1. Are you aware that two ancient yogis, Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputta, attained the fourth jhana?
Yes, I am aware. Actually, in one of the texts that talk about them, there is the following passage (Majjhima Nikāya 100):
Then it occurred to me,
Tassa mayhaṁ, bhāradvāja, etadahosi:‘I recall sitting in the cool shade of a black plum tree while my father the Sakyan was off working. Quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, I entered and remained in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected.
‘abhijānāmi kho panāhaṁ pitu sakkassa kammante sītāya jambucchāyāya nisinno vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharitā.Could that be the path to awakening?’
Siyā nu kho eso maggo bodhāyā’Stemming from that memory came the understanding:
Tassa mayhaṁ, bhāradvāja, satānusāri viññāṇaṁ ahosi:‘That is the path to awakening!’
‘eseva maggo bodhāyā’ti.Then it occurred to me,
Tassa mayhaṁ, bhāradvāja, etadahosi:‘Why am I afraid of that pleasure, for it has nothing to do with sensual pleasures or unskillful qualities?’
‘kiṁ nu kho ahaṁ tassa sukhassa bhāyāmi yaṁ taṁ sukhaṁ aññatreva kāmehi aññatra akusalehi dhammehī’I thought,
Tassa mayhaṁ, bhāradvāja, etadahosi:
‘I’m not afraid of that pleasure, for it has nothing to do with sensual pleasures or unskillful qualities.
‘na kho ahaṁ tassa sukhassa bhāyāmi yaṁ taṁ sukhaṁ aññatreva kāmehi aññatra akusalehi dhammehī’ti.