Ekaggata

[Benj]

I would like to get some opinions of my interpretation of the Pali term ekaggata.

I have found a few Pali dictionaries which translate the term ekagga as 'tranquil', which got me thinking. Perhaps ekaggata means 'tranquility' or what we refer to as still mind.

Here's my reasoning: Whilst approaching the first jhana I definitely experience fluctuating moments of still mind. As the first jhana is met, I can certainly say that there is a degree of still mind, as vitakka and viccara are maintained. As I move over into the second, I feel as if the still mind already established is focused in on and becomes the main attraction, as V+V drop away. As far as I can see ekaggata is listed in each of the four jhanas. Perhaps what the Buddha was trying to say that still mind is a required factor in all jhanas and necessary for forward momentum, right from the first. This makes a lot of sense as I still cannot identify one-pointedness in my meditation. My overall interpretation of the first jhana looks like this.

Concentration = vitakka and viccara
Pleasant feeling = piti
Satisfaction = Sukha
Still mind = ekaggata

This would support the idea that second jhana is just the need to concentrate dropping away, leaving the remaining factors. Combining V+V to form concentration also supports the terms movement away from samadhi. When concentration is used in the suttas the Buddha actually means concentrating, not absorption. It feels to me that he felt the need to break faculty of concentration into two when talking about meditation for better results, thus we have V+V (he was a master of breaking things down, after all). Therefore ekaggata is not concentration or a form there of. It is the faculty of still mind experienced in each jhana. 

Furthermore, lending to this idea; joy is the defining trait in the first jhana for which there is a corresponding factor, Sukha the defining trait of the third of which there is a corresponding factor, equanimity for the fourth. So, why if still mind is the defining trait of the second, still mind is not listed as a required factor in any of the Jhanas? I would argue that still mind is listed as a factor by the Buddha and that it is ekaggata.

Keen to know your thoughts.

PS: if this is gets debunked, I have two more theories for ekaggata, spawned from my ongoing dissatisfaction with the term one-pointedness.

[bodhimind]

eka means 'one', aggata refers to 'predominance'. The problem with direct translation is that it nearly always never finds an adequate expression in the limited English language - different languages have different nuances. Maybe it just means single mind... or unification... or absorption... I doubt you can really translate that exactly in English.

vittaka and vicara are two things, don't lump them together as concentration. vittaka means to direct the mind's attention towards something, vicara means to hold it there so it doesn't go away. It doesn't mean to 'concentrate'... Very different thing... That's why GWV uses the word 'absorption state' in place of samadhi as well. Concentrate carries a hidden meaning of using effort, while being absorbed only takes effort for the start and becomes effortless after that.

If you say it is concentration, then an Olympic athlete is going to go into jhana. So is a student doing his homework. The quality of concentration denotes some form of clinging onto, while letting go of the five-senses and withdrawing from them is the pre-requisite.

tranquility is passaddhi, still-mind - the mind is quietened and non-dual in second jhana.

how do we know the Buddha is talking about absorption and not concentration? Very easy. Look at the sequence of the jhana factors.

First jhana = vicara and vitaka present. In second jhana, these two are replaced by "unification of awareness". The sutta says:

"he enters and remains in the second jhana, with bliss (piti) and joy (sukha) born of tranquility (passaddhi) and unification of awareness FREE from applied and sustained attention (vitakka and vicára)"

imo however, this tranquility is very different from the quality of equanimity later on.

[Benj]

With regard to concentration. I think we still run the risk of over complicating the buddhas teaching from the texts we have. We all know what concentration means. It means bringing your attention to something and sustaining it there which takes a certain amount of effort. I think it's possible that the Buddha broke concentration into two to help us in meditation. There are other places he speaks of concentration in meditation and just uses the word concentration.. The simile of tempering gold is one. It seems likely to me that he is talking about the same faculty in different ways. Sometimes saying concentration sometimes using v+v when talking about jhana because he recognised concentration can be broken into two and would be helpful seen in this way when attempting to absorb. I do not associate the word concentration with absorbtion or samadhi. I associate concentration with.... concentrating. Bringing your attention something and holding it there with a degree of effort. Also I believe athletes do get into the first jhana. Yesterday I was carrying my son on my shoulders up a very large hill. I was very tired and realised I could gain energy if I got into jhana. Simply concentrating and relaxing on the body indeed ebmabled me to go much much further. In fact I broke through what they call 'the barrier'. I'm not sure a student would get into jhana as they wouldn't be concentrating on the body and internal experience.

With regard to ekaggata. This is a complicated one. i need to reflect on your feedback some more. I can see that he refers to tranquility in his description of the second jhana so my interpretation may well be on thin ice Perhaps ekaggata might mean a combination of still mind and unification of awareness. Although the latter would serve as a much better translation. Thanks for your feedback.

PS: forgive me if I'm a bit gung ho on all of this. I've never had the opportunity to talk to others about these subjects. Been a long time coming.

[Jhanananda]

ekka= one
gatta= gate

The senses were known at the time of the redaction of the Pali canon to be "sense gates."

Thus, when we are one pointed in concentration, then we are correctly applying the meditation technique, which leads to a still mind, which is what the 2nd jhana is.

[Benj]

Ok I see what you are saying, coincidentally, I fell into the second jhana last night with great clarity. The mind was very still, quiet and open. I had not experienced jhana like this for sometime and I remembered the clear distinction between mind in the first and second. I'm now seeing that the mind is not still in the first, so ekaggata cannot mean still mind. Thanks for the help BM + J

[Jhanananda]

Benj, it is good to know that you had a clear experience of the still mind of the 2nd jhana.  Often people who begin to be part of a community that supports deep meditation begin very quickly to experience deep meditation.  So, I am not surprised that you had this experience of the 2nd jhana.