Vicara - Within Meditation

Within Meditation


Table:
Jhāna-related factors.
  • v
  • t
  • e
first
jhāna		 second
jhāna		 third
jhāna		 fourth
jhāna
sensuality
(kāma),
unskillful
qualities
(akusala
dhamma)		 secluded
from,
withdrawn
applied
thought
(vitakka)		 accom-
panies
jhāna		 stilled
sustained
thought
(vicāra)
rapture
(pīti)		 seclusion-
born;
pervades
body		 samādhi-
born;
pervades
body		 fades
away
(as does
distress)
pleasure
(sukha)		 pervades
physical
body		 aban-
doned
(as is
pain)
pure,
mindful
equanimity
(upekkhā-
sati-
pārisuddhi)		 [internal
confidence,
mental
unification]		 equani-
mous,
mindful		 neither
pleasure
nor pain;
permeates
body with
pure mind

Table's sources:

  • Bodhi, Bhikkhu (2005). In the Buddha's Words, pp. 296-8
    (SN 28:1-9). Somerville, MA: Wisdom Pub. ISBN 081714911.
  • Sri Lanka Buddha Jayanti Tipitaka Series (n.d.). Pañcaṅgika-
    vaggo     (AN 5.1.3.8, in Pali). Retrieved 2007-06-06 from
    MettaNet-Lanka.
  • Thanissaro Bhikkhu (1997). Samadhanga Sutta: The Factors
    of Concentration     (AN 5.28). Retrieved 2007-06-06 from
    "Access to Insight".

Vicara is one of four or five mental factors present in the first jhana (Sanskrit: dhyana). Nina van Gorkom explains:

As regards the jhāna-factor vicāra which is developed in samatha, this keeps the citta “anchored on” the meditation subject and inhibits the hindrance which is doubt. As we have seen, in the case of kāmāvacara cittas, both vitakka and vicāra arise together when they accompany the citta. In the case of jhānacittas however, a distinction has to be made. In the first stage of jhāna both vitakka and vicāra are needed in order to experience the meditation subject with absorption.

In the second stage, vitakka is no longer present, but vicara still is.

Read more about this topic:  Vicara

Famous quotes containing the word meditation:

    “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be
    acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”
    —Bible: Hebrew Psalm XIX (l. XIX, 14)

    “The real meditation is ... the meditation on one’s identity. Ah, voilà une chose!! You try it. You try finding out why you’re you and not somebody else. And who in the blazes are you anyhow? Ah, voilà une chose!”
    —Ezra Pound (1885–1972)