[pathfinder]

In Pañcaṅgika Sutta, the Buddha mentions 5 ways to be in “pañcaṅgikassa sammāsamādhissa”. The first 4 ways are jhanas. However the 5th way is as described:

Furthermore, the meditation that is a basis for reviewing is properly grasped, focused on, borne in mind, and comprehended with wisdom by a mendicant.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno paccavekkhaṇānimittaṁ suggahitaṁ hoti sumanasikataṁ sūpadhāritaṁ suppaṭividdhaṁ paññāya.

It’s like when someone views someone else. Someone standing might view someone sitting, or someone sitting might view someone lying down.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, aññova aññaṁ paccavekkheyya, ṭhito vā nisinnaṁ paccavekkheyya, nisinno vā nipannaṁ paccavekkheyya.

In the same way, the meditation that is a basis for reviewing is properly grasped, focused on, borne in mind, and comprehended with wisdom by a mendicant.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno paccavekkhaṇānimittaṁ suggahitaṁ hoti sumanasikataṁ sūpadhāritaṁ suppaṭividdhaṁ paññāya.

—

I don’t quite understand what is meant by the english explanation and the simile, paccavekkhaṇānimittaṁ seems like a key word. I’m at least glad that not all the ways for sammāsamādhi require jhana. The last way seem to involve pañña.

[Lal]

This sutta briefly summarizes the five ways to get to Sammā Samādhi and higher magga phala (above the Sotapanna stage).

• The first four ways are via the four jhanas. 
• The fifth way that you quoted is without going through jhana.
• All five ways require cultivating the lokuttara version of Satipaṭṭhāna. That requires understanding the ajjhatta and bahiddha stages, which we have discussed in recent posts, for example, “Sandiṭṭhiko – What Does It Mean?.”
• This is what we will be discussing in future posts, as I pointed out at the end of today’s post: “A Sensory Input Triggers (Distorted) Saññā and Pañcupādānakkhandha.”

So, you are correct in your last comment.

[pathfinder]

Thank you 🙏

[Author]

Posts