Dear Robert and friends,

Robert Kirkpatrick wrote:

<Thus we see that the way of using mundane jhana as a
basis has this
advantage too. However not all beings have the
accumulations to
master the jhanas (I mean genuine jhana, not
imitation). To use the
jhanas as basis one must be proficient in them -not
just attaining
them a few times- >

Nina: In the Mahaanidaanasutta (transl Bhikkhu Bodhi) and the Co. there are
texts about liberated both ways and liberated by insight. At the end of the
sutta we read what the requirements are for being liberated both ways. It
shows how difficult it is:<When a bhikkhu attains these eight emancipations
in forward order, in reverse order, and in both forward and reverse order;
when he attains them and emerges from them wherever he wants, in whatever
way he wants, and for as long as he wants, and when, through the destruction
of the cankers, he here and now enters and dwells in the cankerless
liberation of mind, liberation by wisdom, having realized it for himself
with direct knowledge, then he is called a bhikkhu who is liberated both
ways. And, Ananda, there is no other liberation in both ways higher or more
sublime than this one."
The Visuddhimagga describes these as masteries, vasis.
The co. about the passage <Ananda, when a bhikkhu...is liberated through
non-clinging, then he is called a bhikkhu liberated by wisdom.>
Follows an explanation we discussed before: fivefold: dry insight and those
who attain arahatship after having become established in one of the four
jhanas.
The subco: liberated by wisdom. <He is liberated solely by the power of
wisdom because he does not achieve the eight emancipations and thus lacks
the power of eminent concentration. Or else, "liberated by wisdom" means
liberated while understanding; that is, knowing and penetrating the four
truths in the mode of full understanding, etc. wihtout contact with the
first jhana, he is "liberated" or distinctively freed by completeing the
functions (of penetration) by bringing those functions to their climax.
"Dry insight meditator": one whose insight is dry, rough, and unmoistened,
lacking the moisture of serenity meditation.
"Does not dwell suffusing the eight emancipations":this indicates the
absence of the power of eminent concentration. "Having seen with wisdom":
this indicates possession of the power of eminent wisdom">
The meaning of dry insight is interesting. I think of the text that someone
with dry insight becomes tired, kilamati, while the jhanalaabhi does not
tire. If someone truly has the skill for jhana it is an advantage, but we
should not underestimate the vasis, masteries. Now we are further away from
the Buddha's time. There are texts in the commentaries that arahats with the
four patiusambhidas will disappear (in this world), and also jhanalabhi
arahats. All arahats will disappear, and subsequently ariyans of the third,
second and first stage of enlightenment will disappear, the teachings will
disappear.
As Robert reminds us: < The Buddha sasana will soon be extinguished and it
will be a long time
before another samma-sammbuddha arises.>
Nina.