Dhyana

Dhyāna is a term in Sanskritwhich refers to a type or aspect of meditation. It is a key concept in Hinduismand Buddhism. Equivalent terms are jhāna in Pāli, chán in Chinese, and zen in Japanese.

Dhyāna in Buddhism

In the Pali Canonthe Buddhadescribes eight progressive states of absorption meditationor Jhana. The first four are connected to the physical realm and the last four only with the mental realm (i.e. there is no experience of the body in the four higher Jhanas). It must be noted that these states are not the final goal that the Buddha taught since they are all still in the field of mind and matter. The final goal of Nibbana(Sanskrit:Nirvana) is the experience beyond mind and matter.

In East Asia, several schools of Buddhism were founded that focused on dhyana, under the names Chan, Zen, and Seon. According to tradition, Bodhidharmabrought Dhyana to the Shaolintemple in China, through Tibet, where it came to be known first as chan, and then zen.

Jhanas are normally described by the way of the mental factors which are present in these states

1. Initial application Vitakka
2. Sustained application Vicara
3. Joy Piti
4. Happiness Sukkha
5. One-pointedness Ekaggata

• First Jhana : Vitakka, Vicara, Piti, Sukkha, Ekaggata
  

As the meditator reaches this first Jhana, he can meditate without being disturbed by any thought or desire, though thoughts are still there.

• Second Jhana : Piti, Sukkha,Ekaggata
  

All intellectual processes cease. There is only rapture, happiness, and the object.

• Third Jhana : Sukkha, Ekaggata
  

Joy disappears.

• Fourth Jhana : Upekkha, Ekaggata
  

Even happiness disappears, leading to a state with neither pleasure nor suffering. The Buddhadescribed the Jhanas as "the footsteps of the tathagata".
Traditionally, this fourth Jhana is seen as the beginning of attaining psychic powers.

These four are rupajhanas, material jhanas. An additional four arupajhanasstill consist in the two factors of Upekkhaand Ekaggata.
Arupajhanas are non-material jhanas and are described by their mental object :

• Fifth Jhana : infinitespace
  
• Sixth Jhana : infiniteconsciousness
  
• Seventh Jhana : nothingness
  
• Eighth Jhana : neither perception nor non-perception
  

Usually Jhanas are exposed as part of Samatha's practice, as opposed to Vipassana. But Vipassana jhanasare also mentioned. When the awareness of the arising and passing of physical sensations is maintained during the first four Jhanas they are Vipassana Jhanas.

Dhyāna in Hinduism

According to the Hindu Yoga Sutradhyana is one of the eight methods of Yoga, (the other seven methods are Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, and Samadhi).

In the Ashtanga Yogaof Patanjali, the stage of meditation preceding dhyāna is called dharana. In Dhyana, the meditator is not conscious of the act of meditation (i.e. is not aware that s/he is meditating) but is only aware that s/he exists (consciousness of being), and aware of the object of meditation. Dhyana is distinct from Dharanain that the meditator becomes one with the object of meditation and is able to maintain this oneness for 144 inhalations and expirations.

The Dhyana Yoga system is specifically described by Sri Krishnain chapter 6 of the famous Bhagavad Gita, wherein He explains the many different Yoga systems to His friend and disciple, Arjuna.

See also

• Rupajhana
• Arupajhana
• Ashtanga Yoga
• Samadhi
• Bhavana

External links

• Digital Dictionary of Buddhism(log in with userID "guest")
• The Buddha's descriptions of the first four states of dhyanain the Pali Canon(Anguttara Nikaya V.28)
• Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi, and Meditationby Swami Nirmalananda Giri
• Jhana, the Joyful Home of the Wayby the contemplative recluse monk Sotapanna Jhanananda (Jeffrey S, Brooks)

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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhyana Wikipedia article Dhyana.