The Related Suttas Collection 53.1–12

1. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges

Absorptions, Etc.

At Sāvatthī.

“Bhikkhus, there are these four jhānas. What four?

It’s when a bhikkhu, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first jhāna, which has the (mental) joy and (bodily) pleasure born of seclusion, while thougths are being born and sustained analysis is going on.

As the thougths being born and the sustained analysis going on are stilled, they enter and remain in the second jhāna, which has the (mental) joy and (bodily) pleasure born of samādhi, with internal clarity and mind at one, without thougths being born and without sustained analysis going on.

And with the fading away of (mental) joy, they enter and remain in the third jhāna, where they meditate with equanimity, mindful and aware, personally feeling deeply the (bodily) pleasure of which the noble ones declare, ‘Equanimous and mindful, a pleasure is to meditate.’

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

These are the four jhānas.

The Ganges river slants, slopes, and inclines to the east. In the same way, a bhikkhu who develops and cultivates the four jhānas slants, slopes, and inclines to Nibbana.

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

It’s when a bhikkhu, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first jhāna, which has the (mental) joy and (bodily) pleasure born of seclusion, while thougths are being born and sustained analysis is going on.

As the thougths being born and the sustained analysis going on are stilled, they enter and remain in the second jhāna … third jhāna … fourth jhāna.

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

Six on slanting to the east, and six on slanting to the ocean; these two sixes make twelve, and that’s how this chapter is recited.