Jhanic potential in Christians?
score:2
Yes. We are talking about merit, morality, ethics, spiritual health, dispassion for material goods and wealth, etc.
Jhana occurs naturally when the mind is pure, i.e., without the five hindrances. There are sufficient teachings in the New Testament about "renunciation", "non-judging", " non-hatred", "forgiveness", "unconditional love" and "purity of spirit" for jhana to naturally or spontaneously manifest in a devout Christian. The "Kingdom of Heaven" itself is jhana.
Here, Udayi, the bhikkhu secluded from sensual desires and thoughts of demerit abides in the first jhana: Overcoming thoughts and thought processes and the mind in one point internally appeased, without thoughts and thought processes abides in the second jhana. Again with equanimity to joy and detachment, feeling pleasant with the body too, abides in the third jhana. To this the noble ones say abiding in pleasantness with equanimity. Udayi, this is the course of actions, for realising the world of only pleasant feelings (ekantasukhassa lokassa).
MN 79
Upvote:3
It's wise to say that Buddhism doesn't have any exclusivity on jhana type experiences thus they are naturally occurring events with the name 'jhana' appended to its experience. What I think may be unique about Buddhism is its ability to define the conditions for each jhanic experience. The Buddha describes this in the Jhana sutta
Yes, almost everyone has the potential to experience jhana. The identification with the word 'christian' does not diminish nor enhance that potential. However, the method in which you perceive yourself as 'being something' could hinder that potential. I take the example of 'being Buddhist' alongside 'learning to be a good person' - this doesn't seem to work as you are creating another mind concept to conform to. When you follow mind concepts in this way, misery looms.
More post
- π How are expectations and responsibilities seen in Buddhism?
- π References on Rupa and Arupa Jhana through Brahma Vihara
- π The spirit of five precepts
- π If karma is objective, how come it's cause for "good" rebirth?
- π Is there a concept of after life in Buddhism?
- π I only know that I will know nothing: can that ever have any currency for Buddhists?
- π Sex Before Marriage
- π Where do βnewβ humans come from?
- π What are the main differences between the different Zen schools?
- π A collection of stories about Buddha past lives
- π What is Bodhicitta?
- π Questions about the βTatiyaΒvitthΔΒraΒsuttaβ
- π Help me with a paradox
- π ParinibbΔna in secular Buddhism
- π Is here-and-now-view one of the wrong views in DN1?
- π Possible for worldling to practice the Ariyamagga, to walk it?
- π Can contemplation of the four noble truths lead to penetration of them?
- π Following the Dhamma without taking refuge
- π What is the role of karma in rebirth?
- π Is Goenka's "Freeflow of sensations" the same as pΔ«ti?
- π Is there a fate worse than oblivion?
- π Is practice of Vedanta a prelude to practice of Buddhism?
- π Why Buddha lined up four brahmavihara in the chronological order 'metta, karuna, mudita and upeksha'
- π Planting without soil & harm ideas: giving inspiration, motivation
- π What is a pandaka?
- π Noises in Meditation
- π Is anxiety connected to the three unwholesome roots?
- π Did the Buddha speak the Mahanidana Sutta in the Digha Nikaya?
- π Are Therevada's cosmology and the Mahanaya's sutras physically impossible?
- π buddha's advice to moggallana
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- π Jhanic potential in Christians?
- π Is it useful (and polite) to ask a potential meditation teacher about their attainments?
- π Jhanic concentration and feeling
- π Possible Potential Buddhist
- π Chinese Buddhists consider all people to be potential Buddhas
- π How to increase my potential in daimoku?
- π Potential of Five Minutes of Meditation
- π Spiritual Potential and Consequences of Actions
- π Is rebirth a delusional belief?
- π Can the Buddha ever be a woman?
- π If there is no soul, how can there be rebirth?
- π If a buddhist should not kill a mouse living in their home, what justification do they have to rid themselves of a parasite such tapeworms
- π Introductory books to Buddhism
- π Is killing vermin and insects justifiable?
- π What exactly differentiates Vipassana from Samatha meditation?
- π How to explain what Buddhism is?
- π Does illegal downloading or viewing of copyright material violate the second precept?
- π How does stream entry occur?
- π Is moderate drinking acceptable in Buddhism?
- π Do buddhists fall in love?
- π Are all Buddhists vegetarian?
- π Lust - How Can it be Overcome?
- π Should one give to beggars?
- π Where is the Buddha quoted as saying do not believe anything I say until you can prove it by yourself?
- π How not to kill the mouse in my house?
- π Is Jesus considered to be a buddha?
- π Any advice on leg numbing during sitting?
- π Is low self-esteem a Western phenomenon?
- π Role of belief in Buddhism
- π When were women first welcomed into Buddhist orders?