Anupubbavihārasutta
Progressive Meditations
Nine progressive meditation states.
Translations
Anupubbavihārasamāpattisutta
The Nine Progressive Meditative Attainments
Nine progressive meditation states, explained in detail.
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Nibbānasukhasutta
Extinguishment is Bliss
Sāriputta declares that extinguishment is bliss, precisely because nothing is felt there. He explains this apparent paradox with reference to the nine progressive meditations.
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Gāvīupamāsutta
The Simile of the Cow
Just as a foolish cow can get in trouble wandering the mountains, a foolish mendicant can get lost practicing absorption if they do it wrongly.
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Jhānasutta
Depending on Absorption
The ending of defilements happens due to the practice of absorption meditation.
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Ānandasutta
By Ānanda
Ānanda exclaims how amazing it is that the Buddha has found a way to freedom while still experiencing the world. Questioned by the monk Udāyī, Ānanda recounts a discussion on advanced meditation with the nun Jaṭilagāhiyā.
Translations
Lokāyatikasutta
Brahmin Cosmologists
Two brahmin cosmologists ask the Buddha to decide between competing claims as to whether the cosmos is infinite. Rejecting metaphysical claims, the Buddha says that there is no end of the world that can be reached by traveling; but without reaching the end of the world you can’t be free of suffering.
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Devāsurasaṅgāmasutta
The War Between the Gods and the Titans
In the wars between gods and demons, they find safety only in their own fortress. Similarly, a mendicant finds safety in absorption.
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Nāgasutta
The Simile of the Bull Elephant in the Forest
A bull elephant, annoyed by living in the herd, goes off by himself. Similarly, a mendicant feeling crowded in a monastery goes off by themselves and happily meditates in seclusion.
Translations
Tapussasutta
With the Householder Tapussa
The householder Tapussa reflects that it is renunciation that distinguishes lay from monastic. The Buddha responds by giving a long account of his practice of absorption before awakening.