Saṁyutta Nikāya 40.1 1.

The First Question on the First Jhana

Moggallānavagga Paṭhamajhānapañhāsutta Ekaṁ samayaṁ āyasmā mahāmoggallāno sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

At one time, the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna was staying in Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.

Tatra kho āyasmā mahāmoggallāno bhikkhū āmantesi: “āvuso bhikkhave”ti.

There, the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna addressed the disciples: Friends, disciples.

“Āvuso”ti kho te bhikkhū āyasmato mahāmoggallānassa paccassosuṁ.

Friend, those disciples replied to the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna.

Āyasmā mahāmoggallāno etadavoca: “Idha mayhaṁ, āvuso, rahogatassa paṭisallīnassa evaṁ cetaso parivitakko udapādi: ‘paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ, paṭhamaṁ jhānan’ti vuccati.

The Venerable Mahāmoggallāna said this: Here, friends, while I was alone in seclusion, a reflection arose in my mind: The first jhana, the first jhana, it is said.

Katamaṁ nu kho paṭhamaṁ jhānanti?

Now what is the first jhana?

Tassa mayhaṁ, āvuso, etadahosi: ‘idha bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

Then, friends, it occurred to me: Here, a disciple, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome states, enters and dwells in the first jhana, which is accompanied by directed and sustained attention, with pīti and happiness born of seclusion.

Idaṁ vuccati paṭhamaṁ jhānan’ti.

This is called the first jhana.

So khvāhaṁ, āvuso, vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharāmi.

So, friends, I entered and dwelt in the first jhana, which is accompanied by directed and sustained attention, with pīti and happiness born of seclusion.

Tassa mayhaṁ, āvuso, iminā vihārena viharato kāmasahagatā saññāmanasikārā samudācaranti.

While I was dwelling in this state, perceptions and attention accompanied by sensuality assailed me.

Atha kho maṁ, āvuso, bhagavā iddhiyā upasaṅkamitvā etadavoca: ‘moggallāna, moggallāna. Mā, brāhmaṇa, paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ pamādo, paṭhame jhāne cittaṁ saṇṭhapehi, paṭhame jhāne cittaṁ ekodiṁ karohi, paṭhame jhāne cittaṁ samādahā’ti.

Then, friends, the Blessed One approached me with his psychic power and said: Moggallāna, Moggallāna, do not be negligent regarding the first jhana. Steady your mind in the first jhana, unify your mind in the first jhana, concentrate your mind in the first jhana.

So khvāhaṁ, āvuso, aparena samayena vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja vihāsiṁ.

Then, friends, after some time, I entered and dwelt in the first jhana, which is accompanied by directed and sustained attention, with pīti and happiness born of seclusion.

Yañhi taṁ, āvuso, sammā vadamāno vadeyya: ‘satthārānuggahito sāvako mahābhiññataṁ patto’ti, mamaṁ taṁ sammā vadamāno vadeyya: ‘satthārānuggahito sāvako mahābhiññataṁ patto’”ti. Paṭhamaṁ.

If someone were to speak rightly, they might say of me: A disciple of the Teacher, supported by the Teacher, has attained great direct knowing. Speaking rightly, they would say this of me: A disciple of the Teacher, supported by the Teacher, has attained great direct knowing.