Abhidhamma View:Analysis of Attainment [Presented by Dr.Tep Sastri @ sariputtadhamma/JTN]
CMA IX, p. 363-365
Herein, the attainment of fruition is common to all, each being able to attain their respective fruition. But the attainment of cessation is accessable only to Non-returners and Arahants.
The attainment of fruition is a meditative attainment by which a noble disciple enters into supramundane absorption with Nibbaana as object. It is attained for the purpose of experiencing the bliss of Nibbaana here and now. The cittas that occur in this attainment are the fruition cittas corresponding to the disciple's level of realization. Thus each of the four grades of noble individuals can enter their own proper fruition attainment -- the stream-enterer attaining the fruition attainment of stream-entry, etc. The attainment is reached by first making the resolution to attain frution and then developing in sequence the insight knowledges beginning with knowledge of rise and fall. [See the Visuddhimagga XXIII, 6 -15.]
Attainment of Cessation:
One enters successively upon the sublime attainments beginning with the first jhaana, and then after emerging from them, one contemplates with insight the conditioned states within each of those attainments. Having proceeded thus up to the base of nothinfness, one then attends to the preliminary duties such as the resolution, etc., and enters the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception. After two occasions of javana in absorption, the continuum of consciousness is suspended. Then one is said to have attained cessation.
The attainment of cessation is a meditative attainment in which the stream of consciousness and mental factors is completely cut off temporarily. It can be obtained only by Non-returners and Arahants who have mastery over all the fine-material and material jhaanas. Further, it cna be obtained only within the sensuous plane or the fine-material plane of existence. It cannot be obtained within the immaterial plane, for there is no attaining of the four fine-material jhaanas there, which are the prerequisites for entering cessation.
To enter cessation the meditator must attain each jhaana in proper sequence. After emerging from each one, he contemplates the factors as impermanent, suffering, and non-self. In this manner the procedure is carried as far as the base of nothingness. After emerging from the base of nothingness the meditator then makes four resolutions: 1) that any requisites not connected to his body should be destroyed during the attainment (the requisites connected to his body, such as robes, are automatically protected); 2) that he should emerge if his services are needed by the Sangha; 3) that he should emerge if he is summoned by the Buddha (during the Buddha's lifetime); and 4) that he is not bound to die within seven days.
After making these resolutions, he enters the fourth immaterial jhaana, which occurs for two moments of jhavana. Immediately after, he attains cessation, wherein the stream of consciousness is temporarily suspended.
Emergence from Cessation:
At the time of emergence from cessation, in the case of a Non-returner the fruit of non-returning consciousness occurs one time --in the case of an Arahant, the fruit of Arahantship consciousness occurs one time-- and then there is subsidence into the life continuum. Following this, reviewing knowledge occurs.
Herein, this is the analysis of attainments. The method of meditation for developing insight is finished.
Conclusion:
One who aspires to enjoy the taste
Of practice in the Buddha's Dispensation
Should develop this twofold meditation
So excellent in the way explained.
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Love Buddha's dhamma,yawares/sirikanya