Thanks again, Dmytro. I appreciate the explanation and it is an interesting connection. I'll have to try using the Brahmaviharas as concentration subjects as suggested in the Sankhitta Sutta. It seems like a good way to overcome the hindrances, combining the methods of overcoming by concentration and overcoming by opposites.
Metta,
Ray
----- Original Message -----
From: Dmytro A. Ivakhnenko
To: Ray Mondor
Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2005 4:34 AM
Subject: Re: [Pali] Upekkhaa
Ray,
> "the sequence of four brahma viharas is consonant to the sequence of
> four jhanas. It's not too surprising since in some suttas a certain
> stage of practice is described interchangeably as either four jhanas or
> four brahma viharas."
>
> This seems to say that
> metta corresponds to vitakka/vicara, piti, sukha, and samadhi,
> karuna corresponds to piti, sukha, and samadhi,
> mudita corresponds to sukha and samadhi, and
> upekkha corresponds to samadhi.
No. Brahma viharas can serve as a basis for developing consecutive jhanas.
See, for example, Sankhitta sutta
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/anguttara/an08-063.html
According to Vimuttimagga and Vimittimagga, three frist of brahmaviharas
can lead to three first jhanas, and upekkhaa can lead to fourth one.
So upekkhaa corresponds to upekkhaa of fourth jhana.
> I don't understand this. Can you explain the meaning and/or specify one
> or more of the suttas that discuss this idea?
What I mean is that in the description of Buddhist path Brahma-viharas
occupy about the same place as four jhanas.
See, for example, Udumbarika sutta (DN 20) where Brahma-viharas are
placed exactly where jhanas usually belong, between overcoming
hindrances and 'abhinna'.
Both jhanas and brahma viharas are placed between overcoming hindrances
and formless jhanas.
"Brethren, who is the brother that has reached deva consciousness ?
Herein a brother, aloof from sensual delights (and so forth), having
attained to the First Rapture, or the Second or the Third or the Fourth
Rapture abides therein.
"Verily, brethren, this is the brother who has attained to deva
consciousness.
"Brethren, who is the brother that has attained to Brahmaconsciousness?
Herein, a brother dwells diffusing one quarter with thoughts of loving
kindness, compassion, sympathy and equanimity; likewise the second
quarter, likewise the third quarter, likewise the fourth quarter. So
above, below, around, everywhere, and in all respects thus diffusing the
whole world, and with a heart full of loving-kindness (and so forth),
developed, grown great, measureless, benevolent and kindly, so he dwells.
"Verily, brethren, this is the brother that has reached Brahma
consciousness.
"Brethren, who is the brother that has reached the Imperturbable ?
Brethren, herein a brother, having gone utterly beyond all perception of
form and without thinking, about* the perception of opposition' and
unmindful of the idea of diversity, attains to and abides in the sphere
of unbounded space.* Having in all respects gone beyond the sphere of
unbounded space he attains to and abides in the sphere of infinity of
consciousness. Having in all respects gone beyond the sphere of infinity
of consciousness, he attains to and abides in the sphere of nothingness.
Having in all respects gone beyond the sphere of nothingness he attains
to and abides in the sphere of neither-pereeption-nor-non-perception.
"Verily, brethren, this brother has attained to the Imperturbable.
"Brethren, who is the brother that has attained to the Noble State ?*
Brethren, herein a brother knows as they really are This is Ill this is
Ill's cause ; this is Ill's cessation ; and this is the Path leading to
Ill's cessation.
Verily, brethren, this brother has attained to the Noble State."
http://metta.lk/tipitaka/2Sutta-Pitaka/4Anguttara-Nikaya/Anguttara2/4-catukkanipata/019-brahmanavaggo-e2.htm
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sagga/loka.html
Metta,
Dmytro
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