THE JHANAS IN THERAVADAN BUDDHIST MEDITATION Part 3: Controversy
around the practicing of the Jhanas Since the time of the
Buddha, attitudes towards the Jhanas have varied greatly. There
is strong evidence in the Suttas that quite early on there were
at least two schools of thought. One approach emphasized insight
practice almost exclusively, feeling that since insight gives
rise to the wisdom necessary for enlightenment, this was what
was more important. An excellent example of a sutra reflecting
this approach is the Sammaditthi Sutra (Majjhima Nikaya #9).
Here Sariputta gives a beautiful discourse on Right View. He
discussed 16 important topics and ends each topic by saying
"When a noble disciple has thus understood [the topic], he
uproots the underlying tendency to greed, hatred, the 'I am'
conceit and ignorance, and arousing true knowledge he here and
now makes an end of suffering." Here enlightenment is achieved
solely through insights; the Jhanas are not even mentioned.
Another school of thought gave co