The Practice Which leads to Nibbana - A Buddhist Library

w 72until it extends in all ten directions without limit around you. In thisway you will reach a stage when wherever you look you only seethe white nimitta. At this point you will not see any trace of anythingmaterial whether internal or external, but only be aware of the whitekasiöa object. Then you should keep your mind calmly concentratedon the white kasiöa object and when that has stopped changing andhas become stable then just keep your mind on one part of that whitekasiöa object and, like hanging a hat on a hook, place your mind andcontinue to note it as white, white.When your mind becomes calm and stable the white kasiöa objectwill also become calm and stable and also become exceedingly whiteand bright and clear. This also is a paÊibhŒganimitta that has beenproduced by expanding and extending the original white kasiöa sign.You must continue to meditate until you can keep your mindconcentrated on that white kasiöa paÊibhŒganimitta continuouslyfor one or two hours. Then the jhŒna factors will become veryprominent, clear, and strong in your mind. At that time you willhave reached the first jhŒna.Five JhŒna Factors1. vitakka = the directing and placing of the mind on the object ofthe white kasiöa paÊibhŒga nimitta.2. vicŒra = the sustained keeping of the mind on the object of thewhite kasiöa paÊibhŒga nimitta.3. p´ti = joy and liking for the object of the white kasiöa paÊibhŒganimitta4. sukha = pleasant feeling or happiness associated withexperiencing the object of the white kasiöa paÊibhŒga nimitta.5. ekaggata = one pointedness of mind on the object of the whitekasiöa paÊibhŒga nimitta.Each of the individual factors of jhŒna on their own are calledjhŒna factors, but when they are taken together as a group they are