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Anguttara Nikaya IV.41

Samadhi Sutta (AN IV.41)

Discourse on Absorption

Based upon a translation from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

Edited for readability and sensitive to the language of gnosis and cognition, 04-04-04, by the contemplative Sotapanna recluse monk Jhanananda (Jeffrey S, Brooks)

For free distribution only.

"Monks, these are the four developments of absorption (samadhi). Which four? There is the development of absorption (samadhi) that, when developed and pursued, leads to the joyful home of the way (Di.t.thadhammasukhavihaaraa). There is the development of absorption (samadhi) that, when developed and pursued, leads to the attainment of knowledge and vision (vipassana). There is the development of absorption (samadhi) that, when developed and pursued, leads to mindfulness and alertness (sati). There is the development of absorption (samadhi) that, when developed and pursued, leads to the ending of mental agitation (effluents).

"And what is the development of absorption (samadhi) that, when developed and pursued, leads to the joyful home of the way (Di.t.thadhammasukhavihaaraa)? There is the case where a monk -- quite withdrawn from sensuality, withdrawn from unskillful qualities -- enters and remains in the first absorption (jhana): bliss (piti) and joy (sukha) born from withdrawal, accompanied by applied and sustained attention (vitakka and vicára). With the stilling of applied and sustained attention (vitakka and vicára), he enters and remains in the second absorption (jhana): bliss (piti) and joy (sukha) born of composure, unification of awareness free and -- internal assurance. With the fading of joy (sukha) he remains in equanimity, mindful and alert, and physically sensitive to bliss (piiti). He enters and remains in the third absorption (jhana), of which the Noble Ones declare, 'Equanimous and mindful, he has a pleasurable abiding.' With the abandoning of pleasure and pain (sukha & dukkha) -- as with the earlier disappearance of elation and anxiety -- he enters and remains in the fourth absorption (jhana): purity of equanimity and mindfulness, neither pleasure nor pain (no sukha nor dukkha). This is the development of absorption (samadhi) that, when developed and pursued, leads to the joyful home of the way (Di.t.thadhammasukhavihaaraa).

"And what is the development of absorption (samadhi) that, when developed and pursued, leads to the attainment of knowledge and vision (vipassana)? There is the case where a monk attends to the perception of light and is resolved on the perception of daytime [at any hour of the day]. Day [for him] is the same as night, night is the same as day. By means of an awareness open and unhampered, he develops a brightened mind. This is the development of absorption (samadhi) that when developed and pursued, leads to the attainment of knowledge and vision (vipassana).

"And what is the development of absorption (samadhi) that, when developed and pursued, leads to mindfulness and alertness (sati)? There is the case where sensations are known to the monk as they arise, known as they persist, known as they subside. Perceptions are known to him as they arise, known as they persist, known as they subside. Thoughts are known to him as they arise, known as they persist, known as they subside. This is the development of absorption (samadhi) that, when developed and pursued, leads to mindfulness and alertness (sati).

"And what is the development of absorption (samadhi) that, when developed and pursued, leads to the ending of the agitation? There is the case where a monk remains focused on arising and falling away with reference to the five clinging-aggregates (of cognition): 'Such is form, such its origination, such its passing away. Such is sensation, such its origination, such its passing away. Such is perception, such its origination, such its passing away. Such are fabrications, such their origination, such their passing away. Such is cognition, such its origination, such its disappearance.' This is the development of absorption (samadhi) that, when developed and pursued, leads to the ending of the agitation.

"These are the four developments of absorption.

"And it was in connection with this that I stated in Punnaka's Question in the Way to the Far Shore [Sn V.3]:

'He who has fathomed

the far and near in the world,

for whom there is nothing

perturbing in the world --

his vices evaporated,

without desire, untroubled,

at peace --

he, I tell you, has crossed over birth and aging.'"

 

See also:

Bhikkhu Bodhi and Nyanaponika Thera, translation, "Anguttara Nikaya, AN (The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha)," Altamira Press, 1997

This translation based upon Thanissaro Bhikkhu's original Revised: Sun 19-Oct-2003 translation is available at this URL:

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/anguttara/an04-041.html

This version edited by Jhanananda originally posted 03/11/04 and updated 04-04-04 is available at this URL:

http://www.greatwesternvehcile.org/samadhisutta.htm

May you become enlightened in this very lifetime,

Jhanananda (Jeffrey S. Brooks)

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