One serene afternoon, as the sun cast its golden rays over the forest monastery, the Blessed One, surrounded by his disciples, addressed them with a voice calm yet imbued with profound authority.
“Monks, today I shall teach you the nine step-by-step dwelling-attainments. These are the paths by which the mind ascends to liberation, shedding layer after layer of bondage. Listen well and pay close attention, for I shall speak.”
“Yes, Lord,” the monks replied in unison, their palms pressed together in respectful homage.
After a brief silence, the Blessed One began:
“And what, monks, are the nine step-by-step dwelling-attainments? These are the stages of gradual release, where the mind lets go of its attachments and enters ever-deeper states of peace and clarity. Let me explain them to you.
The First Attainment: The Cessation of Sensual Resolves
“Wherever sensual resolves cease, and those who continually abandon them dwell—truly, I tell you, by this, those venerable ones are free from hunger, unbound, having crossed over to the far shore.
“Now, imagine a person burdened by the weight of craving, their mind restless, chasing after sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and touches. If someone were to ask, ‘Where do sensual resolves cease? And where do those who continually abandon sensual resolves dwell? I do not know; I do not see,’ they should be told:
“‘Friend, there is a case where a monk, quite secluded from sensuality and unskillful mental qualities, enters and remains in the first jhāna—rapture and pleasure born of seclusion, accompanied by directed thought and evaluation. That is where sensual resolves cease, and where those who continually abandon sensual resolves dwell.’
“Picture this monk: seated in meditation beneath a towering tree, their robes still as the breeze whispers through the leaves. Their mind, unshackled from desire, glows with serenity, like a lamp undisturbed by wind.
“Surely, a sincere person, upon hearing these words, would say, ‘Very good!’ Delighting in and approving of the statement, they would pay homage, raising their hands palm-to-palm over their heart, and honor this truth.”
The Blessed One paused, allowing the monks to absorb the teaching. A moment of profound silence settled over the gathering, broken only by the distant chirping of birds.
The Second Attainment: The Stilling of Directed Thought and Evaluation
“Wherever directed thought and evaluation cease, and those who continually abandon them dwell—truly, I tell you, by this, those venerable ones are free from hunger, unbound, having crossed over to the far shore.
“Consider a mind that has tasted the joy of seclusion but still hums with the activity of thought, questioning and analyzing. If someone were to ask, ‘Where do directed thought and evaluation cease? And where do those who continually abandon directed thought and evaluation dwell? I do not know; I do not see,’ they should be told:
“‘Friend, there is a case where a monk, with the stilling of directed thought and evaluation, enters and remains in the second jhāna—rapture and pleasure born of concentration, unification of awareness free from directed thought and evaluation, with internal assurance. That is where directed thought and evaluation cease, and where those who continually abandon them dwell.’
“Imagine this monk: their mind, no longer scattered by inquiry, becomes like a still pond, its surface unbroken, reflecting the infinite sky. They sit in quiet confidence, their awareness unified, their joy deepened by this state of pure concentration.
“And again, a sincere person, hearing this, would say, ‘Very good!’ Delighting in and approving of the statement, they would pay homage and honor this teaching with reverence.”
The Third Attainment: The Fading of Rapture
“Wherever rapture ceases, and those who continually abandon rapture dwell—truly, I tell you, by this, those venerable ones are free from hunger, unbound, having crossed over to the far shore.
“Imagine the ecstasy of deep meditation—powerful, but still a wave in the ocean of the mind. If someone were to ask, ‘Where does rapture cease? And where do those who continually abandon rapture dwell? I do not know; I do not see,’ they should be told:
“‘Friend, there is a case where a monk, with the fading of rapture, remains equanimous, mindful, and alert, and senses pleasure with the body. They enter and remain in the third jhāna, of which the noble ones declare: “Equanimous and mindful, they have a pleasant abiding.” That is where rapture ceases, and where those who continually abandon rapture dwell.’
“Picture this monk: the vibrant joy of earlier meditations now quieted, replaced by serene equanimity. They sit like a mountain, unmoved by the passing winds of emotion, their mind calm and poised.
“A sincere person, upon hearing this, would again say, ‘Very good!’ They would bow deeply, honoring this profound truth.”
Wisdom Tea 