The Practice Which leads to Nibbana - A Buddhist Library

(uggahanimitta), and when you see a part and discern it as repulsive,this repulsiveness is the counterpart sign or paÊibhŒga nimitta.By paying attention to and developing this paÊibhŒga nimitta ofthe repulsiveness of bones you can attain the first jhŒna at whichtime the five jhŒna factors listed below will be present. You candevelop the other parts of the body in a similar way to attain firstjhŒna based on repulsiveness for each part.Five JhŒna Factors1. vitakka = the directing and placing of the mind on the object ofthe repulsiveness of bones.2. vicŒra = the sustained keeping of the mind on the object of therepulsiveness of bones.3. p´ti = joy and liking for the object of the repulsiveness of bones.4. sukha = pleasant feeling or happiness associated with experiencingthe object of the repulsiveness of bones.5. ekaggata = one pointedness of mind on the object of therepulsiveness of bones.Joy And Happiness (p´ti somanassa)A question arises as to how joy and happiness can arise withthe repulsiveness of the skeleton as an object. The answer is thatalthough in this method of attention to repulsiveness the skeleton isreally a repulsive object, you have undertaken this meditation seeingthe benefits of it and understanding that you will attain freedom fromageing, sickness, and death. Also joy and happiness can arise becauseyou have removed the defilements of the five hindrances whichcause the mind to be hot and tired.It is just like a person who sells manure would be delighted to seea big heap of manure thinking, ÒI will earn a lot of money from this.ÓOr like a person who is severely ill is relieved, happy and joyful tohave vomited or passed diarrhoea.w 67