8. The Four Absorptions

Cattāri jhānāni:
There are four absorptions: The standard pericope for the four absorptions can be found in section 12, where they are said to lead to a pleasant abiding here and now; and in the definition of sammā samādhi in section 21 below; this though is a variation explaining the factors that are present also.

1. Paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ,
1. First absorption,

2. dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ,
2. second absorption,

3. tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ,
3. third absorption,

4. catutthaṁ jhānaṁ.
4. fourth absorption.

1. Tattha katamaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ?
1. Herein what is the first absorption?

Idha bhikkhu yasmiṁ samaye rūpūpapattiyā maggaṁ bhāveti,
Here at whatever time a monastic cultivates the path to rebirth in the form (worlds),

vivicceva kāmehi,
quite secluded from sense desires,

vivicca akusalehi dhammehi,
secluded from unwholesome thoughts,

savitakkaṁ, savicāraṁ, vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ,
having thinking, reflection, and the happiness and joy born of seclusion,

paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati pathavīkasiṇaṁ.
dwells having attained the first absorption based on the earth-object. This is one of the meditation objects known to be helpful for producing absorption.

Tasmiṁ samaye pañcaṅgikaṁ jhānaṁ hoti:
At that time there is absorption with five factors:

1. Vitakko,
1. Thinking,

2. vicāro,
2. reflection

3. pīti,
3. joy,

4. sukhaṁ,
4. happiness,

5. cittassekaggatā.
5. one-pointedness of thought.

Idaṁ vuccati paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ.
This is said to be the first absorption.

Avasesā dhammā jhānasampayuttā.
(Also) the rest of the thoughts associated with the absorptions.

2. Tattha katamaṁ dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ?
2. Herein what is the second absorption?

Idha bhikkhu yasmiṁ samaye rūpūpapattiyā maggaṁ bhāveti,
Here at whatever time a monastic cultivates the path to rebirth in the form (worlds),

vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā,
with the calming down of thinking and reflection,

ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ, cetaso ekodibhāvaṁ,
with internal clarity, and one-pointedness of mind,

avitakkaṁ, avicāraṁ, samādhijaṁ pītisukhaṁ,
being without thinking, without reflection, having the happiness and joy born of concentration,

dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati pathavīkasiṇaṁ.
he dwells having attained the second absorption based on the earth-object.

Tasmiṁ samaye tivaṅgikaṁ jhānaṁ hoti:
At that time there is absorption with three factors:

1. Pīti,
1. Joy,

2. sukhaṁ,
2. happiness,

3. cittassekaggatā.
3. one-pointedness of thought.

Idaṁ vuccati dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ.
This is said to be the second absorption.

Avasesā dhammā jhānasampayuttā.
(Also) the rest of the thoughts associated with the absorptions.

3. Tattha katamaṁ tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ?
3. Herein what is the third absorption?

Idha bhikkhu yasmiṁ samaye rūpūpapattiyā maggaṁ bhāveti,
Here at whatever time a monastic cultivates the path to rebirth in the form (worlds),

pītiyā ca virāgā upekkhako ca viharati,
with the fading away of joy he dwells equanimous,

sato ca sampajāno, sukhañ-ca kāyena paṭisaṁvedeti,
mindful, fully aware, experiencing happiness through the body,

yan-taṁ Ariyā ācikkhanti: Upekkhako satimā sukhavihārī ti,
about which the Noble Ones declare: He dwells pleasantly, mindful, and equanimous,

tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati pathavīkasiṇaṁ.
he dwells having attained the third absorption based on the earth-object.

Tasmiṁ samaye duvaṅgikaṁ jhānaṁ hoti:
At that time there is absorption with two factors:

1. Sukhaṁ,
1. Happiness,

2. cittassekaggatā.
2. one-pointedness of thought.

Idaṁ vuccati tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ.
This is said to be the third absorption.

Avasesā dhammā jhānasampayuttā.
(Also) the rest of the thoughts associated with the absorptions.

4. Tattha katamaṁ catutthaṁ jhānaṁ?
4. Herein what is the fourth absorption?

Idha bhikkhu yasmiṁ samaye rūpūpapattiyā maggaṁ bhāveti,
Here at whatever time a monastic cultivates the path to rebirth in the form (worlds),

sukhassa ca pahānā, dukkhassa ca pahānā,
having abandoned pleasure, abandoned pain,

pubbeva somanassadomanassānaṁ atthaṅgamā,
and with the previous passing away of mental happiness and sorrow,

adukkhamasukhaṁ, upekkhāsatipārisuddhiṁ,
without pain, without pleasure, and with complete purity of mindfulness owing to equanimity,

catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati pathavīkasiṇaṁ.
he dwells having attained the fourth absorption based on the earth-object.

Tasmiṁ samaye duvaṅgikaṁ jhānaṁ hoti:
At that time there is absorption with two factors:

1. Upekkhā,
1. Equanimity,

2. cittassekaggatā.
2. one-pointedness of thought.

Idaṁ vuccati catutthaṁ jhānaṁ.
This is said to be the fourth absorption.

Avasesā dhammā jhānasampayuttā.
(Also) the rest of the thoughts associated with the absorptions.