Hello Michael,

MB> Sorry but I cannot help you in the interpretation of the Pali words. But in
MB> relation to your question ▒whether jhanas are necessary for the attainment
MB> of Arahantship▓ there are arguments that would justify one interpretation or
MB> the other.

The question is whether these arguments are conclusive. I have not
heard yet any substantial evidence that jhanas are not necessary.

The suttas clearly link "release through wisdom" with jhanas:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/anguttara/an09-044.html
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/digha/dn15.html

MB> The Pali Canon has plenty of examples of someone listening to a discourse
MB> and achieving some level of sainthood. The example that comes to mind is
MB> KondaЯЯa in the first discourse of the Buda - The Dhammacakkapavattana
MB> Sutta. One would argue that there was no jhana involved in those cases.

The stream-entry may indeed not require jhanas. Yet the question is
about arahantship.

The second discourse, Anatta-lakkhana sutta, was told to Kondanna and
his colleagues several days after, so one would argue that they needed
some jhana development before they could attain Arahantship.

MB> But the best advice and insurance for all would be to
MB> include samma samadhi as part of their path.

Indeed.

Metta,
Dimitry