Many Buddhist followers and disciples, in their search for good masters or teachers, do not realize that the requisite for a good master or teacher is the attainment of the basic Jhanas, regardless of whether we are Mahayana or Theravada Buddhists. But what is the significance of attaining Jhanas actually?
In the journey of Buddhist cultivation, few milestones shine as brightly as the attainment of Jhanas. More than a meditative achievement, Jhanas are a gateway to profound transformation—unlocking inner joy, unshakable calm, and a mind steeped in wisdom.
That said, let’s discuss this topic in detail.
Basic Understanding of Jhana Meaning
The attainment of Jhanas is the basic level where we begin to unveil our full potential for developing insight and gradually move towards the light of wisdom.
Jhanas are divided into nine levels, with the first to third Jhanas belonging to the achievement of the first stage of Arahantship. From the attainment of the third to the fifth Jhana is the second stage of Arahantship. The third stage of Arahantship is from the level of the fifth to the seventh Jhana, while the fourth stage of Arahantship is from the seventh to the ninth Jhana.
Jhanas are therefore the manifestation of achieving Arahantship status. From the status of full Arahantship, one may further practice the Ten Perfections to enter the higher realms of both Bodhisattva or Buddhahood spheres.
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Exception to The Jhana Prerequisite
However, there are exceptions to the rule — there are some special entities in this world who do not need to attain Jhanas to gradually elevate to the status of Bodhisattva or Buddhahood realms. In similar terms, some students do not need to study pre-university courses to gain admission to a university, for these special students have certain abilities that exempt them from undergoing normal enrolment, allowing them to enter directly into university.
There are others, at the young age of ten years old, who have already entered university and graduated at the age of fourteen; these people are labelled as geniuses. In much the same way, there are special entities who can directly attain the Bodhisattva or Buddhahood realms, as these beings have made special vows and gained special attainments before coming to this Earth.
The attainment of Jhanas therefore, applies only to the general rule.
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How to Gain Jhanas?
It is important to know how we are able to acquire Jhanas, which is a very divine prize of achievement in this world. Unlike graduating from a university, which may have little lasting excitement, achieving the attainment of Jhanas gives an eternal impact on our life.
This is because we are transformed from a normal human being into one of extraordinary attainment — feeling inner joy within ourselves, radiating compassion towards everyone, showering loving-kindness, and, lastly, possessing equanimity in our mind, which calms and tranquilizes our heart.
To gain Jhanas, we must start young — living simply, eating simply, and resting on a simple bed. Wherever we go, we radiate kindness and are always helpful towards others.
Most important of all are our habitual actions of chanting mantras and sutras in the morning and evening, as well as constant pondering and contemplation in our daily life.
Through all these good practices, after years and years of performing them, we may one day suddenly feel a burning sensation in our body, followed by a revitalizing surge of energy, and then emit the Four Sublime States into our mind. This is the attainment of Jhanas.
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Jhanas, The Sign of A Successful Spiritual Training and Cultivation
There are times when Buddhists may ask themselves about the clues and divine signs of successful training and cultivation after undergoing so many years of hardship. Jhanas are the true reflection of attaining our goal of liberation, where we feel ecstatic, joyful, and tranquil in thought, while at the same time developing Prana — an energy force that can even provide special healing treatment to the sick.
Our mind will always feel calm and serene, and all our five senses will merge into one. Our physical needs for food, sleep, rest, recreation, and even awareness of our surroundings will become negligible.
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We will also develop a strong connection and communication with the divine beings around us. However, in attaining Jhanas, we must continue our efforts to maintain all virtuous actions so as not to lose this divine power in our life.
Many Buddhists do not realize that attaining Jhanas is the culmination of our hardship, training, and cultivation through profound exposure and suffering. Jhanas will come suddenly into our mind and body; there is no fixed time or duration for its ripening, as this divine power always arises unexpectedly.
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Final Thoughts
Many times, Buddhists do not even know of the existence of Jhanas in their pursuit of successful cultivation. Today, Jhanas are indeed difficult to attain due to our slack lifestyle in modern society. Children are no longer raised with proper parental guidance, nor are they instilled with discipline as they grow. All these simple, basic qualities are essential for spiritual training, molding us towards the potential of obtaining Jhanas in the future.
The only way to strive towards achieving Jhanas is to practice frequent pondering, contemplation, and reflection on our good deeds, to shower more compassion, loving-kindness, and, lastly, a magnanimous heart — ensuring our whole life is filled with virtuous actions. Then, and only then, can we arouse our mind so that one day our potential for the power of Jhanas will ripen.