We'll look at what the fourth jhana is in early Buddhism by considering its definition and the simile the Buddha provides to illustrate its character. We'll also consider some of the paradoxical nature of the early Buddhist approach to pleasures.
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✅ Videos mentioned:
The Third Jhana in Early Buddhism -- https://youtu.be/lA8QLaNpZ3I
Is the Mind Luminous? -- https://youtu.be/175JTI5AXc4
✅ Suttas mentioned:
https://suttacentral.net/sn45.8/en/sujato
https://suttacentral.net/mn39/en/sujato
https://suttacentral.net/mn59/en/sujato
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00:00 Intro
01:24 Definition of the fourth jhāna
01:48 Giving up pleasure, pain, happiness, sadness
03:01 The subtle problem with happiness
04:18 The paradox of higher pleasures
06:24 The simile of the fourth jhāna
08:18 Discussing the simile
10:00 Pure equanimity
10:54 Progression to higher forms of pleasure
12:16 The thorn to the fourth jhāna
13:40 Controversies over jhāna
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