Early Buddhist Meditation

The Four Jhanas as the Actualization of Insight

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Cultural Studies, Ethnic Studies, Religion & Spirituality, Eastern Religions, Buddhism
Cover of the book Early Buddhist Meditation by Keren Arbel, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Keren Arbel ISBN: 9781317383987
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: March 16, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Keren Arbel
ISBN: 9781317383987
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: March 16, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

This book offers a new interpretation of the relationship between 'insight practice' (satipatthana) and the attainment of the four jhànas (i.e., right samàdhi), a key problem in the study of Buddhist meditation. The author challenges the traditional Buddhist understanding of the four jhànas as states of absorption, and shows how these states are the actualization and embodiment of insight (vipassanà). It proposes that the four jhànas and what we call '*vipassanà'*are integral dimensions of a single process that leads to awakening.

Current literature on the phenomenology of the four jhànas and their relationship with the 'practice of insight' has mostly repeated traditional Theravàda interpretations. No one to date has offered a comprehensive analysis of the fourfold jhàna model independently from traditional interpretations. This book offers such an analysis. It presents a model which speaks in the Nikàyas' distinct voice. It demonstrates that the distinction between the 'practice of serenity' (samatha-bhàvanà) and the 'practice of insight' (vipassanà-bhàvanà) – a fundamental distinction in Buddhist meditation theory – is not applicable to early Buddhist understanding of the meditative path. It seeks to show that the common interpretation of the jhànas as 'altered states of consciousness', absorptions that do not reveal anything about the nature of phenomena, is incompatible with the teachings of the Pàli Nikàyas.

By carefully analyzing the descriptions of the four jhànas in the early Buddhist texts in Pàli, their contexts, associations and meanings within the conceptual framework of early Buddhism, the relationship between this central element in the Buddhist path and 'insight meditation' becomes revealed in all its power.

Early Buddhist Meditation will be of interest to scholars of Buddhist studies, Asian philosophies and religions, as well as Buddhist practitioners with a serious interest in the process of insight meditation.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book offers a new interpretation of the relationship between 'insight practice' (satipatthana) and the attainment of the four jhànas (i.e., right samàdhi), a key problem in the study of Buddhist meditation. The author challenges the traditional Buddhist understanding of the four jhànas as states of absorption, and shows how these states are the actualization and embodiment of insight (vipassanà). It proposes that the four jhànas and what we call '*vipassanà'*are integral dimensions of a single process that leads to awakening.

Current literature on the phenomenology of the four jhànas and their relationship with the 'practice of insight' has mostly repeated traditional Theravàda interpretations. No one to date has offered a comprehensive analysis of the fourfold jhàna model independently from traditional interpretations. This book offers such an analysis. It presents a model which speaks in the Nikàyas' distinct voice. It demonstrates that the distinction between the 'practice of serenity' (samatha-bhàvanà) and the 'practice of insight' (vipassanà-bhàvanà) – a fundamental distinction in Buddhist meditation theory – is not applicable to early Buddhist understanding of the meditative path. It seeks to show that the common interpretation of the jhànas as 'altered states of consciousness', absorptions that do not reveal anything about the nature of phenomena, is incompatible with the teachings of the Pàli Nikàyas.

By carefully analyzing the descriptions of the four jhànas in the early Buddhist texts in Pàli, their contexts, associations and meanings within the conceptual framework of early Buddhism, the relationship between this central element in the Buddhist path and 'insight meditation' becomes revealed in all its power.

Early Buddhist Meditation will be of interest to scholars of Buddhist studies, Asian philosophies and religions, as well as Buddhist practitioners with a serious interest in the process of insight meditation.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Feeling the Words by Keren Arbel
Cover of the book Video Field Production and Editing by Keren Arbel
Cover of the book Staging the Peninsular War by Keren Arbel
Cover of the book Blended Basic Language Courses by Keren Arbel
Cover of the book The Psychology of Touch by Keren Arbel
Cover of the book University Trends by Keren Arbel
Cover of the book Securing Africa by Keren Arbel
Cover of the book Early Modern Europe 1500-1789 by Keren Arbel
Cover of the book Queer (Re)Readings in the French Renaissance by Keren Arbel
Cover of the book Ancient Wisdom for Modern Minds by Keren Arbel
Cover of the book New Perspectives in Special Education by Keren Arbel
Cover of the book Getting to Grips with GNVQs by Keren Arbel
Cover of the book Risk-Based Auditing by Keren Arbel
Cover of the book Blues: The Basics by Keren Arbel
Cover of the book Critical Gaming: Interactive History and Virtual Heritage by Keren Arbel
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy