SN 45-56 The Group of Connected Discourses on the Path – Mahāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 53 Linked Discourses on Absorption – Jhānasaṁyutta > SN 53.1–12 Absorptions, Etc.

Linked Discourses 53.1–12 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 53.1–12

1. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges – 1. Gaṅgāpeyyālavagga

SN 53.1–12 Absorptions, Etc. – Jhānādisutta

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

Tatra kho …pe…

“Bhikkhū, there are these four absorptions.

“cattārome, bhikkhave, jhānā.

What four?

Katame cattāro?

It’s when a bhikkhu, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

As the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, they enter and remain in the second absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of samādhi, with internal clarity and confidence, and unified mind, without placing the mind and keeping it connected.

Vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ cetaso ekodibhāvaṁ avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhijaṁ pītisukhaṁ dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

And with the fading away of rapture, they enter and remain in the third absorption, where they meditate with equanimity, mindful and aware, personally experiencing the bliss of which the noble ones declare, ‘Equanimous and mindful, one meditates in bliss.’

Pītiyā ca virāgā upekkhako ca viharati sato ca sampajāno sukhañca kāyena paṭisaṁvedeti, yaṁ taṁ ariyā ācikkhanti: ‘upekkhako satimā sukhavihārī’ti tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

Giving up pleasure and pain, and ending former happiness and sadness, they enter and remain in the fourth absorption, without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness.

Sukhassa ca pahānā dukkhassa ca pahānā pubbeva somanassadomanassānaṁ atthaṅgamā adukkhamasukhaṁ upekkhāsatipārisuddhiṁ catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

These are the four absorptions.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro jhānāti.

The Ganges river slants, slopes, and inclines to the east.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, gaṅgā nadī pācīnaninnā pācīnapoṇā pācīnapabbhārā;

In the same way, a bhikkhu who develops and cultivates the four absorptions slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.

evameva kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cattāro jhāne bhāvento cattāro jhāne bahulīkaronto nibbānaninno hoti nibbānapoṇo nibbānapabbhāro.

And how does a bhikkhu who develops and cultivates the four absorptions slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cattāro jhāne bhāvento cattāro jhāne bahulīkaronto nibbānaninno hoti nibbānapoṇo nibbānapabbhāro?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

As the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, they enter and remain in the second absorption …

Vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā …pe… dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ …

third absorption …

tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ …

fourth absorption.

catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

That’s how a bhikkhu who develops and cultivates the four absorptions slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cattāro jhāne bhāvento cattāro jhāne bahulīkaronto nibbānaninno hoti nibbānapoṇo nibbānapabbhāro”ti.

Dvādasamaṁ.

(To be expanded for each of the different rivers as in SN 45.91–102.)

Gaṅgāpeyyālavaggo paṭhamo.

Six on slanting to the east,

Tassuddānaṁ

and six on slanting to the ocean;

Cha pācīnato ninnā,

these two sixes make twelve,

cha ninnā ca samuddato;

and that’s how this chapter is recited.

Dvete cha dvādasa honti,