More about Dhyana

Summary

In this article, the author re-examines the meaning of the Pali term jhāna (Sanskrit dhyāna). Responding to previous scholars who translate jhāna as ‘trance’ or ‘ecstasy’, she argues that jhāna originally meant alert attention or musing and was a training in mindfulness rather than a mystical state. The article traces the etymology of dhyāna and notes that early texts use it to describe the Buddha’s deep, focused contemplation. The author analyses passages from the Majjhima Nikaya and other early suttas, showing that jhāna practice requires eliminating the hindrances and cultivating joy, tranquillity and equanimity. The article also considers the relationship between jhāna and other mental factors like sati (mindfulness) and samadhi (concentration). The author argues that the Pali canon does not support a rigid hierarchy of meditative states but emphasises constant mental alertness. She critiques modern interpretations that equate jhāna with hypnotic trance and urges translators to avoid using loaded terms. By comparing jhāna with everyday notions of musing, she emphasises the continuity between meditation and ordinary reflection. The article also explores the development of arupa-jhāna and later meditation manuals, noting that they represent later additions to the tradition.