This week Tesshin Roshi continued our discussions of the Paramitas with Jnana, which roughly translates as “concentration.”  Roshi noted that Jnana predates Buddhism.  In fact, many of the practices that the historical Buddha explored on his spiritual journey before his enlightenment were considered Jnana practices including ritualistic fasting, yoga, and others.  Roshi noted that Shakyamuni did not simply dip into each of these practices superficially – he deeply explored all of them.  One could compare the Buddha’s exploration to understanding “Pizza in NYC” by eating a full pie in every restaurant in the city!

 

Roshi next provided a bit of background about the structure of Jhana as it was originally practiced when the historical Buddha was active.  There are four stages of Jhana at the level of forms and there are four levels which transcend form.  The levels of form are as follows:

1.  Pleasant Sensations

2.  Joy

3.  Contentment

4.  Utter Peacefulness

 

The formless levels are as follows:

1.  Infinity of Space

2.  Infinity of Consciousness

3.  No-thingness

4.  Neither perception nor non-perception

 

The Buddha did not lecture too much on concentration.  One reason may be because it was so embedded in the spiritual traditions which Buddhism arose.  As these practices migrated from India to China, the term Jhana morphed into “Chan” which eventually became Zen.    

However, Zen takes a very different view on concentration, and this difference is vital to understanding our tradition.  Originally Jhana was a technique or skill.  This is why there are different levels to master.  In Zen there is no difference between jnana (concentration) and paramita (insight) – they are exactly the same thing.  So, we don’t say that sitting leads to insight, rather sitting IS insight.  Also, we don’t work hard to improve our sitting “skills” in order to have a better chance at Kensho.  Rather the act of sitting is the epitome of existing – nothing else needs to be done.  Jnana is fundamental to human existence and Zazen is exactly human existence so there is no way that Zazen cannot naturally generate heightened states of Jnana.  Tesshin Roshi recounted a Zen story where one master asked – what is zazen?  The other master said zazen is NOT zazen.  How is this?  Because Zazen is reality – it encompasses everything.  To call Zazen a technique is to separate it out as something apart from universal reality.  This would be wrong thinking.

 

Roshi stopped here and asked the group how Jhana relates to modern life.  It is clear that we all distracted and discontented in our day-to-day life.  Concentration / Zazen is the opposite of this state.  When we exist on the cushion, we experience pure minute to minute existence and realize that life is perfect as it is.  There is nothing to achieve and no skills to develop.  We simply exist!  The Jhana generated during Zazen allows us to realize that if life is a gift, then everything which comes with life is also a gift – even those things which cause us suffering.

 

Roshi wrapped up by reminding us to celebrate life by deeply experiencing the senses.  Celebrate everything we touch, taste, see, feel and smell.  It is all a gift.  Most of all celebrate your breath as it is the essence of your life.