Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

108 Vimuttimagga"Experiencing in the body that bliss" means to acquire ease of body.Q. Then, why is it said that there is no joy in this bliss and that it is notexperienced in the body?A. In the third meditation, jhdna, the faculty of bliss is removed. Thisis according to the teaching of the Blessed One which says, that in the thirdmeditation, jhdna, the faculty of bliss is removed."That bliss of which the Noble Ones say": "Noble Ones" means theBuddha and his disciples. "Say" means to reveal, establish, explain, pointout. Thus is "that bliss of which the Noble Ones say" to be known.Q. Why do the Noble Ones praise this state of body and not any other ?A. In the third meditation, jhdna, although the yogin can easily dwellin pleasing bliss, he does not hold to bliss. The Noble Ones dwell lookingbeyond bliss. This is an accomplishment of the Noble Ones. Therefore,the Noble Ones praise this excellent meditation, jhdna.Equani-"Endowed with equanimity and mindfulness, he abides in bliss":mity, mindfulness and bliss have already been explained."Abides in the attainment of the third meditation, jhdna": It is called"third" because of the second. The third meditation, jhdna, comprises equanimity,mindfulness, the state of being completely conscious, bliss and unificationof mind. The accomplishment of these is called (the third) meditation, jhdna."Abides in the attainment" means that one who acquires the third meditation,jhdna, separates from one factor, fulfils five factors, three kinds of goodness,ten characteristics and is associated with twenty-two merits.To dwell in the heaven world means to be born in the Abode of All Lustre. 1It is to be understood in the same way as it was taught in the first meditation,jhdna. "To dwell in the heaven world" is to dwell in that pleasant dwellingwhich is free from joy. "To dwell in the heaven world" is to dwell in amanner surpassing humans.SIMILE OF THE LOTUS PONDHence, the Buddha taught the bhikkhu thus: "Just as in a pond of blueand white lotuses, the blue, red and white lotuses are born, grow and standin the water and are immersed in the cold water from root to neck, so thisbody is filled and saturated with bliss that is free from joy". 2 As the blue,red and white lotuses stand in the water, so he abides in the third meditation,L Subhakinna.2. Chu Agon No. 98; M.II, 16; A.III, 26: Seyyathd pi bhikkhave uppaliniyam vdpaduminiyamvd pundarikiniyam vd app* ekacce uppaldni vd padumdni vd pundarikdni vd udakejdtdni udake samvaddhdni udakdnuggatdni antonimuggaposini tdni ydva c'aggd ydva camfdd sitena vdrind abhisanndni parisanndni paripurdni paripphutdni, ndssa kind sabbdvatamuppaldnarh vd padumdnam vd pundarikdnam vd sitena vdrind apphutam assa, evam evakho bhikkhave bhikkhu imam eva kdyarh nippitikena sukhena abhisandeti parisandetiparipiireti parippharatU ndssa kind sabbdvato kdyassa nippitikena sukhena apphutam hoti.