Difference between revisions of "Abhibháyatana"
(Created page with " abhibháyatana: the 8 'stages of mastery', are powers to be obtained by means of the kasina-exercises (s.kasina). In the Com. to M. 77, where áyatana is...") |
|||
| (One intermediate revision by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
| − | [[abhibháyatana]]: the 8 'stages of [[mastery]]', are [[powers]] to be obtained by means of the kasina-exercises (s.kasina). In the Com. to M. 77, where [[áyatana]] is explained by 'means' (kárana) it is said: "The [[abhibháyatana]] through their counteracting may [[master]] (suppress) the adverse states, and by means of [[higher knowledge]] they may [[master]] the [[objects]] of [[mind]]." They are means for transcending the [[sensuous sphere]]. | + | [[abhibháyatana]]: the 8 'stages of [[mastery]]', are [[powers]] to be obtained by means of the [[kasina]]-exercises (s.[[kasina]]). In the Com. to M. 77, where [[áyatana]] is explained by 'means' ([[kárana]]) it is said: "The [[abhibháyatana]] through their counteracting may [[master]] (suppress) the adverse states, and by means of [[higher knowledge]] they may [[master]] the [[objects]] of [[mind]]." They are means for transcending the [[sensuous sphere]]. |
The stereotype text often met with in the [[Suttas]] (e.g. D. 11, 33; M. 77; A. VIII, 65; X, 29) is as follows: | The stereotype text often met with in the [[Suttas]] (e.g. D. 11, 33; M. 77; A. VIII, 65; X, 29) is as follows: | ||
| Line 29: | Line 29: | ||
| − | As preparatory kasina-object for the 1st and 2nd exercise one should choose on one's [[own]] [[body]] a small or a large spot, beautiful or ugly, and thereon one should [[concentrate]] one's full undivided [[attention]], so that this [[object]] after a while reappears as [[mental]] reflex or image ([[nimitta]], q.v.) and, as it were, as something external. | + | As preparatory [[kasina]]-[[object]] for the 1st and 2nd exercise one should choose on one's [[own]] [[body]] a small or a large spot, beautiful or ugly, and thereon one should [[concentrate]] one's full undivided [[attention]], so that this [[object]] after a while reappears as [[mental]] reflex or image ([[nimitta]], q.v.) and, as it were, as something external. |
| − | Such an exercise, though appearing quite mechanical, if properly carried out will bring about a high [[degree]] of [[mental concentration]] and entrance into the [[4 absorptions]] (jhána, q.v.). In the 3rd and 4th exercises the [[monk]] by an external kasina-object gains the [[mental]] reflexes and absorptions. As [[objects]] of the remaining exercises, perfectly clear and radiant colors should be chosen, [[flowers]], cloth, etc. | + | Such an exercise, though appearing quite mechanical, if properly carried out will bring about a high [[degree]] of [[mental concentration]] and entrance into the [[4 absorptions]] ([[jhána]], q.v.). In the 3rd and 4th exercises the [[monk]] by an external [[kasina]]-[[object]] gains the [[mental]] reflexes and absorptions. As [[objects]] of the remaining exercises, perfectly clear and radiant colors should be chosen, [[flowers]], cloth, etc. |
| + | A kasina-object of small size is said to be suitable for a [[mentally]] unsteady [[nature]], one of a large size for a dull [[nature]], a beautiful [[object]] for an [[angry]] [[nature]], an ugly one for a [[lustful]] [[nature]]. | ||
| + | In Vis.M. V it is said: "By means of the [[earth]]-[[kasina]] one succeeds in reaching the stage of [[mastery]] with regard to small and large [[objects]] .... | ||
| + | |||
| + | By means of the blue-[[kasina]] one succeeds in causing blue [[forms]] to appear, in producing {{Wiki|darkness}}, in reaching the stage of [[mastery]] with regard to beautiful and ugly colours, in reaching '[[deliverance]] through the beautiful', etc." (cf. [[vimokkha]] II, 3). | ||
| + | |||
| + | The same is also said with regard to the other {{Wiki|colour}} [[kasinas]]. | ||
Latest revision as of 10:08, 18 November 2020
abhibháyatana: the 8 'stages of mastery', are powers to be obtained by means of the kasina-exercises (s.kasina). In the Com. to M. 77, where áyatana is explained by 'means' (kárana) it is said: "The abhibháyatana through their counteracting may master (suppress) the adverse states, and by means of higher knowledge they may master the objects of mind." They are means for transcending the sensuous sphere.
The stereotype text often met with in the Suttas (e.g. D. 11, 33; M. 77; A. VIII, 65; X, 29) is as follows:
(1) "Perceiving (blue..., red..., yellow..., white) forms on one's own body, one sees forms
externally small ones, beautiful or ugly; and in mastering these one understands: 'I know, I
understand.' This is the first stage of mastery.
(2) "Perceiving forms on one's own body, one sees forms externally, large ones .... This is the second stage of mastery.
(3) "Not perceiving forms on one's own body, one sees forms externally, small ones .... This is the third stage of mastery.
(4) "Not perceiving forms on one's own body, one sees forms externally, large ones .... This is the fourth stage of mastery.
(5) "Not perceiving forms on one's own body, one sees forms externally, blue forms, forms of blue color, blue appearance, blue lustre, and mastering these one understands: 'I know, I understand. This is the fifth stage of mastery."
(6-8) The same is repeated with yellow, red and white forms.
As preparatory kasina-object for the 1st and 2nd exercise one should choose on one's own body a small or a large spot, beautiful or ugly, and thereon one should concentrate one's full undivided attention, so that this object after a while reappears as mental reflex or image (nimitta, q.v.) and, as it were, as something external.
Such an exercise, though appearing quite mechanical, if properly carried out will bring about a high degree of mental concentration and entrance into the 4 absorptions (jhána, q.v.). In the 3rd and 4th exercises the monk by an external kasina-object gains the mental reflexes and absorptions. As objects of the remaining exercises, perfectly clear and radiant colors should be chosen, flowers, cloth, etc.
A kasina-object of small size is said to be suitable for a mentally unsteady nature, one of a large size for a dull nature, a beautiful object for an angry nature, an ugly one for a lustful nature.
In Vis.M. V it is said: "By means of the earth-kasina one succeeds in reaching the stage of mastery with regard to small and large objects ....
By means of the blue-kasina one succeeds in causing blue forms to appear, in producing darkness, in reaching the stage of mastery with regard to beautiful and ugly colours, in reaching 'deliverance through the beautiful', etc." (cf. vimokkha II, 3).
The same is also said with regard to the other colour kasinas.
