94 



BUDHISM, 



ergy bent his mind to intense meditation. (7.) This pro- 

 found meditation is termed Jhana, and while the devotee is 

 engaged in these exercises he becomes insensible to all ex- 

 ternal things : he can neither see, hear, nor feel, but is in a 

 state something similar to that which is called the mesmeric 

 trance, and no means exist by which he can be aroused from 

 this state until the meditation is ended. (8.) Budha states 

 to the Brahmin Weranjo, that he, being persevering, tran- 

 quil in body and mind, pure in heart and free from all sen- 

 suality, engaged in examination and research on the nature 

 of things, and thus enjoyed the first Jhana. Investigation 

 and research being terminated, with a tranquil and self- 

 concentrated mind he enjoyed the serene pleasure of the 

 second Jhana. Free from the disturbances of pleasure, 

 thoughtful and wise, and healthy in body, he enjoyed the 

 third Jhana, called the state of thoughtful contentment. 

 Free from the emotions of joy or sorrow, previous exulta- 

 tion and depression being removed, with a contented and 

 holy mind he attained to the 4th Jhana, being unmoved 

 either by pleasure or pain. 



Being thus mentally tranquil, pure and holy, free from 

 passion or pollution, he recalled to mind former states of 



(7) It is no peculiar prerogative of the Buddhas to attain to the 

 -2§)d£d jhana : Bralrmans, ascetics, as well as priests, may exer- 

 cise these meditations (See Samanyaphala Suttan in the Diglia 

 nikaya.) • 



(8) In the Parajika section of the Winuaya Pitaka we find, that 

 when Buddha was once residing with 500 priests, in the city of 

 Weeranja, not far from the tree g€)©a* Puchimanda Margosa, 

 which was the residence of a demon named <33®q6i Naleru, he 

 gave to Brahman Weeranja the order in which he had overcome 

 sensual gratification and exercised the Jhana meditation^ Tho 

 Jhanas are four; first, second, third, and fourth. Buddha had not 

 only exercised those profound meditations and attained to' all tli& 



