[Yash RS]

In order to cultivate jhana, what Sensual faculties’ cravings must be suppressed (atleast), all the six senses or just the three- taste,touch and smell?

Is it possible for a person cultivating jhana to enjoy sounds and sights, as these belong to the Rupa category.

So for rupa jhana, only the above three should be suppressed, right?

[Lal]

1. To attain jhāna, one must transcend the kāma loka.

• We are trapped in kāma loka because we crave “close contact” (taste, smell, and body touch). However, we also use the other two sense faculties to fulfill such desires. For example, watching adult movies or talking about tasty food is done with kāma rāga.
• To attain a jhāna, one must overcome such desires.

2. That can be done in two ways:

(i) One must see (with wisdom) that the consequence of having such desires is to be trapped in kāma loka. Also, based on such temptations, we may do immoral deeds and be reborn in an apāya.

(ii) Kama rāga arises based on kāma saññā. To eliminate kāma rāga, one must overcome kāma saññā. If kāma saññā is inherent, we cannot overcome it. But kāma saññā is “mind-made” and can be overcome. See “Saṅgīti Sutta (DN 33.)“: “Paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ samāpannassa kāmasaññā niruddhā hoti.” OR “For someone who has attained the first absorption, sensual perceptions have ceased.”

• That is why I call it a “distorted saññā.”

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Yash RS, dosakkhayo

[Yash RS]

So only the three close contact( touch ,taste and smell) sensory cravings are to be eradicated or suppressed.

The other three ( sight, sound and thoughts) are used to access the above three.

If the close contact ones are eradicated or suppressed enough, we attain the Rupa jhana.

And if the other two- sight and sound, are eradicated or suppressed enough, we attain the Arupa jhana.

So  a person, having attained the Rupa jhana, would he have cravings to see beautiful sights and to hear melodious sounds?

[Lal]

“So  a person, having attained the Rupa jhana, would he have cravings to see beautiful sights and to hear melodious sounds?”

• Can such a person have kama sankappa or “sensual thoughts” (while in the jhana or when trying to get into the jhana)?

[Yash RS]

He won’t have Kama raga but still have Rupa raga though.

I got it now,Kama raga is for cravings of pleasure 

And Rupa raga only to see and hear?

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Jittananto

[Lal]

Yes. For example, an Anagami likes to see bhikkhus and other disciples and discuss things with them, but does not want to watch adult movies or discuss tasty foods.

• Anariya yogis who still have kama raga anusaya/samyojana will still not generate sensual thoughts while trying to get into the jhana or while in the jhana.

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Jittananto, Yash RS

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