"The goal of samatha meditation is to progress through four stages
(dhyanas):
1. Detachment from the external world and a consciousness of joy and
tranquility;
2. Concentration, with suppression of reasoning and investigation;
3. The passing away of joy, but with the sense of tranquility
remaining; and
4. The passing away of tranquility also, bringing about a state of
pure self-possession and equanimity."
"Dhyana in Sanskrit <http://groups.yahoo.com/wiki/Sanskrit> or jhana in
Pali <http://groups.yahoo.com/wiki/P%C4%81li> can refer to either
meditation or meditative states.
Equivalent terms are "Chi¢n <http://groups.yahoo.com/wiki/Ch%C3%A1n>
" in modern Chinese <http://groups.yahoo.com/wiki/Standard_Chinese> ,
"Zen <http://groups.yahoo.com/wiki/Zen> " in Japanese
<http://groups.yahoo.com/wiki/Japanese_language> , "Seon
<http://groups.yahoo.com/wiki/Seon> " in Korean
<http://groups.yahoo.com/wiki/Korean_language> , "Thien" in Vietnamese
<http://groups.yahoo.com/wiki/Vietnamese_language> , and "Samten" in
Tibetan <http://groups.yahoo.com/wiki/Tibetan_language> .
As a meditative state, dhy¨¡na is characterized by profound stillness
and concentration.
It is discussed in the Pali canon
<http://groups.yahoo.com/wiki/Pali_Canon> (and the parallel agamas
<http://groups.yahoo.com/wiki/Agamas> ) and post-canonical Theravada
Buddhist <http://groups.yahoo.com/wiki/Buddhism> literature, and in
other literature.
There has been little scientific study of the states so far."
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhy%C4%81na_in_Buddhism
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhy%C4%81na_in_Buddhism>
Dhyana or Jhana states are discussed by James Austin in: 'Zen-Mind
Reflections' and are stated as occurring between the makyo states and
the states of kensho-satori. Google[(dhyana OR jhana) states buddhism]
for more information on these states.
--ED
--- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, "ED" <seacrofter...@...> wrote:
> <snip>
The goal of samatha meditation is to progress through four stages
(dhyanas):
1. Detachment from the external world and a consciousness of joy and
tranquility;
2. Concentration, with suppression of reasoning and investigation;
3. The passing away of joy, but with the sense of tranquility
remaining; and
4. The passing away of tranquility also, bringing about a state of
pure self-possession and equanimity.
5. <snip>
http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/practices/meditation.htm
<http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/practices/meditation.htm>
