2.1.4. Degrees of Efficacy in Good Consciousness of the Three Realms (DS2.1.4)

1. Good consciousness in the Universe of Sense (kāmāvacarakusalaṃ)

Which are the states that are good?

When a good thought concerning the sensuous universe has arisen, which is (1) accompanied by gladness and associated with knowledge—a thought which is

of inferior, or

of medium, or

of superlative [efficacy],

or the dominant influence in which is

desire, or

energy, or

[another] thought, or

investigation;

or the dominant influence in which is

desire of inferior,

… of medium, or

… of superlative [efficacy];

or the dominant influence in which is

energy of inferior,

… of medium, or

… of superlative [efficacy];

or the dominant influence in which is

[another] thought of inferior

… of medium,

… or superlative [efficacy];

or the dominant influence in which is

investigation of inferior,

… of medium, or

… of superlative [efficacy],

then the contact … the balance that rises—these … are states that are good.

Which are the states that are good?

When a good thought concerning the sensuous universe has arisen which is (2.) accompanied by gladness, associated with knowledge, and instigated …

or (3.) accompanied by gladness, and disconnected with knowledge …

or (4.) accompanied by gladness, disconnected with knowledge, and instigated …

or (5.) accompanied by indifference, and associated with knowledge …

or (6.) accompanied by indifference, associated with knowledge, and instigated …

or (7.) accompanied by indifference, and disconnected with knowledge …

or (8.) accompanied by indifference, disconnected with knowledge, and instigated—a thought which is of inferior …

or of medium …

or of superlative [efficacy] …

or the dominant influence in which is

desire, or

energy, or

another thought;

or the dominant influence in which is

desire of inferior,

… of medium, or

… of superlative [efficacy];

or the dominant influence in which is

energy of inferior,

… of medium, or

… of superlative [efficacy];

or the dominant influence in which is

[another] thought of inferior,

… of medium,

… or of superlative [efficacy];

then the contact … the balance that arises—these are states that are good.

2. Good in Relation to the Universe of Form

Which are the states that are good?

When, that he may attain to the heavens of Form, he cultivates the way thereto, and, aloof from sensuous desires, aloof from evil ideas, by earth-gazing enters into and abides in the First Jhāna (the first rapt meditation) … which is

of inferior,

or of medium,

or of superlative [efficacy]

or the dominant influence in which is

desire,

or energy,

or a thought,

or investigation;

or the dominant influence in which is

desire … energy … a thought … investigation

… of inferior,

… of medium,

… or of superlative [efficacy]—

then the contact … the balance that arises—these … are states that are good.

Repeat in the case of the other Jhānas, both of (a) and (b).

3. Good in Relation to the Formless Universe

Which are the states that are good?

When, that he may attain to the Formless heavens, he cultivates the way thereto, and so, by passing wholly beyond all consciousness of form, by the dying out of consciousness of sensory reaction, by turning the attention from any consciousness of the manifold, he enters into and abides in that rapt meditation which is accompanied by the consciousness of a sphere of unbounded space—even into the Fourth Jhāna, to gain which all sense of ease has been put away, etc.—(the rapt meditation) where there is neither ill nor ease, but only the perfect purity that comes of mindfulness and indifference, and which is of

inferior …

of medium …

or of superlative [efficacy] …

or the dominant influence in which is

desire, …

or energy …

or a thought …

or investigation …

or the dominant influence in which is

desire … energy … a thought … investigation

… of inferior …

… of medium …

… or of superlative [efficacy]—

then the contact … the balance that arises—these are states that are good.

Here follow the three remaining “Jhānas connected with Formless Existence”, each modified by the characteristics enumerated in the foregoing answer. Cf. §§ 266–268.

A Buddhist Manual of Psychological Ethics, a translation of the Dhammasaṅgaṇī, Compendium of States or Phenomena, by Caroline A.F. Rhys Davids and D. Litt., M.A..

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