Living examples, living Arahats / Buddhas

[Jhanek]

Well hello there, have a nice day all!

I want to start a topic that may help clearing views on language of gnosis but also on meditating. So after having an idea of finding a Buddha to tell us what to do I was surprised by the number of claimed to be enlightened people in the Internet. There are of course celebrities, but there are also some monks like Mahanuwara Wajirabuddhi Thero that wrote a book signing it 'Arahat'.

Book is available here: http://www.mahanuwara-wajirabuddhi-thero.org/download/The_Path_to_Nibbana_as_Declared_by_the_Buddha_English.pdf unfortunately it is the only thing available in english

I do not know the fruits of him, just felt this jhana vibrations so stopped for a while to investigate him.

http://www.mahanuwara-wajirabuddhi-thero.org/en#arahanth

Another example:

TheInnGu Sayadaw U Ponnya

Ven Walpola Gothama Thero - self revealed

Concerning the fruition I would suggest HH Dalai Lama being described as naturally perfect and perfectly natural doing his teachings in the way Buddha did sleeping 2-3 hours a day. Impressing any way.

Maybe there are more living arahats that we think.

[Jhanananda]

Well hello there, have a nice day all!

I want to start a topic that may help clearing views on language of gnosis but also on meditating. So after having an idea of finding a Buddha to tell us what to do I was surprised by the number of claimed to be enlightened people in the Internet. There are of course celebrities, but there are also some monks like Mahanuwara Wajirabuddhi Thero that wrote a book signing it 'Arahat'.

Book is available here: http://www.mahanuwara-wajirabuddhi-thero.org/download/The_Path_to_Nibbana_as_Declared_by_the_Buddha_English.pdf unfortunately it is the only thing available in english

I do not know the fruits of him, just felt this jhana vibrations so stopped for a while to investigate him.

http://www.mahanuwara-wajirabuddhi-thero.org/en#arahanth

Another example:

TheInnGu Sayadaw U Ponnya

Ven Walpola Gothama Thero - self revealed

Concerning the fruition I would suggest HH Dalai Lama being described as naturally perfect and perfectly natural doing his teachings in the way Buddha did sleeping 2-3 hours a day. Impressing any way.

Maybe there are more living arahats that we think.

We have to keep in mind that the problem in every age, is there are many false prophets.  And, most people claiming to be enlightened have not demonstrated the superior fruit of attainment (maha-phala).

Since the Dalai Lama has not demonstrated any understanding the the superior fruit of attainment (maha-phala); and has clearly shown that all he is, is the head of a clearly deluded branch of Buddhism, with a completely corrupt priesthood, then we can conclude he is just another fraud.

I am not familiar with: Mahanuwara Wajirabuddhi; U Ponnya; and Walpola Gothama Thero.  Since you believe that they might be enlightened, then please show where they have demonstrated the superior fruit of attainment (maha-phala).

[Jhanek]

It may be that You are right Jhanananda

We have to keep in mind that the problem in every age there are many false prophets.  And, most people claiming to be enlightened have not demonstrated the superior fruit of attainment (maha-phala).

and none of them is legit. I want to check this out.

 I started to read the above mentioned book, now page 75. There is about jhanas, interesting point of view, still nothing fruity.
 
Page 71 below:

. Those people offered dāna and
other religions also practiced dāna, other religions also had Sīla.
There was dāna, Sīla, and bhāvanā at time when Sāsana was
absent. They practiced these and developed dyāna, gained birth
in Brahma Lōka, they have developed Ashta Samāpaththi to level
of Nēvasaʼnʼnā-Nāsaʼnʼnā. They developed dyāna that enabled
them birth in Brahma worlds and they thought those levels as the
lasting happiness. However, the Buddha realized that is not true.
When did He realize it? What did He initially study under
teachers, Ālārakālāma, and Uddakārāma? They were those eight
Samāpaththi Samatha bhāvanā, which took him up to Nēvasaʼnʼnā-
Nāsaʼnʼnā! However, they are mundane. They are anicca. They
are dukkha. They are anatta. They are mundane. Therefore, that
is not ultimate truth. Thus, He had to search for a bhāvanā that
enables Him to realize the ultimate truth. What, is it, it was to
discover that, the Buddha, spent six years, doing “difficult to do
things!” Discovered what, it was this Sathara Satipatthāna. Are
you clear about this?

I am not familiar with: U Ponnya; and Walpola Gothama Thero.

I will check them after reading this book.

Since the Dalai Lama has not demonstrated any understanding the the superior fruit of attainment (maha-phala); and has clearly shown that all he is, is the head of a clearly deluded branch of Buddhism, with a completely priesthood, then we can conclude he is just another fraud.

I listened to some videos of him talking. He knows his branch is in miserable shape, he is astonished by results of retreats (5 years in monastery like 2-weeks retreat in comparison), his attitude is many times opposite to the rest of the school, he is undermining many teachings including his teachers saying they are wrong in some cases. The way he is speaking about the mind suggest that he was either told specific truth or he witnessed it; what needs 3-4 jhana to be able to be experienced. Plus last life recognition - he wanted his stuff back (very hard to evaluate this information, this may be just a story).

There is not much concerning HH the Dalai Lama, but I am gonna look some more after him.

Maybe You have some suggestions whom to investigate?

I wonder how is it possible that some street magicians like Dynamo do tricks that may be maha-phala. Most probably street magic is good illusion, however Dynamo says real magic started after he fasted in the forest for some longer period. People are that much confused with some extra-ordinary illussions so they pretend to justify it by help of third party engament - and here is my idea - maybe it is their jhana workout.

Series name on Youtube: Demons behind Top Magicians


Thank You for your as always both feet kept on the ground ( I hope I used this saying correctly ?)

[DDawson]

Hi Janek,

Here are a few opinions.  If we are looking for perfect people, we aren't going to find them.  I remember the story of the Buddha after his enlightenment when he had a moment of doubt about whether he had actually found the final truth.  Recognizing this doubt he said "I know you mara" and thereby showed his mastery over this elemental force of nature.  Everyone, including a Saint, is capable of lapsing into moments of anger, greed, doubt and delusion.  You just have to get past these moments and press onward growing whatever wisdom you can.  Compassion and empathy feel better to me than rigid judgement.  If you are looking for an example of an Arahant, you might want to try Ajahn Mun.  He believed himself to be an Arahant, there is a biography written about him and a lot of stories about his visions that you wouldn't think an enlightened person would have.  A good read that will make you think and hopefully inspire mystery and not rejection.

[Jhanananda]

I started to read the above mentioned book, now page 75. There is about jhanas, interesting point of view, still nothing fruity.

Page 71 below:

The Path to Nibbana as Declared by the Buddha English.pd
Those people offered dāna and other religions also practiced dāna, other religions also had Sīla. There was dāna, Sīla, and bhāvanā at time when Sāsana was absent. They practiced these and developed dyāna, gained birth in Brahma Lōka, they have developed Ashta Samāpaththi to level of Nēvasaʼnʼnā-Nāsaʼnʼnā. They developed dyāna that enabled them birth in Brahma worlds and they thought those levels as the lasting happiness. However, the Buddha realized that is not true. When did He realize it? What did He initially study under teachers, Ālārakālāma, and Uddakārāma? They were those eight Samāpaththi Samatha bhāvanā, which took him up to Nēvasaʼnʼnā-Nāsaʼnʼnā! However, they are mundane. They are anicca. They are dukkha. They are anatta. They are mundane. Therefore, that is not ultimate truth. Thus, He had to search for a bhāvanā that enables Him to realize the ultimate truth. What, is it, it was to discover that, the Buddha, spent six years, doing “difficult to do things!” Discovered what, it was this Sathara Satipatthāna. Are you clear about this?

Clearly Mahanuwara Wajirabuddhi Thero is neither enlightened, nor did he understand what Siddhartha Gautama taught.

I listened to some videos of him talking. He knows his branch is in miserable shape, he is astonished by results of retreats (5 years in monastery like 2-weeks retreat in comparison), his attitude is many times opposite to the rest of the school, he is undermining many teachings including his teachers saying they are wrong in some cases. The way he is speaking about the mind suggest that he was either told specific truth or he witnessed it; what needs 3-4 jhana to be able to be experienced. Plus last life recognition - he wanted his stuff back (very hard to evaluate this information, this may be just a story).

There is not much concerning HH the Dalai Lama, but I am gonna look some more after him.

Maybe You have some suggestions whom to investigate?

It is good to know that the Dalai Lama is critical of the frauds within Tibetan Buddhism; however, it is also clear that he has not discovered the superior fruit of attainment (maha-phala).  There is not enlightenment without the superior fruit of attainment (maha-phala).

I wonder how is it possible that some street magicians like Dynamo do tricks that may be maha-phala. Most probably street magic is good illusion, however Dynamo says real magic started after he fasted in the forest for some longer period. People are that much confused with some extra-ordinary illussions so they pretend to justify it by help of third party engament - and here is my idea - maybe it is their jhana workout.

Series name on Youtube: Demons behind Top Magicians


Thank You for your as always both feet kept on the ground ( I hope I used this saying correctly ?)

Magicians can be very clever at their art; however, they generally prove they have no superior fruit of attainment (maha-phala).

Hi Janek,

Here are a few opinions.  If we are looking for perfect people, we aren't going to find them.  I remember the story of the Buddha after his enlightenment when he had a moment of doubt about whether he had actually found the final truth.  Recognizing this doubt he said "I know you mara" and thereby showed his mastery over this elemental force of nature.  Everyone, including a Saint, is capable of lapsing into moments of anger, greed, doubt and delusion.  You just have to get past these moments and press onward growing whatever wisdom you can.  Compassion and empathy feel better to me than rigid judgement. 

I agree.

If you are looking for an example of an Arahant, you might want to try Ajahn Mun.  He believed himself to be an Arahant, there is a biography written about him and a lot of stories about his visions that you wouldn't think an enlightened person would have.  A good read that will make you think and hopefully inspire mystery and not rejection.

We have discussed Ajahn Mun before here.  While I would like very much to validate him as an enlightened one, because he valued jhana; nonetheless, his "jhana" was informed by the vissudhimagga, which means he did not know what jhana was, or otherwise he would have exposed the vissudhimagga as a classic example of appropriation, subversion, and obfuscation.

[Jhanek]

Hmm... I mean, lets look at it. We have those http://www.greatwesternvehicle.org/fruit.htm 11 fruits as You gathered them together.

But how to believe someone we do not know? We can 'think' or 'assume', meet in real life, experience this or that, meet him outside the physical body and ask if he is conscious or he just sleeps and if conscious we have a fruition-but still one can OOB without practicing jhana. No matter how many times investigated person reached Nirvana, there is something special about this person if only he practices jhana. All of those whom I am trying to investigate I found vibrating with jhana. But this is not enough to say one is Arahant, Anagami etc. .

Lets quote this

There is the case where feelings are known to the monk as they arise, known as they persist, known as they subside. Perceptions are known to him as they arise, known as they persist, known as they subside. Thoughts are known to him as they arise, known as they persist, known as they subside. This is the development of absorption (samadhi) that, when developed & pursued, leads to mindfulness & alertness (sati).
"And what is the development of absorption (samadhi) that, when developed & pursued, leads to the ending of the effluents? There is the case where a monk remains focused on arising & falling away with reference to the five clinging-aggregates (cognition): 'Such is form, such its origination, such its passing away. Such is feeling, such its origination, such its passing away. Such is perception, such its origination, such its passing away. Such are fabrications, such their origination, such their passing away. Such is cognition, such its origination, such its disappearance.' This is the development of absorption (samadhi) that, when developed & pursued, leads to the ending of the effluents.
"These are the four developments of absorption.”

and compare it with afore-mentioned page from book:

When did He realize it? What did He initially study under teachers, Ālārakālāma, and Uddakārāma? They were those eight Samāpaththi Samatha bhāvanā, which took him up to Nēvasaʼnʼnā-Nāsaʼnʼnā! However, they are mundane. They are anicca. They are dukkha. They are anatta. They are mundane. Therefore, that is not ultimate truth. Thus, He had to search for a bhāvanā that enables Him to realize the ultimate truth.

I see no difference between those teachings. There is jhana. Jhana appears. You master jhana. Once it is gone or not present You observe falling away of things, including jhana. This is the most important part from this link:

Such is cognition, such its origination, such its disappearance.' This is the development of absorption (samadhi) that, when developed & pursued, leads to the ending of the effluents.

As Jesus said:

You Will Know Them by Their Fruits

So the fruit of jhana is for example one's piti and sukha atmosphere that increases during the practice. I can feel the same thing from many guys from many traditions. So this is not enough, means something but...what next?

Not many guys we see having super-powers.

Here is quote about Wahirabuddhi Thero from: https://dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?t=23206&start=20

That's good for reading his whole book. I couldnt realize his Arahantship while reading his book. but I realized he is telling something deep more than other sri lankan monks. thats why we went to meet him. he is live in top of mountain and take only one meal per day. he come down in his KUTI in the morning and having dhamma discussion with the people who were there on that time and going back. I had oppotunity to stay that monastery for 17 days and observe his behaviors. I follow his teachings and start meditation on that time. without asking single question he knows what was our experience while meditating. he did not allow every one to meet him. Only the person who willing to follow this noble eight fold path can meet him and get advises. he conducted 4 dhamma sermons in 2006 and that contains in the book. That sermons given the starting knowledge and its helps to get "SAMMA DHITTI" and start to follow norble eight path. I realized his qualities and his knowledge while i was there. thats y I said he is in great possition.
In here one sutta comes to my mind . may be you heard about it. "Satta Jatila suthra". In there buddha says as follows

I mean this

"without asking single question he knows what was our experience while meditating."

Just story from the forum.

My conclusion is that there is no other way for saying someone reached something unless stay with him for some time or meet him outside the body when You both meditate. Both options separately could be misleading, but together give some assurence.

For example I feel pretty much the same things from Mahanuwara Wajirabuddhi Thero as from mentioned Ajahn Mun. Their practical aspect had to be similar.

[Jhanananda]

Hmm... I mean, lets look at it. We have those http://www.greatwesternvehicle.org/fruit.htm 11 fruits as You gathered them together.

But how to believe someone we do not know? We can 'think' or 'assume', meet in real life, experience this or that, meet him outside the physical body and ask if he is conscious or he just sleeps and if conscious we have a fruition-but still one can OOB without practicing jhana. No matter how many times investigated person reached Nirvana, there is something special about this person if only he practices jhana. All of those whom I am trying to investigate I found vibrating with jhana. But this is not enough to say one is Arahant, Anagami etc.

We just need to keep in mind that "we know a tree by its fruit."  If we keep this in mind, while investigating organized religion we see that organized religion has no idea regarding the superior fruit of attainment (maha-phala), and we also find that most organized religions have shown that they regularly marginalize people who manifest the superior fruit of attainment (maha-phala).  Thus, we can conclude that organized religion is a fraud and has always been a fraud.

When it comes to a guru, then we have to look at how well that person demonstrates a knowledge of the superior fruit of attainment (maha-phala).  If we examine the gurus of the recent past we see no evidence that any of them understood the superior fruit of attainment (maha-phala).  Thus we can conclude that most, if not all, of the gurus in the last 60 years were complete frauds.

Regarding the gurus of the present and future, it is all too easy to study my work, and repeat it, or reference it, to demonstrate that they understand the superior fruit of attainment (maha-phala).  So, here we would also have to investigate the individual's lifestyle.  If that guru has been screwing the wives of his disciples, or stock-piling wealth, weapons or power, or otherwise in mad pursiut of the other 7 deadly sins, then we can conclude that the guru in question is a fraud.

Lets quote this

There is the case where feelings are known to the monk as they arise, known as they persist, known as they subside. Perceptions are known to him as they arise, known as they persist, known as they subside. Thoughts are known to him as they arise, known as they persist, known as they subside. This is the development of absorption (samadhi) that, when developed & pursued, leads to mindfulness & alertness (sati).

"And what is the development of absorption (samadhi) that, when developed & pursued, leads to the ending of the effluents? There is the case where a monk remains focused on arising & falling away with reference to the five clinging-aggregates (cognition): 'Such is form, such its origination, such its passing away. Such is feeling, such its origination, such its passing away. Such is perception, such its origination, such its passing away. Such are fabrications, such their origination, such their passing away. Such is cognition, such its origination, such its disappearance.' This is the development of absorption (samadhi) that, when developed & pursued, leads to the ending of the effluents.
"These are the four developments of absorption.”

and compare it with afore-mentioned page from book:

When did He realize it? What did He initially study under teachers, Ālārakālāma, and Uddakārāma? They were those eight Samāpaththi Samatha bhāvanā, which took him up to Nēvasaʼnʼnā-Nāsaʼnʼnā! However, they are mundane. They are anicca. They are dukkha. They are anatta. They are mundane. Therefore, that is not ultimate truth. Thus, He had to search for a bhāvanā that enables Him to realize the ultimate truth.

Whomever came to this conclusion is clearly a fraud; because the suttas clearly validate all 8 stages of samadhi.  If a teacher rejects any of the 8 stages of samadhi, then we can conclude that such a teacher is a fraud; because, after all, the Noble Eightfold Path is defined in part by the 8 stages of samadhi.

I see no difference between those teachings. There is jhana. Jhana appears. You master jhana. Once it is gone or not present You observe falling away of things, including jhana. This is the most important part from this link:

Such is cognition, such its origination, such its disappearance.' This is the development of absorption (samadhi) that, when developed & pursued, leads to the ending of the effluents.

As Jesus said:

You Will Know Them by Their Fruits

So the fruit of jhana is for example one's piti and sukha atmosphere that increases during the practice. I can feel the same thing from many guys from many traditions. So this is not enough, means something but...what next?

But, we have to keep in mind all 7 factors of enlightenment, not just 2 of those factors.

Not many guys we see having super-powers.

Here is quote about Wahirabuddhi Thero from: https://dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?t=23206&start=20

That's good for reading his whole book. I couldnt realize his Arahantship while reading his book. but I realized he is telling something deep more than other sri lankan monks. thats why we went to meet him. he is live in top of mountain and take only one meal per day. he come down in his KUTI in the morning and having dhamma discussion with the people who were there on that time and going back. I had oppotunity to stay that monastery for 17 days and observe his behaviors. I follow his teachings and start meditation on that time. without asking single question he knows what was our experience while meditating. he did not allow every one to meet him. Only the person who willing to follow this noble eight fold path can meet him and get advises. he conducted 4 dhamma sermons in 2006 and that contains in the book. That sermons given the starting knowledge and its helps to get "SAMMA DHITTI" and start to follow norble eight path. I realized his qualities and his knowledge while i was there. thats y I said he is in great possition.
In here one sutta comes to my mind . may be you heard about it. "Satta Jatila suthra". In there buddha says as follows

I mean this

"without asking single question he knows what was our experience while meditating."

Just story from the forum.

My conclusion is that there is no other way for saying someone reached something unless stay with him for some time or meet him outside the body when You both meditate. Both options separately could be misleading, but together give some assurence.

For example I feel pretty much the same things from Mahanuwara Wajirabuddhi Thero as from mentioned Ajahn Mun. Their practical aspect had to be similar.

This is good advice, but see my comments above.

[Jhanek]

"Whomever came to this conclusion is clearly a fraud; because the suttas clearly validate all 8 stages of samadhi.  If a teacher rejects any of the 8 stages of samadhi, then we can conclude that such a teacher is a fraud; because, after all, the Noble Eightfold Path is defined in part by the 8 stages of samadhi."

I was not thinking that way. Hmm. You mean that teacher should not reject 8 stages in general - here I agree, but labeling them as anicca does not sounds like fraud, does it? If there are 8 stages, one cannot attain all of them same time, so the rest of the stages are also impermanent(however, to be remembered each following 'includes' previous stages). One should master jhana, but not crave for more jhana - even if at the same time it is an enlightenment factor.
For sure some less experienced teachers reject some parts of valuable practice. Here it looks like rather some different angle of view, at least I hope so. When I finish this book I can summarise it.

[Jhanananda]

One should keep in mind that all 7 factors of enlightenment are acquired through samadhi.  Also, we find here that the hindrances are eliminated via samadhi.  So, while samadhi might be impermanent, it is nonetheless essential for liberation and enlightenment.

[Jhanek]

Interesting part of the book, I had some free time and already started chapter II:

Also, if You did not try it yourself, I highly recommend to observe inside of mind made body(cittacittenupassana). I mean by that: let your mind observe your mind inside - literally. Once You leave the body, try this!

Heard a recurring click, “tick, tick, and tick” by striking
something on a table. What happens there? We hear the sound
at each strike, but instantly it disappears! Along with it, Viʼnñāna
appeared and passed away instantly. Then what is happening in
this Panchchupādānaskandha process, appearing-disappearing. It
appears it disappears. It arises and fades away. This keeps
happening fast.
This is a swiftly occurring process. None understands this
as the process is rapidly appearing-disappearing. The Arahants
are the ones who know this Panchchupādānaskandha process.
The Buddha had realized this first.
Prince Siddhartha gone in search of dhamma, on the last
day, on the day of the attainment of Buddha-hood, what did He
do first sitting under that Asatu Bo tree? He sat under that tree
and started meditating utilizing the known method, Ānāpāna
Sathi bhāvanā! He started practicing that, the Ānāpāna Sathi
bhāvanā.
*The World (Lōka)+  101
What did he do afterward?
Through it, He had developed first dyāna, then, second
dyāna, then third dyāna, and up to the fourth dyāna. After that,
then leaving the dyāna, the Buddha had said, He had looked at
the world. Now, He had been looking for what world that night,
in dark, under a tree. Looking at that world means He was looking
at this process. He had looked at His own inside. This is what
happened while He was looking inside Him.
Heard a sound, it disappeared, heard another sound with
the other ear, appeared-disappeared. A breeze - touched the
body, felt a chill or something, and disappeared. Here, the
Buddha witnessed the world. This is it. What is going on? This
appearing-disappearing process; a sound appeared and
disappeared, an external sound is external – that is rūpa and eye
having contact with each other, a vin̊ ñāna occurred - Nāma
Chaitasika. Nāma-Rūpa, citta and body, both Nāma and Rūpa
appearing - disappearing without leaving a residue, kept on
appearing-disappearing; this is the process.
Thus, this is what is called world. Then, this world is
anicca; appearing-disappearing, is anicca. Then, does what is
anicca could be happy ever? Everything that is anicca is dukkha!
That is why the Buddha told Venerable Ananda “the world is
situated on dukkha,” actually, the world sited on this anicca.
Dukkha means anicca, world formed on the anicca. Then, none in
this world, except the Arahants knows this. Until the Buddha
experienced enlightenment and disclosed it to the world, until the
Buddha realized this, none knew about it. First, the Buddha
realized, this is what, going on there. Afterward, He expounded it
to the others outside. After that, developing that process
accordingly, developing the Nobel Eightfold Path, this
Panchchupādānaskandha dukkha they saw. The realization of
this Panchchupādānaskandha dukkha is called Arahant Pala!
This is the Vijjā. Until realized this, we are in Avijjā. Vijjā is seeing
this. This is what the Buddha saw that night. This is what is
perceived as experiencing Arahant Pala. That is why the Buddha
made many inspirational utterances.

[Jhanananda]

Thanks, Janek, for posting the interesting quote.  We do not know; however, where it is from.  It does show the evidence of Mahayana Buddhism, as the Pali term 'jhana' is incorrectly translated at 'dyāna'. Thus, we can conclude the source is the Sanskrit version of the Pali Canon, which is full of translation errors.  While this commentary incorporates a fairly useful meditation technique of reflecting upon permanence and impermanence; nonetheless, when one has arrived at the 2nd jhana, then one no longer needs meditation techniques.  One need only return to the 2nd and deeper levels of jhana for a progressive awakening.

[Jhanek]

We do not know; however, where it is from.

Mahanuwara Wajirabuddhi Thēra writes all his thoughts basing on Sanskrit and he is born in Sri Lanka, so he wrote basing on local teachings using his own tamil language quoting Sanskrit version of pali. I have no knowledge what materials and what quality are available there in Sri Lanka.

However I was not familiar with how Buddha came to his achievement and now I somehow closer understand this. Still - I think it is available to all of us to see how the mind works inside and I highly recommand this journey as mind-blowing.

Maybe I deliver some more context to this:

One day Venerable Ananda, the Chief Attendant of the
Buddha approached Him and asked, “Exalted One where is the
world?”
Very simple question, “Lord, where is the world?” The
Buddha answered saying, “Ananda, the world exists on dukkha!”
What would we do if the same question were asked us?
We would be searching for the location of the world. We will turn
around, look at the sky, or look for a globe or the world map, we
are used to look for the world naked to our eyes, is not that the
case? That is the world, we can think of.
However, the Buddha gave a different answer. Let see,
what the answer is.

page 93

 

Through it, He had developed first dyāna, then, second
dyāna, then third dyāna, and up to the fourth dyāna. After that,
then leaving the dyāna, the Buddha had said, He had looked at
the world. Now, He had been looking for what world that night,
in dark, under a tree. Looking at that world means He was looking
at this process. He had looked at His own inside. This is what
happened while He was looking inside Him.

page 101

There is huge difference in reading about it and experiencing/witnessing it. So it may not be, as Mahanuwara Wajirabuddhi Thēra says here, limited to Arahant's Pala (Phala?) but rather available for all having contemplative life, yet being an Arahant gives 100% easy access to see this in my understanding.

[Jhanananda]

If we wish to understand Siddhartha Gautama's journey to enlightenment, then we would want to study MN-26 and 36.  After reading them see if you find any difference in what the Pali suttas say, and what the Sanskrit suttas say, and/or what people claiming to understand the journey to enlightenment say.

[Jhanek]

Thanks Jhanananda

Then it occurred to me, this Teaching does not lead to giving up, detachment, cessation, appeasement, knowledge enlightenment and extinction. It leads up to the sphere of neither-perception-nor-non-perception only, not satisfied I turned away from it.

Then it occurred to me: This teaching does not lead to giving up, detachment, cessation, appeasement, knowledge enlightenment and extinction. It leads up to the sphere of nothingness only. Not satisfied I turned away from it.

It clears me one thing. As I said before in another thread, thinking: 8th Jhana=Arahat, now I see nothing doing.

This Teaching that I have realised is deep, difficult to see, and understand, appeasing and exalted, it cannot be realised logically. It is clever and should be understood by the wise. The populace fond of settling and attached to settling, does not see this difficult point, that dependent arising is from this cause. [2] This point too is difficult to see, that is the appeasement of all determinations, [3] the giving up of all endearments, [4] destruction of craving, detachment, cessation and extinction. If I teach this to others they would not understand it, and I would only reap fatigue.

There it is! 'Difficult to see!' He says one have to see it, so as I recommanded - go and look for it on your own as it is mind blowing and you are already able to see it reaching 4th(within body) or 5th jhana(leaving body) is enough, go see like I did.

Then it occurred to me to whom shall I give the first discourse? Then I thought this âlàra Kàlàma is very wise, has been with few defilements for a long time, if I give the first discourse to him, he will indeed realise this Teaching very quickly. Then the gods approached me and told. Venerable sir, he passed away seven days ago. Then the knowledge arose its seven days since he passed away. Then it occurred to me, âlàra Kàlàma is wise if he had heard this Teaching, he would have realised it quickly. Again, it occurred to me. To whom shall I give the first discourse? Uddaka Ràmaputta is very wise and has long been with few defilements. If I give the first discourse to him, he will learn the Teaching quickly. Then the gods approached me and told. Venerable sir, he passed away last night.

This one is very good. Buddha wanted to go to the wise and with few defilements for a long time.

So at the moment Buddha reached 8th Jhana by Alara Kalama, they were both in same situation. Neither was Arahant, probably even not Sotapanna. Why I think so? There was no clear understanding of anicca, defilements etc which was to be discovered soon and what is more in that particular life Buddha was trying many different things that were nearby to lower fetters sīlabbata-parāmāsa and vicikicca what blocks realisation of Nibanna for the first time.

So therefore I think at the moment Buddha went to this 5th Jhana and started observing inner reality(literally) he realised the path to cessation of dukha and he became Sotapanna. Then depending on his amount of defilements, just after, maybe even minutes, maybe hours after, he became an Arahant by ceasing remaining defilements; and then at his first teaching he says that he is the only one Arahant, self realised so called: Sammasambuddha.

I realised this by myself and have no Teacher.
Or an equal among gods and men
I'm perfect in this world. I'm the incomparable Teacher

Now how is it possible that he made it so fast just after entering and rediscovering the path?

Having overcome all the sphere of no-thingness attained to abides in the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception. Overcoming all the sphere of neither-perception -nor-non-perception attains to the cessation of perceptions and feelings. Seeing it with wisdom too desires get destroyed. Bhikkhus, to this is said, the bhikkhu has blindfolded death. Destroying the feetless one has gone beyond the sight of death. Crossing over to the beyond he goes with confidence, stands with confidence, sits with confidence and lies with confidence. What is the reason Has gone beyond the sight of death.

Because he already knew high jhana state! Which is unlikely to most of nowadays practitioners who rather start from anapana, observing defilements and then slowly they reach jhana state. This takes decades.

So without realising the path the jhana is useless, but once the path is known jhana helps with many things. Or when the path is missing one needs jhana to rediscover it.

So in details:

  I attained to the fourth absorption (jhana). Aggivessana, even those pleasant feelings, did not take hold of my mind and settle.

When the mind was absorbed, pure, free from minor defilements, was malleable workable not disturbed, I directed the mind for the destruction of desires. Knew this is unpleasant (dukkha), knew this is arising of unpleasantness, knew this is cessation of unpleasantness and knew this is the path to the cessation of unpleasantness as it really is.: Knew these are desires, knew the arising of desires, knew the cessation of desires and knew the path to the cessation of desires as it really is. I, knew and saw them and the mind was released, from sensual desires, from desires �to be�, and from ignorant desires When released knowledge arose, I�m released, birth is destroyed, what should be done is done. The holy life is lived to the end. I knew, there is nothing more to wish. Aggivessana, this is the third knowledge, I attained in the last watch of the night. Ignorance was dispelled, knowledge arose, as it happens to those abiding diligent for dispelling. Aggivessana, even these pleasant feelings did not take hold of my mind and settle.

Here is the description of becoming an Arahant.

what should be done is done

For me now everything is clear. At least for now. Maybe some more questions arise, but for now I feel like I am sure, having everything needed.

Thanks for Your support!

[Jhanananda]

In MN 22 we see only the 4 jhanas described, and the result of mastering the 4th is arahatship. In MN-26 we see all 8 stages of samadhi lead to full liberation.  Therefore, the full journey to enlightenment involves mastering all 8 stages of samadhi; however, mastering the 4 jhanas is essential for the arahat, which leads to full liberation.