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Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

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of purity," one attains to the fourth rupa-dhyana.<br />

5. 6, 7. These are the first three of the arupa-dhyanas<br />

which may only be developed after the dhyanas of form<br />

have been perfected. In these states, one renounces the<br />

limitations of space, consciousness <strong>and</strong> limited "things,"<br />

<strong>and</strong> attains the state of neither perception nor<br />

non-perception.<br />

8. This is the great dhyana, in which both feeling <strong>and</strong><br />

perception totally cease. This attainment, very difficult<br />

for most, is the last worldly condition, <strong>and</strong> one who has<br />

achieved it is on the brink of the transcendental. From<br />

this, the meditator develops profound insight <strong>and</strong> may<br />

then become an Arhat.<br />

K. Realization of Samatha<br />

Here we shall outline the four rupa-dhyanas <strong>and</strong> the<br />

eighteen conditions which are the mental factors<br />

characterizing these states of concentration.<br />

1. The four steps leading up to the first dhyana<br />

a. Roughly abiding. At this stage of samatha attainment,<br />

the meditator can only abide for a short time <strong>and</strong><br />

roughly, his mind some times w<strong>and</strong>ering from the<br />

concentration.<br />

b. Subtly abiding. The body <strong>and</strong> mind become very pure<br />

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