The Word of the Buddha The Absorptions

¶ 44Having given up the five hindrances, impurities of the mind that weaken wisdom, entirely secluded from sensual pleasures and unwholesome mental states, he enters and dwells in the first jhāna, which is accompanied by thought and examination, born of seclusion, and imbued with uplifting joy and pleasure. This, brahmin, is called a footprint of the Tathāgata, a trace of the Tathāgata, a marking of the Tathāgata, but a noble disciple does not yet come to the conclusion: ‘The Blessed One is a perfectly Awakened One, the Dhamma of the Blessed One is well proclaimed, the Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples is practicing the good way.’

¶ 45Furthermore, brahmin, with the settling of thought and examination, a bhikkhu enters and dwells in the second jhāna, which is characterized by internal tranquility and unification of mind, free from thought and examination, born of collectedness, and imbued with uplifting joy and pleasure. This too, brahmin, is called a footprint of the Tathāgata, a trace of the Tathāgata, a marking of the Tathāgata. And yet the noble disciple does not come to the conclusion: ‘The Blessed One is a perfectly Awakened One, the Dhamma of the Blessed One is well proclaimed, the Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples is practicing the good way.’

¶ 46Furthermore, brahmin, with the fading of desire for uplifting joy, the bhikkhu dwells equanimous, mindful and clearly aware, experiencing pleasure with the body. He enters and dwells in the third jhāna, which the Noble Ones describe as, ‘one who dwells equanimous, mindful, and at ease.’ This too, brahmin, is called a footprint of the Tathāgata, a trace of the Tathāgata, a marking of the Tathāgata. Yet even at this point, the noble disciple does not come to the conclusion: ‘The Blessed One is a perfectly Awakened One, the Dhamma of the Blessed One is well proclaimed, the Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples is practicing the good way.’

¶ 47Furthermore, brahmin, with the abandoning of [bodily] pleasure and pain, and with the prior settling down of mental pleasure and displeasure, a bhikkhu enters and dwells in the fourth jhāna, which is characterized by purification of mindfulness through equanimity, experiencing a neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling. This too, brahmin, is called a footprint of the Tathāgata, a trace of the Tathāgata, a marking of the Tathāgata. Yet even at this point, the noble disciple does not come to the conclusion: ‘The Blessed One is a perfectly Awakened One, the Dhamma of the Blessed One is well proclaimed, the Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples is practicing the good way.’