Jhanacittas - Discourse on Expunging

For those who have accumulations for jhāna there are many benefits since jhāna is kusala kamma of a high degree. One of the benefits is a happy rebirth, even for those who can attain only "access-concentration' or upacāra samādhi. However, even rebirth in a happy plane of existence is dukkha, since life in a happy plane may be followed by rebirth in an unhappy plane. Therefore, no birth at all is to be preferred to any kind of rebirth. This can be realized only by developing the wisdom which eradicates defilements. 

 

Jhāna is called in the teachings an 'abiding in ease, here, now' (for example,

'Discourse on Expunging', Middle Length Sayings I, No. 8). Those who are

advanced in the development of calm can have many jhānacittas in

succession, since they have cultivated conditions for this. They truly are

'abiding in ease, here, now'. However, the Buddha would point out that

'abiding in ease' is not the same as 'expunging' (eradication).

 

We read in the 'Discourse on Expunging' that the Buddha said to Cunda in

regard to the monk who could attain rūpa-jhāna: 

 

...It may occur to him: 'I fare along by expunging'.

But these, Cunda, are not called expungings in the discipline for an ariyan.

These are called 'abidings in ease, here, now' in the discipline for an ariyan.

 

With regard to the monk who could attain arupa-jhuna, the Buddha said: 

 

...It may occur to him: 'I fare along by expunging'.

But these, Cunda, are not called 'expungings' in the discipline for an ariyan;

these are called 'abidings that are peaceful' in the discipline for an ariyan...