Saṁyutta Nikāya 53.1–12

The Related Suttas Collection 53.1–12

1. Gaṅgāpeyyālavagga

1. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges

Jhānādisutta

Absorptions, Etc.

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

At Sāvatthī.

Tatra kho …pe…

“cattārome, bhikkhave, jhānā. Katame cattāro?

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.’

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

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.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro jhānāti.

These are the four jhānas.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, gaṅgā nadī pācīnaninnā pācīnapoṇā pācīnapabbhārā; evameva kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cattāro jhāne bhāvento cattāro jhāne bahulīkaronto nibbānaninno hoti nibbānapoṇo nibbānapabbhāro.

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.

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

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

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

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.

Vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā …pe… dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ … tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ … catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

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.

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

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

Dvādasamaṁ.

Gaṅgāpeyyālavaggo paṭhamo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Cha pācīnato ninnā, cha ninnā ca samuddato; Dvete cha dvādasa honti, vaggo tena pavuccatīti.

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.