Tipitaka >> Sutta Pitaka >> Samyutta Nikaya >> Pancakanga Sutta
Adapted from Translation by Thanissaro Bhikkhu And Compared With Original Pali Version
SN 36.19 Pancakanga Sutta : Types of Bliss (Trance States) []
Note : The word 'meditation' means tranquillity of mind i.e. mind free from thoughts & focussed within
Then Pancakanga the carpenter went to Elder Monk Udayin and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As he was sitting there he said to Ven. Udayin, "Venerable sir, how many feelings/sensations has the Lord Buddha spoken of?"
Ven. Udayin, "House-dweller, the Lord Buddha has spoken of three feelings/sensations: a feeling/sensation of pleasure, a feeling/sensation of pain, a feeling/sensation of neither pleasure nor pain. These are the three feelings/sensations the Lord Buddha has spoken of."
When this was said, Pancakanga the carpenter said to Ven. Udayin, "The Lord Buddha has not spoken of three feelings/sensations. He has spoken of two feelings/sensations: a feeling/sensation of pleasure and a feeling/sensation of pain. As for the feeling/sensation of neither pleasure nor pain, the Lord Buddha has spoken of it as a refined pleasure."
A second time, Ven. Udayin said to Pancakanga the carpenter, "House-dweller, the Lord Buddha has not spoken of two feelings/sensations. He has spoken of three feelings/sensations...
A second time, Pancakanga the carpenter said to Ven. Udayin, "The Lord Buddha has not spoken of three feelings/sensations. He has spoken of two feelings/sensations...
A third time, Ven. Udayin said to Pancakanga the carpenter, "Housedweller, the Lord Buddha has not spoken of two feelings/sensations. He has spoken of three feelings/sensations...
A third time, Pancakanga the carpenter said to Ven. Udayin, "The Lord Buddha has not spoken of three feelings/sensations. He has spoken of two feelings/sensations...
Neither was Ven. Udayin able to convince Pancakanga the carpenter, nor was Pancakanga the carpenter able to convince Ven. Udayin.
Now, Ven. Ananda overheard this discussion between Ven. Udayin and Pancakanga. So he went to the Lord Buddha and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As he was sitting there he told the Lord Buddha of the entire discussion between Ven. Udayin and Pancakanga.
(The Lord Buddha said:) "Ananda, true was the exposition that Pancakanga the carpenter would not accept from Ven. Udayin. And true was the exposition that Ven. Udayin would not accept from Pancakanga the carpenter. There is the exposition by which I have spoken of two feelings/sensations, the exposition by which I have spoken of three feelings/sensations... five feelings/sensations... six feelings/sensations... eighteen feelings/sensations... 36 feelings/sensations... 108 feelings/sensations.(1) Thus I have taught the Dhamma by means of exposition. When I have taught the Dhamma by means of exposition, it can be expected that when there are those who do not consent to, assent to, or accept what is well-said and well-stated by one another, there will be arguing, quarreling, & disputing, and they will dwell wounding one another with the sword of the tongue. Thus I have taught the Dhamma by means of exposition. When I have taught the Dhamma by means of exposition, it can be expected that when there are those who do consent to, assent to, & accept what is well-said and well-stated by one another, they will live in harmony, with courtesy, without quarreling, like milk mixed with water, regarding one another with friendly eyes.
Worldly Sensual Pleasures Are Not the Highest
"Ananda, there are these five types of sensuality(Kaam-gunas). Which five? (1)Forms cognizable via the eye — agreeable, pleasing, charming, endearing, fostering desire, enticing. (2)Sounds cognizable via the ear— agreeable, pleasing, charming, endearing, fostering desire, enticing (3)Aromas cognizable via the nose— agreeable, pleasing, charming, endearing, fostering desire, enticing (4)Flavors cognizable via the tongue— agreeable, pleasing, charming, endearing, fostering desire, enticing (5)Tactile sensations cognizable via the body — agreeable, pleasing, charming, endearing, fostering desire, enticing. Now whatever pleasure or happiness arises in dependence on these five types of sensuality, that is called sensual pleasure. Though some might say, 'That is the highest pleasure & mental peace that beings experience,' I would not say that. Why is that? Because there is another bliss, much better & more superior than that.
Higher Bliss of First Trance(Jhana/Dhyan/Zen/Samadhi)-First Awakening Within Self[]
"And what, Ananda, is another bliss, much better & more superior than that? There is the case where a monk — quite withdrawn from sensual pleasures, withdrawn from harmful(akushala) qualities — enters & remains in the first jhana(trance): with bliss(pitisukham) born from withdrawal, but remaining with directed thoughts & (savittakam savicharam) & discernment (vivekajam). This is another bliss, much better & more superior than that. Though some might say, 'That is the highest bliss that beings experience,' I would not say that. Why is that? Because there is another bliss, much better & more superior than that.
(Note : With practice of meditation focusing on body & mind with equanimity, awareness is detached from senses & from body , withdrawn within spine & brain where a great light is perceived along with great bliss. Here mind is with thoughts)
Higher Bliss of Second Trance(Jhana/Dhyan/Zen/Samadhi)-Without Thoughts[]
"And what, Ananda, is another bliss, much better & more superior than that? There is the case where a monk, with the (tranquility) stilling of all (types of) thoughts (avittakam avicharam) , enters & remains in the second jhana (trance) of meditation (samadhi), with bliss(pitisukham) born of meditation, unification (singularity, Ekodibhavam) of awareness(chetaso) free from all (types of) thoughts & with internal assurance. This is another bliss, much better & more superior than that. Though some might say, 'That is the highest bliss that beings experience,' I would not say that. Why is that? Because there is another bliss, much better & more superior than that.
(Note : With state similar to earlier, tranquility of mind is also achieved along with greater bliss. Here mind is without thoughts)
Higher Bliss of Third Trance(Jhana/Dhyan/Zen/Samadhi)-Equanimous(beyond Likes & Dislikes)[]
"And what, Ananda, is another bliss, much better & more superior than that? There is the case where a monk, being equanimous(Upekkho) to bliss(Piti), he remains knowing-wholly(sampajano) about sensations (patisamvedeti) of the body(Kaayein) in meditation(Sato). He enters & remains in the third jhana (trance), of which the Noble-Ones (Ariya) declare, 'Equanimous(Upekkho) & mindful/meditating(Satima), he has a blissful abiding(Sukhvihari) .' This is another bliss, much better & more superior than that. Though some might say, 'That is the highest bliss that beings experience,' I would not say that. Why is that? Because there is another bliss, much better & more superior than that.
(Note : With state similar to earlier, equanimity of mind & body is also achieved along with greater bliss.)
Higher Bliss of Fourth Trance(Jhana/Dhyan/Zen/Samadhi)-Detachment[]
"And what, Ananda, is another bliss, much better & more superior than that? There is the case where a monk, with the abandoning of pleasure(sukkhassa) & pain(dukkhassa) as with the earlier, leaving both pleasant mind(somanassa) & stress/suffering mind(domanassa) — enters & remains in refined purity (paarisuddhim) of equanimous mindfulness/meditation( Upekkha Sati) alongwith absence of no-sorrow & no-elation(adukkham asukkham) (i.e. detachment) — the fourth jhana(trance). This is another bliss, much better & more superior than that. Though some might say, 'That is the highest bliss that beings experience,' I would not say that. Why is that? Because there is another bliss, much better & more superior than that.
( Note : Refinement of equanimous state within.)
Higher Bliss of Fifth Trance (Jhana/Dhyan/Zen/Samadhi)-Perception of Infinite Space(Worldly Dimension)[]
"And what, Ananda, is bliss, much better & more superior than that? There is the case where a monk, with the complete transcending(samatikamma) of (worldly) form-perceptions(Rupa-sannanam, sanskrit:sangyanam), with the disappearance of perceptions of resistance(patigha-sannanam), and not heeding perceptions of diversity(nanatta-sannanam) (within self), (now perceiving) 'Infinite space is this (ananto akasoti),' enters & remains in the dimension of the infinitude of space (akasa-ananch-ayatanam; sanskrit : anant akash ayatanam) (fifth trance state). This is another bliss, much better & more superior than that. Though some might say, 'That is the highest bliss that beings experience,' I would not say that. Why is that? Because there is another bliss, much better & more superior than that.
(Note : Can perceive into infinite space)
Higher Bliss of Sixth Trance (Jhana/Dhyan/Zen/Samadhi)-Omnipresence(in Worldly Dimension)[]
"And what, Ananda, is another bliss, much better & more superior than that? There is the case where a monk, with the complete transcending (samatikammam) of the dimension of the infinitude of space (akasa-ananch-ayatanam), (now perceiving) 'Infinite consciousness(anantam vinnananti) ,' enters & remains in the dimension of the infinitude of consciousness(vinnan-ananch-ayatanam; sanskrit: anant vigyan ayatanam) (sixth trance state). This is another bliss, much better & more superior than that. Though some might say, 'That is the highest bliss that beings experience,' I would not say that. Why is that? Because there is another bliss, much better & more superior than that.
(Note : Awareness expands out of body in all directions upto infinity, silently, being everywhere, perceiving all, omnipresence but in worldly plane)
Higher Bliss of Seventh Trance (Jhana/Dhyan/Zen/Samadhi)-Nothingness/Emptiness[]
"And what, Ananda, is another bliss, much better & more superior than that? There is the case where a monk, with the complete transcending(samatikammam) of the dimension of the infinitude of consciousness (vinnan-ananch-ayatanam), (now perceiving,) 'There is nothing(natthi kinchiti),' enters & remains in the dimension of nothingness(akinchan-ayatanam) (seventh trance). This is another bliss, much better & more superior than that. Though some might say, 'That is the highest bliss that beings experience,' I would not say that. Why is that? Because there is bliss, much better & more superior than that.
(Note : Realizing Nothingness/Emptiness of Worldly Dimension)
Higher Bliss of Eigth Trance (Jhana/Dhyan/Zen/Samadhi)-Transcendence from Worldly Plane[]
"And what, Ananda, is another bliss, much better & more superior than that? There is the case where a monk, with the complete transcending (samatikammam) of the dimension of nothingness (akinchan-ayatanam), enters & remains in the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception (nev-sanna-na-asanna-ayatanam; sanskrit : nev-sangya-na-asangya-ayatanam) (eigth trance). This is another bliss, much better & more superior than that. Though some might say, 'That is the highest bliss that beings experience,' I would not say that. Why is that? Because there is another bliss, much better & more superior than that.
Highest Bliss of Ninth Trance (Jhana/Dhyan/Zen/Samadhi)-Final Enlightenment-Nirvana[]
"And what, Ananda, is another bliss, much better & more superior than that? There is the case where a monk, with the complete transcending(samatikammam) of the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception (nev-sanna-na-asanna-ayatanam), enters & remains in the cessation of perception & feeling (sanna-vedayit-nirodham; Sanskrit : sangya vedana nirodham) (ninth final trance - state of nibbana). This is another bliss, much better & more superior than that. Now it's possible, Ananda, that some wanderers of other paths might say, 'Gotama the acsetic speaks of the cessation of perception & feeling/sensation (sanna-vedayit-nirodham) and yet describes it as bliss. What is this? How can this be?' When they say that, they are to be told, 'It's not the case, friends, that the Lord Buddha describes only pleasant feeling/sensation as included under pleasure. Wherever bliss is found, in whatever terms(in meditation), the Lord Buddha describes it as bliss.'"
(Note : Realizing Final , transcendental, non-worldly state of timelessness,super-consciousness, omnipresence, eternal life & eternal Bliss- The Nibbana State- after realizing which , there will be no rebirth therefore, hence no suffering ever i.e. supreme bliss for eternity.)
Notes:
1.See SN-36.22.
2.See Ariyapariyesana_Sutta too for the 9 types of Jhanas/Samadhi/trance states.
3.The whole purpose of following Buddha's path is to achieve the Jhana/Trance states mentioned here using
meditation(such as Zen,Samatha,Vipassana etc.) combined with morality (Sheel i.e. 5 precepts)