<p>Check out part 2 of this book, it goes over exactly what you are looking for:  <a href="https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/com/086171119X" rel="nofollow noreferrer" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.amazon.com/Meditative-States-Tibetan-Buddhism-Rinpoche/dp/086171119X</a></p>

<p>Also, this one, although this may be too difficult: <a href="https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/com/0861712994" rel="nofollow noreferrer" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.amazon.com/Mahamudra-Moonlight-Quintessence-Mind-Meditation/dp/0861712994</a></p>

<p>This one I did not read, but it is written by the most respected lineage holder: <a href="https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/com/1559391065" rel="nofollow noreferrer" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.amazon.com/Practice-Tranquillity-Insight-Buddhist-Meditation/dp/1559391065</a></p>

<p>Also, this: <a href="https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/com/1559391103" rel="nofollow noreferrer" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.amazon.com/Calm-Abiding-Special-Insight-Transformation/dp/1559391103</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-13T20:57:31.783Z
That's exactly what I was looking for, thank you very much! It reassures me to see that the first book talks about the 8 absorptions. It's less accessible than Ajahn Brahm on the other hand haha, I can't imagine the one you say is difficult!
Kalapa
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-13T21:37:44.497Z
I also found this btw https://www.amazon.com/Study-Practice-Meditation-Interpretations-Concentrations/dp/1559393254 I'm reading it and it's more accessible
Kalapa
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-13T17:17:16.380Z
2020-04-13T17:17:16.380Z
Andriy Volkov
<p>Is it me or is it incredibly difficult to find resources <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhy%C4%81na_in_Buddhism#The_jh%C4%81nas" rel="nofollow noreferrer">on the 4 (or 8, with the arupas) jhānas</a> and how to reach them in the mahāyāna/vajrayāna literature? Apart from vague references to samādhi in general, I can't find anything. </p>

<p><strong>Edit:</strong> In addition to the suttas, theravādins also have commentaries and books on jhānas, for example the one by Ajahn Brahm... I was looking for a mahāyāna equivalent, too bad :(</p>

<p><strong>Edit 2:</strong> I've found my happiness: <a href="https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/com/1559393254" rel="nofollow noreferrer" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.amazon.com/dp/1559393254</a></p>

<p>Thanks y'all!</p>

<meditation><mahayana><meditation-practicalities><jhana><vajrayana>
Doesn't mahāyāna have a classification for jhānas?
# Doesn't mahāyāna have a classification for jhānas?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-04-13)

Is it me or is it incredibly difficult to find resources [on the 4 (or 8, with the arupas) jhānas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhy%C4%81na_in_Buddhism#The_jh%C4%81nas) and how to reach them in the mahāyāna/vajrayāna literature? Apart from vague references to samādhi in general, I can't find anything.

**Edit:** In addition to the suttas, theravādins also have commentaries and books on jhānas, for example the one by Ajahn Brahm... I was looking for a mahāyāna equivalent, too bad :(

**Edit 2:** I've found my happiness: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/1559393254](https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/com/1559393254)

Thanks y'all!

**Tags:** meditation, mahayana, meditation-practicalities, jhana, vajrayana


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-04-13. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

Check out part 2 of this book, it goes over exactly what you are looking for: [https://www.amazon.com/Meditative-States-Tibetan-Buddhism-Rinpoche/dp/086171119X](https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/com/086171119X)

Also, this one, although this may be too difficult: [https://www.amazon.com/Mahamudra-Moonlight-Quintessence-Mind-Meditation/dp/0861712994](https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/com/0861712994)

This one I did not read, but it is written by the most respected lineage holder: [https://www.amazon.com/Practice-Tranquillity-Insight-Buddhist-Meditation/dp/1559391065](https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/com/1559391065)

Also, this: [https://www.amazon.com/Calm-Abiding-Special-Insight-Transformation/dp/1559391103](https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/com/1559391103)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: That's exactly what I was looking for, thank you very much! It reassures me to see that the first book talks about the 8 absorptions. It's less accessible than Ajahn Brahm on the other hand haha, I can't imagine the one you say is difficult!  
> **username_0**: I also found this btw https://www.amazon.com/Study-Practice-Meditation-Interpretations-Concentrations/dp/1559393254 I'm reading it and it's more accessible  

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