Dhyana
Dhyāna is a term in Sanskrit which refers to a type or aspect of meditation. It is a key concept in Hinduism and Buddhism. Equivalent terms are jhāna in Pāli, chán in Chinese, and zen in Japanese.
Dhyāna in Buddhism
Theravada Buddhism generally recognizes four progressive states of dhyāna, although the Pali Canon contains a scripture in which the Buddha mentions eight states. The reason for this discrepancy is not known. In East Asia, several schools of Buddhism were founded that focused on dhyana, under the names Chan, Zen, and Seon. According to tradition, Bodhidharma brought Dhyana to the Shaolin temple in China, through Tibet, where it came to be known first as chan, and then zen.
Jhanas can be described by the way of "factors", mental processes. First appear Vitakka, attention, then Vicara, then Piti, then Sukkha, both leading to the first Jhana.
Jhanic factors :
- First Jhana : Vitakka, Vicara, Piti, Sukkha, Ekkagata
As the meditator reaches this first Jhana, he can meditate without beeing disturbed by any thought or desire.
- Second Jhana : Piti, Sukkha,Ekkagata
All intellectual processes cease. There is only rapture, happiness,
and the object. The meditator perceives no Self looking at the object.
- Third Jhana : Sukkha, Ekkagata
Joy disappears.
- Fourth Jhana : Upekkha, Ekkagata
Even happiness disappears, leading to a state with neither pleasure nor suffering. The Buddha described the Jhanas as "the footsteps of the tathagata".
Traditionally, this fourth Jhana is seen as the beginning of attaining magical powers.
These four are rupajhanas, material jhanas. An additional four arupajhanas, which can be thought of as part of the fourth rupajhana, still consist in the two factors of Upekkha and Ekkagata.
Arupajhanas are non-material jhanas, which seem clear about the object
of the first arupajhana. Indeed, arupajhanas can be described
considering their object :
- Fifth Jhana : infinite space
- Sixth Jhana : infinite consciousness
- Seventh Jhana : nothingness
- Eighth Jhana : neither perception nor non-perception
Usually Jhanas are exposed as part of Samatha's practice, as opposed to Vipassana. But Vipassana jhanas are also mentioned.
Dhyāna in Hinduism
According to the Hindu Yoga Sutra dhyana is one of the eight methods of Yoga, (the other seven methods are Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, and Samadhi).
In the Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali, the stage of meditation preceding dhyāna is called dharana.
In Dhyana, the meditator is not conscious of the act of meditation
(i.e. is not aware that s/he is meditating) but is only aware that s/he
exists (consciousness of being), and aware of the object of meditation. Dhyana is distinct from Dharana in that the meditator becomes one with the object of meditation and is
able to maintain this oneness for 144 inhalations and expirations.
The Dhyana Yoga system is specifically described by Sri Krishna in chapter 6 of the famous Bhagavad Gita, wherein He explains the many different Yoga systems to His friend and disciple, Arjuna.
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