Hello,

I am new to the group.

Here is a talk (on this subject) by Ajahn Brahm you all may be
interested in..

http://media.bswa.org/audio/sutta_study/Brahmavamso_2004_03_14.mp3

enjoy

--- In Pali@yahoogroups.com, "siteby" <sitalatwo@...> wrote:
> 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