Chapter 46: The Graph & Equation of Jhana
Graph & Equation of
Meditative Absorption (jhana)
Jhana is one of the Lord Buddhaâs teachings which explains the natural phenomena of oneâs mind when achieving âdeep meditative calmnessâ occurring upon the ceasing of five mental hindrances namely (1) sensual desire (2) ill-will (3). drowsiness, sloth and torpor (4) wandering mind & anxiety and (5) doubt & hesitance. The practice of jhana has predated the Lord Buddhaâs establishment of Buddhism but without a successful enlightenment. Jhana or meditative absorption can be classified into different levels (1 to 4 material jhana and 5 to 8 immaterial jhana), and they are the state of mind which are, more or less, appropriate for magga-unification which can enable full enlightenment if practitioner has fulfilled the required cultivation of perfection or parami. Although jhana is a mental experience which many meditation masters try to explain when teaching their students, those who do not wish to take it as a religious practice may decline to learn or some may take it as something mystical and has certain stereotype about jhana meditation. Hence, we would like to take this opportunity to explain jhana experience with dhammonomic tools whereby variables are identified to solve corresponding equations and plot a graph which may be helpful to simplify jhana learning to all people across the world who have adequate background in mathematics.
First Meditative Material Absorption
(First Rupa-Jhana)
Factors of the first meditative
absorption (1st jhana)
(1) vitakka = applied thought:
comprises of 44 vitakka-cetasika and 11 pathama-jhana-citta, totaling 55 mental
faculties.
(2) vicara = sustained thought: comprises
of 44 vicara-cetasika and 11 pathama-jhana-citta, totaling 55 mental faculties.
(3) piti = joy: comprises
of 18 piti-cetasika, 11 pathama-jhana-citta, totaling 29 mental faculties.
(4) sukha = peaceful happiness: comprises of 62
somanas-vedana-cetasika, totaling 62 mental faculties.
(5) ekaggata = one-pointed concentration:
comprises of 111 ekagatta-cetasika, totaling 111 mental faculties.
Second Meditative Material Absorption
(Second Rupa-Jhana)
Factors of the second
meditative absorption (2nd jhana)
(1) piti = joy: comprises
of 18 piti-cetasika, 11 pathama-jhana-citta, 11 dutiya-jhana-citta, totaling 40
mental faculties.
(2) sukha = peaceful happiness: comprises of 62
somanas-vedana-cetasika, totaling 62 mental faculties.
(3) ekaggata = one-pointed concentration:
comprises of 111 ekagatta-cetasika, totaling 111 mental faculties.
Third Meditative Material Absorption
(Third Rupa-Jhana)
Factors of the third
meditative absorption (3rd jhana)
(1) sukha = peaceful happiness: comprises of 62
somanas-vedana-cetasika, totaling 62 mental faculties.
(2) ekaggata = one-pointed concentration:
comprises of 111 ekagatta-cetasika, totaling 111 mental faculties.
Fourth Meditative Material Absorption
(Fourth Rupa-Jhana)
Factors of the fourth
meditative absorption (4th jhana)
(1) upekkha = equanimity:
comprises of 47 upekkha-vedana-cetasika, totaling 47 mental faculties.
(2) ekaggata = one-pointed concentration:
comprises of 111 ekagatta-cetasika, totaling 111 mental faculties.
Equation:
Hypothesis: Increase in mental calm (samadhi)
leads to the decrease and ceasing of five mental hindrances (nivarana),
thus, gives rise to different levels of meditative absorption (jhana).
Jq = Power of jhana
q = Level of jhana
J1 = Power of first jhana
J2 = Power of second jhana
J3 = power of third jhana
J4 = power of fourth jhana
r = Mental factors of each meditative
absorption
v = variable = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
(rv)
r1 = vitakka
r2 = vicara
r3 = piti
r4 = sukha
r5 = ekaggata
r6 = upekkha
Equation of the First Jhana
J1 = vitakka + vicara + piti + sukha + ekaggata
J1 = Âķr12
+ Âķr22 + Âķr32 + Âķr42
+ Âķr52
r1 = Sum of 44
vitakka-cetasika and 11 pathama-jhana-citta
[mean value or (mr1) = r1÷
55]
r2 = Sum of 44 vicara-cetasika
and 11 pathama-jhana-citta
[mean value or (mr2) = r2÷
55]
r3 = Sum of 18 piti-cetasika
and 11 pathama-jhana-citta
[mean value or (mr3) = r3÷
29]
r4 = Sum of 62
somanas-vedana-cetasika [mean value or
(mr4) = 62]
r5 = Sum of 111 ekaggatta-cetasika
[mean value or (mr5) = 111]
Equation of the Second Jhana
J2 = Âķr32 + Âķr42
+ Âķr52
r3 = Sum of 18 piti-cetasika
and 11 pathama-jhana-citta
[mean value or (mr3) = r3÷
29]
r4 = Sum of 62
somanas-vedana-cetasika [mean value or
(mr4) = 62]
r5 = Sum of 111 ekaggatta-cetasika
[mean value or (mr5) = 111]
Equation of the Third Jhana
J3 = Âķr42 + Âķr52
r4 = Sum of 62
somanas-vedana-cetasika [mean value or
(mr4) = 62]
r5 = Sum of 111 ekaggatta-cetasika
[mean value or (mr5) = 111]
Equation of the Fourth Jhana
J4 = Âķr52 + Âķr62
r5 = Sum of 111 ekaggatta-cetasika
[mean value or (mr5) = 111]
r6 = Sum of 47 upekkha-vedana-cetasika
[mean value or (mr6) = 47]
Graphing:
Given the related variables and
corresponding equations above, we can create a graph as follows:
Right hand x-axis represents âvicaraâ
where the value is always positive.
Left hand x-axis represents âsukhaâ
where the value is always positive.
Upper y-axis represents âvitakkaâ where
the value is always positive.
Lower y-axis represents âpitiâ where
the value is always positive.
The crossing point of x-axis and y-axis
equals to zero and is the central point of âekaggataâ and âupekkhaâ at the same
time.
To plot the graph, we
first find âmrâ (mean values of r) from each equation of jhana and plot
them onto each corresponding axis where r forms a radius of a circle giving an
area of value of mental faculties. Thus,
the sum of all available areas equal to the power of jhana (Jq)
at each level.
To conclude, jhana
is a state of mind which many people find it hard to prove and measure. However, with the available details on
numbers of mental faculties taught by the Lord Buddha in abhidharma scripture,
we have adequate information to render the doctrine with dhammonomic expression
whereby equations can be derived and graphs can be accordingly plotted. As such, it will be much easier to comprehend
the phenomena of jhana and allow learners to find the approximate value
to indicate the level and power of jhana from onesâ practices.
By Pirajak Tisuthiwongse (Pittaya Wong)
Dhammonomics Inventor & Dharma
Wizard
21 September 2022
www.Meditation101.org
Source of Study:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhyana_in_Buddhism
Samatha & Vipassana Meditation by Phra Thepyanmongkol, Wat Luang Phor
Sodh Dhammakayaram, Rachaburi Province, Thailand
https://84000.org
