Studies in the Origins of Buddhism c19.151

c19.151

The Importance of Jhana in Ancient Buddhism.—Having abandoned asceticism, Gotama is said to have fallen back on his childhood experience of Jhāna,¹¹² and it was that which led him to success. It would be only natural to expect that Jhāna should play a prominent part in his teachings. He is more than once described as Jhāyin,¹¹³ as engaged in Paṭisallāna,¹¹⁴ as earnestly advocating Jhāna.¹¹⁵ In several descriptions of the Way, Jhāna is accorded the chief place.¹¹⁶ ‘Samādhi’ figures importantly in more than one list.¹¹⁷ Prominent disciples are praised for their ability in Jhāna.¹¹⁸ An early Jinist text ridicules the upholders of Jhāna, meaning probably the Buddhists.¹¹⁹