Dear Dimitry,
Thank you and also the others for your kind words of welcome.
This subject is very difficult but interesting, and I would just like to
make a few observations. As to aniccaa sa~n~naa, I read in the Co to the
Anapanasati sutta: that here insight, vipassana, is meant by sa~n~naa,
perception. We can compare here the use of the word sanna: we find in the
texts at times atta-sa~n~naa, perception of self, and anatta-sa~n~naa,
perception of non-self.
It depends on the context where it is used. I am inclined to take sa~n~naa
as a mental activity, whereas the nimitta I see as a pa~n~natti, a
meditation subject that is the object experienced by citta.
However, as you pointed out, there are several meanings of nimitta. I like
the text you used here.
Just a remark about ruupasa~n~nii : does this not refer to ruupajhaana,
whereas aruupasa~n~nii refers to aruupajhaana? I like to be corrected,
because as said, these are difficult suttas I have to study more. When the
yogavacara sees colour or form, colour of kashmire cloth, etc. he is
reminded of the kasina which is his meditation subject and can attain fine
material jhaana. He has mastery, thus he can attain jhaana at any time.
I just found more: Expositor II, Part V, Ch XI, on the Positions of Mastery.
I have to study this more.
Read for Preamble: parikamma. < 'Sees material qualities external to
himself' means, from having performed the preamble externally in the eight
devices, he sees with jhana-eyes the external objects of these eight devices
by virtue of the preamble and the ecstasy.>
See also Part VI, on sa~n~naa: <'perceptions of material qualities
(ruupa-sa~n~naana.m) means the aforesaid Jhanas of the realm of attenuated
matter and the registered objects...> See further: < 'perception of material
qualities,' that is, perception with respect to material qualities is an
equivalent term for such jhana of the realm of attenuated matter symbolized
by the perception...>
It is complicated, but one thing is clear: he has mastery, the jhana comes
so natural to him, whatever he perceives can be his nimitta. It can be in
daily life. Jaanaami passaamii'ti. It is highly developed pa~n~naa.
I do not know whether this is of any help.
Best wishes,
Nina.

op 26-09-2002 11:31 schreef äÍÉÔÒÉÊ áÌÅËÓÅÅ×ÉÞ é×ÁÈÎÅÎËÏ (Dimitry A.
Ivakhnenko) op koleso@...:

> Dear Pali friends,
> (I am especially delighted to meet Nina van Gorkom),
>
> I would like to discuss with you a hypothesis about the meaning of
> the term 'nimitta' in jhana.

> Here the maenings of 'nimitta' are:
> - paccaya;
> - kaara.na;
> - samaadhi;
> - vipassana;
> - nimitta of the attractive as a basis for passion and desire.
>

(snipped)