四禪

There are four stages of Dhyāna:-

• The First Dhyāna is called the Joyous Ground of Separating from Production ( 離生喜樂地 ), in which one's pulse stops.
• The Second Dhyāna is called the Joyous Ground of Production Samādhi ( 定生喜樂地 ), in which one's breath stops, but it does not mean death. It is another realm of consciousness. The outer breath ceases and an 'inner breath' comes to life.
• The Third Dhyāna is called the Wonderful Blissful Ground of Separating from Joy ( 離喜妙樂地 ), in which conscious thought ceases.
• The Fourth Dhyāna is called the Pure Ground of Renouncing Thought ( 捨念清淨地 ), in which all thoughts are abandoned. One can know what is happening in the heavens and among people. However, it is only the first step in cultivating the Way.