Dear friends,

Thanissaro Bhikkhu has written an excellent and, for me, clarifying,
essay on this very topic:
http://accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/thanissaro/onetool.html

With metta,
John

--- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, "junet9876" <junet9876@...> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I think you do need the jhanas as they are samma-samadhi (right
> concentration) and a factor of the Noble Eightfold Path, but perhaps
> they don't need to be specifically developed for the realization of
> Nirvana...in the dry insight method, I suppose the time when the
> meditator attains the path and fruit, the supramundane consciousnesses
> (lokuttara cittas) that arise then constitute the first jhana. (I hope
> I said that correctly, check out the Abhidhamma:
> http://zencomp.com/greatwisdom/ebud/abhisgho/abhis01.htm)
>
> There are two methods of meditation that I know of:
> 1) developing both samatha (calm) and vipassana (insight) meditation
> 2) developing vipassana meditation alone ("dry insight").
>
> Obviously some calm is needed to progress in the dry insight method as
> well, but what is referred to as "samatha meditation" in the first
> method is meditation that is specifically developed to attain the
> jhanas, leading to the attainment of supernatural powers (abhinnas).
> So samatha meditation, or developing the jhanas, isn't needed in the
> second method. Vipassana meditation is essential for the realization
> of Nirvana, however, regardless of which path you follow.
> (http://www.lawofkarma.net/lptong/diff.html)
>
> Vipassana meditation based on the four foundations of mindfulness is
> supposed to be the quickest route to Nirvana
> (http://www.lawofkarma.net/lptong/vipassana/howto.html). I have no
> idea why the Buddha didn't emphasize it more in the Tipitaka...and I
> have nothing against the jhanas either. I personally practice the dry
> insight method, but I want the jhanas as well sometimes in the future.
>
> There are currently two great meditation masters in Thailand who teach
> the dry insight way:
> 1. Ven. Ajahn Tong (http://www.lawofkarma.net/lptong/index.html)
> 2. Luang Paw Jarun (http://www.lawofkarma.net/lpjarun/index.html)
> I would suggest visiting them if you are interested in the ending of
> suffering.
>
> If you are interested in the jhanas, Ajahn Brahm in Australia is a
> great teacher (http://www.bswa.org)
>
> I totally understand the debate. I think it more depends on your karma
> which path you follow...and perhaps the aspirations you made in your
> previous life/lives?
>
> Cheers,
> June