Usage of jhÄna The meditator uses the jhÄna state to strengthen and sharpen the mind, in order to investigate the true nature of phenomena (dhamma) and to gain higher knowledge. The longer the meditator stays in the state of jhÄna the sharper and more powerful the mind becomes. The jhÄna will sometimes cause the five hindrances to be suppressed for days. According to the later TheravÄda commentorial tradition as outlined by Buddhagoá¹£a in his Visuddhimagga, after coming out of the state of jhÄna the meditator will be in the state of post-jhÄna access concentration. This will have the qualities of being certain, long-lasting and stable. It is where the work of investigation and analysis of the true nature of phenomena begins and is also where deep insight into the characteristics of impermanence, suffering and not-self arises. The meditator can experience these truths, which lie at the heart of the Buddha's teachings, through direct experience. In contrast, according to the sutta descriptions of jhÄna practice, the meditator does not emerge from jhÄna to practice vipassana but rather the work of insight is done whilst in jhÄna itself. In particular the meditator is instructed to "enter and remain in the fourth jhÄna" before commencing the work of insight in order to uproot the mental defilements. With the abandoning of pleasure and pain as with the earlier disappearance of elation and distress he enters and remains in the fourth jhÄna: purity of equanimity and mindfulness, neither-pleasure nor pain...With his mind thus concentrated, purified, and bright, unblemished, free from defects, pliant, malleable, steady, and attained to imperturbability, the monk directs and inclines it to the knowledge of the ending of the mental fermentations. He discerns, as it has come to be, that 'This is suffering... This is the origination of suffering... This is the cessation of suffering... This is the way leading to the cessation of suffering... These are mental fermentations... This is the origination of fermentations... This is the cessation of fermentations... This is the way leading to the cessation of fermentations.' Samaññaphala Sutta As the five hindrances may be suppressed for days after entering jhÄna, the meditator will feel perfectly clear, mindful, full of compassion, peaceful and light after the meditation session. This, according to Ajahn Brahm, may cause some meditators to mistakenly assume that they have gained enlightenment. The jhÄna state cannot by itself lead to enlightenment as it only suppresses the defilements. Meditators must use the jhÄna state as an instrument for developing wisdom by cultivating insight and use it to penetrate the true nature of phenomena through direct cognition, which will lead to cutting off the defilements and nibbana. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhy%C4%81na_in_Buddhism <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhy%C4%81na_in_Buddhism>
