Jhanas in Theravada Buddhism

by Henepola Gunaratana

the Theravada tradition is to read what the Suttas really say about the Jhanas. It is a path to Nibbana and it is not secondary in any way to so called "insight" meditation. The Buddha and Sariputta et al were Jhana masters. It was their primary meditation. On the Buddha's death he reached Nibbana by the Jhanas. The Suttas say that the Jhanas slope towards Nibbana. Basically, in my opinion the teachings of this great Jhana master (The Buddha) have been hijacked with a focus away from the Jhanas. To study what the Theravada says about the Jhanas is like looking at a pure object through a clouded lens.

Genres: Buddhism, Meditation

101 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1988

About the author

Bhante Henepola Gunaratana is the founding abbot of the Bhavana Society. Born in rural Sri Lanka, he has been a monk since age 12 and took full ordination at age 20 in 1947. He came to the United States in 1968. “Bhante G” (as he is fondly called by his students) has written a number of books, including the now-classic meditation manual Mindfulness In Plain English and its companion Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness. Bhante G regularly leads retreats on vipassana, mindfulness, metta (Loving-friendliness), concentration, and other topics both at the Bhavana Society and elsewhere.

Bhante Gunaratana is an internationally recognized author and meditation teacher. Prior to coming to the United States, he spent five years doing in missionary work with the Harijanas (Untouchables) of India and ten years in Malaysia. He has taught in a number of settings, including American University of Washington DC where he served as Buddhist chaplain and the Buddhist Vihara of Washington DC, where he served as president. Bhante G has a strong scholarly background and livelong commitment to dhamma.

In 1985 Bhante G co-founded the Bhavana Society and became its abbot. He wanted to teach meditation in an environment allowing for longer retreats and intense practice free from the trappings of a city vihara. He continues to teach in the direct, compassionate style that characterizes his books and articles. Bhante G conveys a well-rounded approach to Buddhist Dhamma, touching on all aspects of the Noble Eightfold Path. He emphasizes metta bhavana (the cultivation of loving-friendliness) as a basis for samma-samadhi, or right concentration. As a teacher, he is known for his emphasis both on samadhi and on metta as part of spiritual training.

In 1996, Bhante G received the title of Chief Sangha Nayaka Thera for North America. This acknowledged his status as highest-ranking monk of his sect in the United States and Canada. In 2003, his autobiography, Journey to Mindfulness, was published. In 2005, the Sri Henepola Gunaratana Scholarship Trust was founded under his guidance. This trust provides educations for poverty stricken children in rural Sri Lanka.

Bhante G continues to write articles, lead retreats, and teach at the Bhavana Society and all over the world.

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, authoritative survey of the special mental-physical states of deep absorption called the jhanas by a modern master of the Buddhist teachings.

If you're serious about following the Buddhist path, then at some point you will need to get serious about what the Buddha meant when he talked about Right Concentration--the final factor of his Noble Eightfold Path. The author describes these states of profound meditative absorption according to what is in the original sutras of the Buddha and in the commentaries, and even talks about their exact relationship with the experience of full-blown enlightenment. An excellent little book.

[James Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of the jhanas backed up by sutras, abhidhamma, commentaries and many other Theravada Pāli sources.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive and succinct overview of the orthodox Theravadan take on the jhanas. Covers origin and etymology of jhana, five hindrances and the jhanic factors, descriptions of each of the 8 jhanas, importance of the jhanas (by acknowledging there are people who go the path of samatha and others who do dry insight), and connection with the path of insight and Buddhist metaphysics. I don't find part 5 and 6 very useful (discussion of supramundane and noble disciples) but it was interesting.

For amount of useful information conveyed in such a short piece I highly recommend it for people who enjoy details, background, context, and references to original Pali terms. I still think Right Concentration is a more beginner-friendly book for the jhanas if you're trying to learn how to enter them. This one's more informative than practical.

[Ihor Kolesnyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ця книга - мапа для тих, хто практикує джняни або дг'яни у Тгераваді. Коротко і методично Генелопа Гунаратана пояснює, чому не треба уникати цих практик, як їх правильно застосовувати і для чого. Сподіваюся, людям, які знайомі із майндфулнес, книга допоможе побачити ціліснішу картину і масштаби роботи зі свідомістю.