MN 19 Buddha's jhāna vs. Ajahn Brahm's "jhāna", in pictures

The Buddha's first jhāna simile

The cowherd is resting under the shade of a tree lucidly discerning,

using vitakka verbal thoughts of "those well behaved cows"

to stay alert to their activities.

His eyes may be open or closed, his ears are operational,

he can hear if any cows are misbehaving.

Ajahn Brahm's corrupt redefinition of "jhāna"

The cowherd is in a disembodied frozen stupor where the 5 senses are shut off,

the only thing he is discerning, and not very lucidly,

is a hazy memory of the mental bliss of entering (a corrupt) first jhāna,

while time passes,

and the cows are trampling the king's crops

and wreaking havoc

and attacking villagers.

When the cowherd emerges from "first jhāna",

the cows are gone.

He's confused because his frozen stupor felt timeless.

He has no idea hours have passed,

and the King's guards are there to arrest him.

And in those days, punishment is death.

Comments

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notes on the Dhamma

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