Connected Discourses on Meditation:
[n.297] Jhānasaṃyutta is also the title of SN 53, which concerns the four jhānas as meditative attainments. Since the present saṃyutta focuses on the process of meditation rather than on the results, I have translated the title accordingly. The saṃyutta is constructed as a “wheel” (cakka) showing all the possible dyadic permutations of eleven skills related to meditation practice. Each pair is further considered by way of the four possibilities: possession of one but not the other, possession of neither, and possession of both. The last is always the best. Spk states that this entire Jhānasaṃyutta is discussed by way of mundane jhāna.
Several of the skills are mentioned elsewhere: six at AN III 311,27-30; a partly overlapping six at AN III 427,25-428,4; and seven at AN IV 34,5-9. Between them these other sources cover all the skills dealt with here except “skill in the object” (ārammaṇakusala), which seems to be unique to this saṃyutta. The explanations at Mp III 354-55 correspond closely to those of Spk, but a few minor differences will be noted below.
SN34:1 Attainment in relation to Concentration
- DG BB TBW © Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. (More copyright information)
1At Sāvatthī. "Bhikkhus, there are these four kinds of meditators. What four? sn.iii.264
"Here, bhikkhus, a meditator is skilled in concentration regarding concentration but not skilled in attainment regarding concentration.
[n.298] Spk: Skilled in concentration (samādhikusala): skilled in determining the factors thus, "The first jhāna has five factors, the second three factors," etc. But not skilled in attainment regarding concentration (na samādhismiṃ samāpattikusala): though he makes the mind pliant by gladdening it (Spk-pṭ: by removing the opposed states and collecting the cooperative causes), he is unable to attain the jhāna.
Mp III 354, on samāpattikusala: "Having collected suitable food and climate, he is skilled in attaining concentration—adroit, capable, and adept at it."
I doubt these explanations capture the intended meaning and think it more likely skill in attainment is synonymous with the "mastery in attainment" (samāpattivasī) described at Paṭis I 100 thus: "He attains the first jhāna (etc.) where, when, and for as long as he wishes; he has no difficulty in attaining."
"Here a meditator is skilled in attainment regarding concentration but not skilled in concentration regarding concentration.
"Here a meditator is skilled neither in concentration regarding concentration nor in attainment regarding concentration.
"Here a meditator is skilled both in concentration regarding concentration and in attainment regarding concentration.
"Therein, bhikkhus, the meditator who is skilled both in concentration regarding concentration and in attainment regarding concentration is the chief, the best, the foremost, the highest, the most excellent of these four kinds of meditators.
"Just as, bhikkhus, from a cow comes milk, from milk comes cream, from cream comes butter, from butter comes ghee, and from ghee comes cream-of-ghee, [n.299] Sappimaṇḍa. See II, n. 64. which is reckoned the best of all these, so too the meditator who is skilled both in concentration regarding concentration and in attainment regarding concentration is the chief, the best, the foremost, the highest, the most excellent of these four kinds of meditators."
1Sāvatthinidānaṁ. "Cattārome, bhikkhave, jhāyī. Katame cattāro?
Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco jhāyī samādhismiṁ samādhikusalo hoti, na samādhismiṁ samāpattikusalo.
Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekacco jhāyī samādhismiṁ samāpattikusalo hoti, na samādhismiṁ samādhikusalo.
Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekacco jhāyī neva samādhismiṁ samādhikusalo hoti, na ca samādhismiṁ samāpattikusalo.
Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekacco jhāyī samādhismiṁ samādhikusalo ca hoti, samādhismiṁ samāpattikusalo ca.
Tatra, bhikkhave, yvāyaṁ jhāyī samādhismiṁ samādhikusalo ca hoti samādhismiṁ samāpattikusalo ca ayaṁ imesaṁ catunnaṁ jhāyīnaṁ aggo ca seṭṭho ca mokkho ca uttamo ca pavaro ca.
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, gavā khīraṁ, khīramhā dadhi, dadhimhā navanītaṁ, navanītamhā sappi, sappimhā sappimaṇḍo tatra aggamakkhāyati; evameva kho, bhikkhave, yvāyaṁ jhāyī samādhismiṁ samādhikusalo ca hoti samādhismiṁ samāpattikusalo ca ayaṁ imesaṁ catunnaṁ jhāyīnaṁ aggo ca seṭṭho ca mokkho ca uttamo ca pavaro cā"ti.
Paṭhamaṁ.