The Fourth Jhana in Early Buddhism

We'll look at what the fourth jhana is in early Buddhism by considering its definition and the simile the Buddha provides to illustrate its character. We'll also consider some of the paradoxical nature of the early Buddhist approach to pleasures. 📙 Check out my new book, A Handbook of Early Buddhist Wisdom, with a Foreword by Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi: https://books2read.com/buddhisthandbook 🧡 If you find this material useful, check out my Patreon page and get fun benefits like exclusive videos, audio-only versions, and extensive show notes:   / dougsseculardharma   🧡 You can also make donations through: https://paypal.me/dougsdharma ☸️ Free mini-course at the Online Dharma Institute: onlinedharma.org. ✅ Videos mentioned: The Third Jhana in Early Buddhism --    • The Third Jhana in Early Buddhism   Is the Mind Luminous? --    • Is the Mind Luminous?   ✅ Suttas mentioned: https://suttacentral.net/sn45.8/en/su... https://suttacentral.net/mn39/en/sujato https://suttacentral.net/mn59/en/sujato Facebook:   / onlinedharmainstitute   Twitter:   / dougsdharma   ❤️ Thanks to Patreon Patrons: Anonymous (2) Scarlett Farrow Carlos Gutierrez Matthew Smith Bob Snead JC Shantha Wengappuli Karma_CAC Johan Thelander Michael Roe Jorge Seguel Christopher Apostolof GailJM Brett Merritt David Bell T Pham VCR Upayadhi Andi and Erik ATGuerrero686 Michael Scherrer Michael Seefeld khobe schofield Alex Perdomo Benji Forsyth Kaine Usher Cookie Forthecookie Blaze Way Sonny Flink Steve Marlor David W Joy L Lee Andrew Tom Anthony Tucker Karlee R Rob Parisien Ethan M Billy in Singapore Derek Birch Matthew G Mynttinen Theodor Bernhard Aziz Rahman Olivia Otter Carl Lennartson xiao mao Brady Schickinger Steve H. Jeff Harvey Andrew Ingrouille Jimmy Maa 00:00 Intro 01:24 Definition of the fourth jhāna 01:48 Giving up pleasure, pain, happiness, sadness 03:01 The subtle problem with happiness 04:18 The paradox of higher pleasures 06:24 The simile of the fourth jhāna 08:18 Discussing the simile 10:00 Pure equanimity 10:54 Progression to higher forms of pleasure 12:16 The thorn to the fourth jhāna 13:40 Controversies over jhāna Note: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon links are affiliate links where I will earn a very small commission on purchases you make, at no additional cost to you. This goes a tiny way towards defraying the costs of making these videos. Thank you!