do? |
Vivekaį¹, anuruddhÄ, kÄmehi vivekaį¹ akusalehi dhammehi pÄ«tisukhaį¹ nÄdhigacchati aƱƱaį¹ vÄ tato santataraį¹, tassa abhijjhÄpi cittaį¹ pariyÄdÄya tiį¹į¹hati, byÄpÄdopi cittaį¹ pariyÄdÄya tiį¹į¹hati, thinamiddhampi cittaį¹ pariyÄdÄya tiį¹į¹hati uddhaccakukkuccampi cittaį¹ pariyÄdÄya tiį¹į¹hati, vicikicchÄpi cittaį¹ pariyÄdÄya tiį¹į¹hati, aratÄ«pi cittaį¹ pariyÄdÄya tiį¹į¹hati, tandÄ«pi cittaį¹ pariyÄdÄya tiį¹į¹hati.
| Take someone who doesn’t achieve the rapture and pleasure that are secluded from sensual pleasures and unskillful qualities, or something even more peaceful than that. Their mind is still occupied by desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, doubt, discontent, and sloth.(5 hindrances) |
Vivekaį¹, anuruddhÄ, kÄmehi vivekaį¹ akusalehi dhammehi pÄ«tisukhaį¹ nÄdhigacchati aƱƱaį¹ vÄ tato santataraį¹.
| That’s someone who doesn’t achieve the rapture and pleasure that are secluded from sensual pleasures and unskillful qualities, or something even more peaceful than that. (2nd jhana, 3rd, 4th jhana, etc) |
(Buddha gives inspiring talks to provide Dhamma thoughts for pamojja, piti, sukha, the launch code for the 7sb sequence to get you into passadhi/pacification and samadhi)
Taį¹ kiį¹ maƱƱasi, anuruddhÄ,
| What do you think, Anuruddha and friends? |
kaį¹ atthavasaį¹ sampassamÄno tathÄgato sÄvake abbhatÄ«te kÄlaį¹
kate upapattÄ«su byÄkaroti:
| What advantage does the Realized One see in declaring the rebirth of his disciples who have passed away: |
‘asu amutra upapanno; asu amutra upapanno’”ti?
| ‘This one is reborn here, while that one is reborn there’?” |
“Bhagavaį¹mÅ«lakÄ no, bhante, dhammÄ bhagavaį¹nettikÄ bhagavaį¹paį¹isaraį¹Ä. SÄdhu vata, bhante, bhagavantaį¹yeva paį¹ibhÄtu etassa bhÄsitassa attho. Bhagavato sutvÄ bhikkhÅ« dhÄressantÄ«”ti.
| “Our teachings are rooted in the Buddha. He is our guide and our refuge. Sir, may the Buddha himself please clarify the meaning of this. The monks will listen and remember it.” |
“Na kho, anuruddhÄ, tathÄgato janakuhanatthaį¹ na janalapanatthaį¹ na lÄbhasakkÄrasilokÄnisaį¹satthaį¹ na ‘iti maį¹ jano jÄnÄtÅ«’ti sÄvake abbhatÄ«te kÄlaį¹
kate upapattÄ«su byÄkaroti:
| “The Realized One does not declare such things for the sake of deceiving people or flattering them, nor for the benefit of possessions, honor, or popularity, nor thinking, ‘So let people know about me!’ |
‘asu amutra upapanno, asu amutra upapanno’ti.
| |
Santi ca kho, anuruddhÄ, kulaputtÄ saddhÄ uįø·ÄravedÄ uįø·ÄrapÄmojjÄ.
| Rather, there are respectable persons of faith who are full of sublime joy and gladness (this is nearly synonymous with 7sb pīti-sambojjhanga rapture awakening factor). |
Te taį¹ sutvÄ tadatthÄya cittaį¹ upasaį¹haranti.
| When they hear that, they apply their minds to that end. |
Tesaį¹ taį¹, anuruddhÄ, hoti dÄ«gharattaį¹ hitÄya sukhÄya.
| That is for their lasting welfare and happiness (sukha is a jhana factor and a shadow 7sb awakening factor that follows piti and passadhi). |
(nuns: This is the 7sb awakening factor sequence, and phasu-vihara is code phrase for 4 jhanas)
IdhÄnuruddhÄ, bhikkhunÄ« suį¹Äti:
| Take a nun who hears this: |
‘itthannÄmÄ bhikkhunÄ« kÄlaį¹
katÄ;
| ‘The nun named so-and-so has passed away. |
sÄ bhagavatÄ byÄkatÄ—
| The Buddha has declared that, |
aƱƱÄya saį¹į¹hahÄ«’ti.
| she was enlightened.’ |
SÄ kho panassÄ bhaginÄ« sÄmaį¹ diį¹į¹hÄ vÄ hoti anussavassutÄ vÄ:
| And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister |
‘evaį¹sÄ«lÄ sÄ bhaginÄ« ahosi itipi, evaį¹dhammÄ sÄ bhaginÄ« ahosi itipi, evaį¹paĆ±Ć±Ä sÄ bhaginÄ« ahosi itipi, evaį¹vihÄrinÄ« sÄ bhaginÄ« ahosi itipi, evaį¹vimuttÄ sÄ bhaginÄ« ahosi itipÄ«’ti.
| had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom. |
SÄ tassÄ saddhaƱca sÄ«laƱca sutaƱca cÄgaƱca paƱƱaƱca anussarantÄ« tadatthÄya cittaį¹ upasaį¹harati.
| Recollecting (7sb #1 sati-sambojjhanga!) that nun’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. |
Evampi kho, anuruddhÄ, bhikkhuniyÄ phÄsuvihÄro hoti.
| That’s how a nun lives at ease. |
IdhÄnuruddhÄ, bhikkhunÄ« suį¹Äti:
| Take a nun who hears this: |
‘itthannÄmÄ bhikkhunÄ« kÄlaį¹
katÄ;
| ‘The nun named so-and-so has passed away. |
sÄ bhagavatÄ byÄkatÄ—
| The Buddha has declared that, |
paƱcannaį¹ orambhÄgiyÄnaį¹ saį¹yojanÄnaį¹ parikkhayÄ opapÄtikÄ tattha parinibbÄyinÄ« anÄvattidhammÄ tasmÄ lokÄ’ti.
| with the ending of the five lower fetters, she’s been reborn spontaneously and will become nirvana'd there, not liable to return from that world.’ |
SÄ kho panassÄ bhaginÄ« sÄmaį¹ diį¹į¹hÄ vÄ hoti anussavassutÄ vÄ:
| And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister |
‘evaį¹sÄ«lÄ sÄ bhaginÄ« ahosi itipi, evaį¹dhammÄ … pe … evaį¹paĆ±Ć±Ä … evaį¹vihÄrinÄ« … evaį¹vimuttÄ sÄ bhaginÄ« ahosi itipÄ«’ti.
| had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom. |
SÄ tassÄ saddhaƱca sÄ«laƱca sutaƱca cÄgaƱca paƱƱaƱca anussarantÄ« tadatthÄya cittaį¹ upasaį¹harati.
| Recollecting that nun’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. |
Evampi kho, anuruddhÄ, bhikkhuniyÄ phÄsuvihÄro hoti.
| That too is how a nun lives at ease (code phrase for 4 jhanas). |
IdhÄnuruddhÄ, bhikkhunÄ« suį¹Äti:
| Take a nun who hears this: |
‘itthannÄmÄ bhikkhunÄ« kÄlaį¹
katÄ;
| ‘The nun named so-and-so has passed away. |
sÄ bhagavatÄ byÄkatÄ—
| The Buddha has declared that, |
tiį¹į¹aį¹ saį¹yojanÄnaį¹ parikkhayÄ rÄgadosamohÄnaį¹ tanuttÄ sakadÄgÄminÄ« sakideva imaį¹ lokaį¹ ÄgantvÄ dukkhassantaį¹ karissatÄ«’ti.
| with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, she’s a once-returner. She’ll come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.’ |
SÄ kho panassÄ bhaginÄ« sÄmaį¹ diį¹į¹hÄ vÄ hoti anussavassutÄ vÄ:
| And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister |
‘evaį¹sÄ«lÄ sÄ bhaginÄ« ahosi itipi, evaį¹dhammÄ … pe … evaį¹paĆ±Ć±Ä … evaį¹vihÄrinÄ« … evaį¹vimuttÄ sÄ bhaginÄ« ahosi itipÄ«’ti.
| had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom. |
SÄ tassÄ saddhaƱca sÄ«laƱca sutaƱca cÄgaƱca paƱƱaƱca anussarantÄ« tadatthÄya cittaį¹ upasaį¹harati.
| Recollecting that nun’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. |
Evampi kho, anuruddhÄ, bhikkhuniyÄ phÄsuvihÄro hoti.
| That too is how a nun lives at ease. |
IdhÄnuruddhÄ, bhikkhunÄ« suį¹Äti:
| Take a nun who hears this: |
‘itthannÄmÄ bhikkhunÄ« kÄlaį¹
katÄ;
| ‘The nun named so-and-so has passed away. |
sÄ bhagavatÄ byÄkatÄ—
| The Buddha has declared that, |
tiį¹į¹aį¹ saį¹yojanÄnaį¹ parikkhayÄ sotÄpannÄ avinipÄtadhammÄ niyatÄ sambodhiparÄyaį¹Ä’ti.
| with the ending of three fetters she’s a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, bound for awakening.’ |
SÄ kho panassÄ bhaginÄ« sÄmaį¹ diį¹į¹hÄ vÄ hoti anussavassutÄ vÄ:
| And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister |
‘evaį¹sÄ«lÄ sÄ bhaginÄ« ahosi itipi, evaį¹dhammÄ … evaį¹paĆ±Ć±Ä … evaį¹vihÄrinÄ« … evaį¹vimuttÄ sÄ bhaginÄ« ahosi itipÄ«’ti.
| had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom. |
SÄ tassÄ saddhaƱca sÄ«laƱca sutaƱca cÄgaƱca paƱƱaƱca anussarantÄ« tadatthÄya cittaį¹ upasaį¹harati.
| Recollecting that nun’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. |
Evampi kho, anuruddhÄ, bhikkhuniyÄ phÄsuvihÄro hoti.
| That too is how a nun lives at ease. |
(same pattern is described for monks, nuns, laywomen, laymen who attained fruits, and the phasu-vihara comfortable abiding is code phrase for "4 jhanas")
Now going back to beginning of sutta, maybe you'll make the connection:
Atha kho bhagavÄ te kulaputte Ärabbha bhikkhÅ« Ämantesi:
| Then the Buddha spoke to the monks about those respectable persons: |
“ye te, bhikkhave, kulaputtÄ mamaį¹ uddissa saddhÄ agÄrasmÄ anagÄriyaį¹ pabbajitÄ, kacci te, bhikkhave, bhikkhÅ« abhiratÄ brahmacariye”ti?
| “monks, those respectable persons who have gone forth from the lay life to homelessness out of faith in me—I trust they’re satisfied with the spiritual life?” |
Evaį¹ vutte, te bhikkhÅ« tuį¹hÄ« ahesuį¹.
| When this was said, the monks kept silent. |
Dutiyampi kho bhagavÄ te kulaputte Ärabbha bhikkhÅ« Ämantesi:
| For a second and a third time the Buddha asked the same question. |
First jhana is not about kasina staring and samatha kung fu!
It's about learning how to skillfully use Dhamma vitakka, first jhana thinking to lubricate the mind with spiritually inspiring and relevant Dharma instructions to carry out.As you can see from this sutta, and many others like this, first jhana is part of a gradual samadhi training, it's a gateway to genuine samadhi and ekaggata, which doesn't happen until second jhana.
Gradual means it's intended for the novice monks, nuns, laypeople to be able to do the entry level first jhana. VRJ (vism. redefinition of jhana), according to their scripture, their redefinition of first jhana only one in 1 million, or 1 in 10 million people can do it. Does that sound gradual to you? And once they can do a redefined first jhana, usually within a week they can do all four jhanas. Does that sound gradual to you? Why would a perfectly enlightened Buddha design a gradual samadhi training to have a steep cliff with a moat blocking entry?
Look at who the Buddha is talking about in this sutta. It's about monastics who've just ordained, are not happy because their minds are obsessed with 5 hindrances and unskillful vitakka/thoughts.
So First jhana, is learning how to replace unskillful thoughts with skillful thoughts. And when you can relax and pacify (passaddhi) the mind and body, then that's first jhana. (MN 19).
The real test of genuine EBT first jhana
If a monastic ordains, they stay ordained, and they've stayed ordained for a long time, because they're happy (sukha), satisfied with the holy life, gladdened and inspired (piti and pamojja, 7sb factors), that's the acid test for having first jhana.Meanwhile, you have highly skilled samatha kung fu experts who can stare at kasinas, get into appana samadhi, the VRJ (vism. redefinition of jhana) for at least a few hours whenever they want, can get into arupa samadhis easily, but they disrobe or commit sex crimes because they may have Vism. definition of appana samadhi and "Jhana", but they don't even have EBT first jhana which means genuinely preferring the seclusion from sense pleasures, rather than indulging in sense pleasures (like sex, drugs, music), 5 hindrances, committing sex crimes, etc.
Samatha kung fu is great, and has it's place, but it has very little to do with genuine EBT first jhana.
Real examples from the suttas on how easy it is to do a low quality first jhana
AN 1, about 45 suttas on what jhÄna is. Low qualit...
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