Meditative attainment

Meditative Attainment (Jhanasamapatti) is of two types:

1. Rupa-jhanas 

  1. The First Jhana,
  2. The Second Jhana,
  3. The Third Jhana,
  4. The Fourth Jhana.

2. Arupa-jhana (Formless Absorptions)

  1. Infinity of Space,
  2. Infinity of Consciousness,
  3. Nothingness of Space,
  4. Neither Perception nor Non-perception.

Together, the four Rupa-jhanas and four Arupa-jhanas are called the Eight Meditative Attainments. The Eight Meditative Attainments are not reserved only for Buddhists, they can be attained by anyone, but others usually do not use them as a way for ending suffering as in Buddhism.

There are two levels of Meditative Attainment: Attainment of Fruition (Phala-samapatti) and Attainment of Extinction (Nirodha-Samapatti). Attainment of Fruition is available to all Noble Ones. Attainment of extinction is available only to a Non-returner (Anagami) or Perfected One (Arahant) who has attained all Eight Meditative Attainments.

Jhana and Samapatti have the same meaning but are different terms because Jhana can be reached temporarily by someone who practices well, while Samapatti means lasting attainment. If extinguishing perception and sensation is added to the Eight Meditative Attainments, these nine are called Attainment of the Successive Abodes (Anupubbaviharasamapatti). The successive steps in attainment of extinction of perception and feeling are:

When one attains ... The following is extinguished:
1. The First Jhana Sensual perception,
2. The Second Jhana Applied thought and sustained thought,
3. The Third Jhana Joy or Rapture,
4. The Fourth Jhana Breathing in and out,
5. The Sphere of Infinity of Space Perception of form,
6. The Sphere of Infinity of Consciousness
 Perception in the Sphere of Infinity of Space
7. The Sphere of Nothingness of Space Perception in the Sphere of Infinity of Consciousness,
8. The Sphere of Neither Perception nor Non-perception Perception in the Sphere of Nothingness of Space
9. Extinction of Perception Perception and sensation.
2. Expertise Skill and Fluency 
The meditator who has attained a Jhana such as the First Jhana, will not advance to the next one if he or she does not practice to become fluent. This is called Vasi. It has five components:
Skill in ...
1. Recalling Jhana (Avajjanavasi),
2. Entering Jhana (Samapajjanavasi),
3. Stabilizing Jhana (Adhitdhanavasi),
4. Exiting Jhana (Vutdhanavasi),
5. Contemplating Jhana (Paccavakkhanavasi).
3. Causes for Degeneration of Jhana
1. Distraction (Kilesasamuddacarena), the mind becomes distracted by defilements, 
2. Discomfort (Asappaya Kiriyaya), for example, being unable to handle mental and physical suffering,
3. Neglect (Ananuyogena), lack of constant practice.

Expertise skill and fluency 

The meditator who has attained a Jhana such as the First Jhana, will not advance to the next one if he or she does not practice to become fluent. This is called Vasi. It has five components:
Skill in recalling Jhana (Avajjanavasi), entering Jhana (Samapajjanavasi), stabilizing Jhana (Adhitdhanavasi), exiting Jhana (Vutdhanavasi), and contemplating Jhana (Paccavakkhanavasi).

Causes for degeneration of jhana

  1. Distraction (Kilesasamuddacarena), the mind becomes distracted by defilements, 
  2. Discomfort (Asappaya Kiriyaya), for example, being unable to handle mental and physical suffering,
  3. Neglect (Ananuyogena), lack of constant practice.

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