dhyāna [jhāna] meditation, absorption. Dhyāna is a technical term which pertains to the process of quieting the mind, concentrating it on a particular object and reaching the state where there is neither pain nor pleasure. This state is acquired through stages. Dhyāna is described as one of the threefold practices. It forms the eighth constituent of the Noble Eightfold Path.     There are four meditative absorptions (dhyāna-s) in the realm of form. The absorption pertaining to the formless realm is a quiet state of mind in which there is complete cessation of thoughts.     In the first dhyāna one is free from the five kinds of hindrances, namely, sensual desire, hatred, sloth and torpor, restlessness and worry, and indecision leading to scepticism. One is endowed with thought-conception (vitarka) [vitakka], discursive thinking (vicāra) [vicāra], one-pointedness (ekāgratā) [ekaggatā], rapture (prīti) [pīti] and joy (sukha) [sukha]. In the second dhyāna rapture, joy and one-pointedness are present whereas thought-conception and discursive thinking are absent. In the third dhyāna only joy and one-pointedness remain. In the fourth dhyāna equanimity and concentration are present. Thought-conception means lifting the mind towards the object of contemplation in order to fix it there. Discursive thinking helps one to concentrate the mind on the object of contemplation for a long period of time. Rapture is a feeling of delight and contentment. Joy is relishing the taste of an object that gives rapture. One-pointedness means focusing of mind on the object of contemplation.     In the Abhidhamma a fivefold division of dhyāna is mentioned. In the second dhyāna according to Abhidhamma the constituent of discursive thinking, and a departure from thought-conception are found. The third, fourth and fifth dhyāna-s correspond to the second, third and fourth dhyāna-s described above.     The difference between thought-conception and discursive thinking is compared to the state of a bird flapping its wings to ascend into the air and to the state of subsequent calm position of wings while flying in the air.

     In dhyāna the contact of sense organs with their objects is suspended. However, the lucidity of mind and equanimity of heart are experienced. The heart becomes serene and steady, pure and translucent. The dhyāna-s are means and not ends in themselves. They give the practitioner a spiritual religious experience which goes beyond thought and investigation.

Buddhānusmṛti - A Glossary of Buddhist Terms

Aṭṭhasālinī. I. 173, 220, 241, 249, 258, 267-290, 314-315, 320. Aṅguttara Nikāya. Jhāna. A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma. II. 81-82, 93-94. Dīgha Nikāya. Sāmaññaphala. Majjhima Nikāya. Ākaṅkheyya, Anupada, Araṇavibhaṅga, Dhātuvibhaṅga, Vitakkasaṇṭhāna. Saṃyutta Nikāya. Jhānābhiññā. Visuddhimagga. IV. 111-137.