Studies in the Origins of Buddhism c19.s2.1

c19.s2.1

Some texts regard the intellectual consideration of the Four Truths sufficient for their realization, and, by implication, think Jhāna companied with “right knowledge” (Sammādiṭṭhi). The theme of Jhāna had to be religious—e.g., the impermanence of all things—if it was to lead to the realization of religious dogmas. But there could be no realization and deliverance without Jhānic practice of some kind (see Kosambi on Abhidhammatthasaṅgaho p. 22. “Samādhinā asampayuttāni maggaphalāni na santi. So ca samādhi paṭhamajjhāniko vā hoti, dutiyādīnaṃ vā aññatarajjhāniko”. This is implicit in Buddhaghosa’s treatment in the Vm.). According to Lalita Vistara (I. 348) Gotama attained Enlightenment through “radically considering” (Yoniso manasikāra) the Four Truths after having reached the 4th Jhāna. Jhāna and a proper theme must be associated to attain deliverance.