झान
Jhāna
Meditative Absorption / Jhana
禪那
Grammar 語法
neuter noun (a-stem): from jhāyati (to meditate/contemplate)
Definition 釋義
The meditative absorptions — profound states of unified, blissful concentration. The four rūpa-jhānas (form-sphere absorptions) are: (1) first jhāna — applied thought (vitakka) + sustained thought (vicāra) + rapture (pīti) + pleasure (sukha) + one-pointedness (ekaggatā); (2) second jhāna — internal stillness + pīti + sukha + ekaggatā; (3) third jhāna — equanimity (upekkhā) + sukha + ekaggatā; (4) fourth jhāna — pure equanimity + ekaggatā. Four more arūpa-jhānas (formless absorptions) follow. The Chinese character for 'Chan' (禪) and 'Zen' (禅) both derive from this Pali/Sanskrit term.
Canonical Example 典籍例句
Paṭhamaṃ jhānaṃ upasampajja viharati savitakkaṃ savicāraṃ vivekajaṃ pītisukhaṃ.
Entering and dwelling in the first jhāna, which has applied and sustained thought, with rapture and pleasure born of seclusion.
Source: DN 2 (Sāmaññaphala Sutta)
At a Glance
- Pali
- Jhāna
- IAST
- Dhyāna
- Devanagari
- झान
- Chinese
- 禪那
- Difficulty
- intermediate
Related Words
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