Did Buddha Invent Jhana?
Jhana meditation has its origin in ancient Indian (India) spiritual traditions and predates the emergence of Buddhism more than 2567 years ago. While Jhana is closely associated with both Hinduism and Buddhism, its practice was not exclusive to either or any other religious sect early on.
The precise historical origins of Jhana meditation are difficult to pinpoint, as it emerged organically within the broader context of ascetic and contemplative practices in ancient India. However, it is believed to have been practiced by various spiritual seekers and ascetics long before the time of the Buddha.
Buddha mentioned practicing the Jhanas in his younger years and also in the Suttas it is stated that other people in the community were practicing it too.
Jhana meditation likely existed as a non-sectarian practice that was adopted and adapted by different religious and philosophical schools in ancient India, including early Brahmanical traditions and pre-Buddhist ascetic communities. These early practitioners explored various techniques for cultivating deep states of concentration and absorption as a means of spiritual attainment.
Nobody before the Buddha had reached liberation from suffering using the Jhanas.
The Buddha himself did not invent Jhana meditation but rather mastered and taught existing techniques as part of his spiritual quest for enlightenment. According to traditional accounts, Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, studied under well-known teachers and practiced severe asceticism before ultimately realizing the limitations of such practices and discovering the Middle Way forward instead of denying himself basic comforts.
After attaining enlightenment after entering the Jhanas, the Buddha incorporated Jhana meditation into his teachings as a means of cultivating mental clarity, tranquility, and insight on the path to liberation from suffering.
He emphasized the importance of balanced practice, combining concentration (Samadhi) with insight (Vipassana), and taught Jhana meditation as one of the essential components of the Noble Eightfold Path.
The Buddha’s teachings on Jhana meditation have been preserved in the early Buddhist scriptures, such as the Pali Canon, and continue to be transmitted and practiced within Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana Buddhist traditions to this day.
Takeaways
While many different religious sects today use Jhanas as a tool for spiritual enrichment or enlightenment, the practice itself seems to have come out of nowhere. There are no clear roots or indications as to how it was developed.
There are a number of kinds of Jhana that meditation teachers teach. I teach the Visuddhimagga Jhanas. Many monks and other teachers teach something else that for lack of a better word, are called the Sutta Jhanas. The Sutta Jhanas require less absorption. You can be aware of more going on around you.
In the Visuddhimagga Jhanas, from Jhana 2 and forward, there is no awareness in the moment of any sensations coming in through the usual sensory input organs.
Clearly some people had a real fascination with the mind and how it worked. The path to Jhana is not intutitive at all. It takes real effort along a predefined set of steps in order to reach full concentration on the breath.
It’s a fascinating piece of the puzzle when compared with where we are today. We have a very good idea of the path to follow and there is a lot of help available.
Introduction to Jhana (Index) >
My take on the Jhanas (video)
How Does Deep Jhana Change You?
I recently began offering “Jhana meditation coaching calls“ – 30 to 120 minute calls.