The Nine Successive Cessations In Buddhist Meditation
The Nine successive cessations (anupubba-nirodha) as mentioned in the Anguttara Nikaya are the progressive ‘levels’ in meditation that include the 4 form jhanas, the 4 formless jhanas, and finally the state of cessation of perception and feeling.
These are also called the nine progressive cessations, and referred to as the nine progressive dwellings, where it is clear that ‘dwelling’ truly means a ‘state of mind’ and not a physical location or preferred dwelling like a quiet place or cave. (AN IV.410)
The goal of these meditations is the destruction of the taints.
Entering and abiding in the first 8 jhanas is like getting to the ‘end of the world’ and dwelling at ‘the end of the world:
“Here, brahmins, secluded from sensual pleasures . . . a monk enters and dwells in the first jhana . . . [same for 2nd to 8th jhana] This is called a monk who, having come to the end of the world, dwells at the end of the world. Others say thus of him: ‘He, too, is included in the world; he, too, is not yet released from the world.’ I also say thus: ‘He, too, is included in the world; he, too, is not yet released from the world.’” — AN IV.430
The First Jhana
By the attainment of the first jhana, perceptions of sensuality (kamasanna) cease. The first step of the meditation is to still the craving for sensual pleasure:
“Here, secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome states, a monk enters and dwells in the first jhana, which consists of delight and pleasure born of seclusion, accompanied by thought and examination.” — AN I.53
“I say of [that state] where sensual pleasures cease and of those who dwell having thoroughly ended sensual pleasures:
‘Surely, those venerable ones are without hunger and quenched; they have crossed over and gone beyond in that particular respect.’
If anyone should say: ‘Where do sensual pleasures cease? And who are those that dwell having thoroughly ended sensual pleasures? I do not know this, I do not see this,’
He should be told:
‘Here, friend, secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome states, a monk enters and dwells in the first jhana.
That is where sensual pleasures cease, and those are the ones who dwell having thoroughly ended sensual pleasures.’” — AN IV.411
The Second Jhana
By the attainment of the second jhana, thinking and pondering cease. The second step of the meditation is to still the mind, find balance, and establish quietude as a basis:
“With the subsiding of thought and examination, he enters and dwells in the second jhana, which has internal placidity and unification of mind and consists of delight and pleasure born of concentration, without thought and examination.” — AN I.53
“I say of [that state] where thought and examination cease and of those who dwell having thoroughly ended thought and examination:
‘Surely, those venerable ones are without hunger and quenched, have crossed over and gone beyond in that particular respect.’
If anyone should say: ‘Where do thought and examination cease? And who are those that dwell having thoroughly ended thought and examination? I do not know this, I do not see this,’
He should be told:
‘Here, friend, with the subsiding of thought and examination, a monk enters and dwells in the second jhana.
That is where thought and examination cease, and those are the ones who dwell having thoroughly ended thought and examination.’” — AN IV.411
The Thrid Jhana
By the attainment of the third jhana, delight (piti) ceases. The third step of the meditation is to establish neutrality to likes and dislikes, and to balance the mind in equanimity:
“With the fading away as well of delight, he dwells equanimous and, mindful and clearly comprehending, he experiences pleasure with the body; he enters and dwells in the third jhana of which the noble ones declare: ‘He is equanimous, mindful, one who dwells happily.’” — AN I.53
“I say of [that state] where delight ceases and of those who dwell having thoroughly ended delight:
‘Surely, those venerable ones are without hunger and quenched, have crossed over and gone beyond in that particular respect.’
If anyone should say:
‘Where does delight cease? And who are those that dwell having thoroughly ended delight? I do not know this, I do not see this,’
He should be told:
‘Here, friend, with the fading away as well of delight . . . he enters and dwells in the third jhana.
That is where delight ceases and those are the ones who dwell having thoroughly ended delight.’” — AN IV.411
The Fourth Jhana
By the attainment of the fourth jhana, in-and out-breathing ceases. The fourth step of the meditation is to still the subtle notion of breathing and bodily functions:
“With the abandoning of pleasure and pain, and with the previous passing away of joy and dejection, he enters and dwells in the fourth jhana, neither painful nor pleasant, which has purification of mindfulness by equanimity.” — AN I.53
“I say of [that state] where the pleasure [connected with] equanimity ceases and of those who dwell having thoroughly ended the pleasure [connected with] equanimity:
‘Surely, those venerable ones are without hunger and quenched, have crossed over and gone beyond in that particular respect.
If anyone should say:
‘Where does the pleasure [connected with] equanimity cease? And who are those that dwell having thoroughly ended the pleasure [connected with] equanimity? I do not know this, I do not see this,’
He should be told:
‘Here, friend, with the abandoning of pleasure and pain . . . a monk enters and dwells in the fourth jhana.
That is where the pleasure [connected with] equanimity ceases and those are the ones who dwell having thoroughly ended the pleasure [connected with] equanimity.’” — AN IV.412
These first four preliminary steps are geared towards the body and it’s functions, how the mind acts and reacts (re-acts) towards the body functions. The cessation of the craving, grasping, and clinging towards the body and it’s functions paves the way for a mind that is more capable of dealing with the comings and goings of both internal and external phenomena.
In the next and final part 3, we’ll be discussing the 4 formless stages + the final stage of the 9 successive cessations in Buddhist meditation.
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