Buddha Abhidhamma - Ultimate Science - BuddhaNet

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He is now at the stage of pañibhàga-nimitta and appanà-bhàvanà.
This means that the object of appanà-bhàvanà. This means that the
object of appanà-bhàvanà is the counter-image of the earth-circle.
Towards the Second and Higher Jhànas
The yogi (meditator), who has attained the first jhàna, should
develop five kinds of abilities with respect to that jhàna. These
abilities are called ‘vasitàs’, meaning literally ‘habits’.
1 âvajjana-vasità – the ability to reflect on the jhàna factors
quickly;
2 Samàpajjana-vasità – the ability to attain the jhàna
quickly;
3 Adhitthàna-vasità – the ability to remain in the jhàna as
long as one wishes;
4 Vutthàna-vasità – the ability to come out from the jhàna
(meditative absorption) at the moment one has predetermined,
eg one hour after getting to jhàna;
5 Paccavekkhaõa-vasità – the ability to review the jhàna
factors quickly by reducing the number of bhavaïgacittas
between vãthis.
Now in order to eliminate vitakka to go up to the second
jhàna, the yogi contemplates on the coarse nature of vitakka how
it can divert the mind towards a sensuous object and thus destroy
the jhàna. He also contemplates on the subtle nature of the second
jhàna which is free from vitakka.
Then concentrating on the pañibhàga-nimitta of pathavã-kasiõa,
he tries to develop the three stages of bhàvanà in the normal order
of parikamma, upacàra and appanà, without letting vitakka associate
with the citta. This series of bhàvanà without a desire for vitakka