Overview
The Anupubbavihāra are the nine progressive states of deep meditative absorption. They must be attained in strict sequential order, with the meditator mastering one state before ascending to the next. The final state is the ultimate summit of Theravāda mental cultivation.
The List
- Paṭhama Jhāna - First Fine-Material Absorption.
- Dutiya Jhāna - Second Fine-Material Absorption.
- Tatiya Jhāna - Third Fine-Material Absorption.
- Catuttha Jhāna - Fourth Fine-Material Absorption.
- Ākāsānañcāyatana - The Base of Infinite Space (First Formless Absorption).
- Viññāṇañcāyatana - The Base of Infinite Consciousness (Second Formless Absorption).
- Ākiñcaññāyatana - The Base of Nothingness (Third Formless Absorption).
- Nevasaññānāsaññāyatana - The Base of Neither-Perception-Nor-Non-Perception (Fourth Formless Absorption).
- Saññāvedayitanirodha - The Cessation of Perception and Feeling: The temporary, complete halting of all mental activity and consciousness. It can only be attained by Non-returners (Anāgāmīs) and Arahats who have mastered all eight previous jhānas.
Textual References
- Canonical: Anupubbavihāra Sutta (AN 9.32) – The Buddha lists these nine and explains that achieving them is what truly makes a monk “one who has reached the end of the world.”