Saṁyutta Nikāya 53.1–12
Translators: sujato
Linked Discourses 53.1–12
1. Gaṅgāpeyyālavagga
1. Abbreviated Texts on the Ganges
Jhānādisutta
Absorptions, Etc.
Sāvatthinidānaṁ.
At Sāvatthī.
Tatra kho …pe…
“cattārome, bhikkhave, jhānā.
“Mendicants, there are these four absorptions.
Katame cattāro?
What four?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.
It’s when a mendicant, 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.
Vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ cetaso ekodibhāvaṁ avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhijaṁ pītisukhaṁ dutiyaṁ 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 immersion, with internal clarity and mind at one, without placing the mind and keeping it connected.
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 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.’
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 absorption, without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness.
Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro jhānāti.
These are the four absorptions.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, gaṅgā nadī pācīnaninnā pācīnapoṇā pācīnapabbhārā;
The Ganges river slants, slopes, and inclines to the east.
evameva kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cattāro jhāne bhāvento cattāro jhāne bahulīkaronto nibbānaninno hoti nibbānapoṇo nibbānapabbhāro.
In the same way, a mendicant who develops and cultivates the four absorptions slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.
Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cattāro jhāne bhāvento cattāro jhāne bahulīkaronto nibbānaninno hoti nibbānapoṇo nibbānapabbhāro?
And how does a mendicant who develops and cultivates the four absorptions slant, slope, and incline to extinguishment?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.
It’s when a mendicant, 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.
Vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā …pe… dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ …
As the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, they enter and remain in the second absorption …
tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ …
third absorption …
catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.
fourth absorption.
Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cattāro jhāne bhāvento cattāro jhāne bahulīkaronto nibbānaninno hoti nibbānapoṇo nibbānapabbhāro”ti.
That’s how a mendicant who develops and cultivates the four absorptions slants, slopes, and inclines to extinguishment.”
Dvādasamaṁ.
Gaṅgāpeyyālavaggo paṭhamo.
Tassuddānaṁ
Cha pācīnato ninnā,
Six on slanting to the east,
cha ninnā ca samuddato;
and six on slanting to the ocean;
Dvete cha dvādasa honti,
these two sixes make twelve,
vaggo tena pavuccatīti.
and that’s how this chapter is recited.