Re: Jhana

I wander one thing, why every teacher requests a person who starts
to practice meditation, first to gain good concentration, then
proceed to contemplation on Vipassana objects. While in everywhere
in the Tipitaka Canon, there we find evidences of Higher Attainment
only after brief account of Dhamma. As soon as they have heard the
Dhamma expounded by the Buddha, one becomes Enlightened. Well, after
that Enlightenment, what does he do? He practices. For what sake
does he do it? for the sake of many, men, devas and all other
beings. The question is, Does he practice Meditation with gaining
Jhaana as the result? or does he not practice for the purpose of
Gaining Jhaana? or does he not need to practice at all?

For it seems, that once a person becomes Enlightened (gains
knowledge of Four Noble Persons), he may do whatever he wants, for
he is not going to commit any evil which is automatically will be
avoided by him. His whole nature of being will not allow him to do
so. There is no need to gain Jhaana too, for he already has that in
him.

with respect
sitalo

--- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, "rjkjp1" <rjkjp1@...> wrote:
> --- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, "Bhikkhu Pesala" <pesala@...> wrote:
> > > If one thinks that jhaana is essential, as several teachers
claim,
> one
> > may cultivate it for a year or two first. I don't see any harm
in
> that,
> > unless one dies before finishing the meditation course. I am
sure
> that
> > insight will come much more easily if one has already gained
jhaana
> > previously. However adept one becomes in jhaana, one may fail to
gain
> > magga and phala if one's perfections are not yet ripe, or if one
> fails
> > to find the appropriate guidance.
> >
> > ++++
> Dear venerable Pesala,
> It is often said that attaining jhana makes vipassana easier.
However
> while all kusala is supportive of insight I do not see this as
being
> so clearcut.
> The ones who could use jhana as basis for insight had mastery of
jhana,
> something beyond the capacity of beings of this time. Someone
could
> strive for years to attain jhana and not succeed, or take some
pleasant
> or strange concentration experience to be jhana. The ancient
> commentaries suggest that at this late stage in the sasana that
> sukkavipassaka is the most viable.
> Robertk