The essence of Buddhist meditation - Dhyana (2/3)

Dhyana, in Indian philosophy, is a stage in the process of meditation leading to Nirvana.

In the oldest texts of Buddhism, Dhyana (Sanskrit) or jhana (Pali) is a component of the training of the mind (bhavana), commonly translated as meditation, to withdraw the mind from the automatic responses to sense-impressions, "burn up" the defilements, and lead to a "state of perfect equanimity and awareness (upekkha-sati-parisuddhi). 

Dhyana may have been the core practice of pre-sectarian Buddhism, in combination with several related practices that together led to perfected mindfulness and detachment. 

Dhyana in Vajrayana Buddhism 

Dhyana (in Tibetan: bsam gtan) (lit. “mental absorption”) One of a series of increasingly concentrated states attained in placement meditation. 

On the basis of the attainment of tranquil abiding, one may pass through four form-world absorptions and four formless absorptions, with the meditative equipoise of cessation sometimes added as a ninth. 

Mental absorptions may result in various yogic achievements, but they do not assure liberation unless combined with superior insight into the nature of reality.

Dhyana (meditation) refers to one of the six limbs of yoga to be employed in Uttamasev (excellent worship), according to the Guhyasamaja chapter 18. 

The Guhyasamaja chapter 18. Dhyana (meditation) is explained as the conception of the five desired objects through the five Dhyāni Buddhas, namely, Vairocana, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha, Amoghasiddhi, and Akṣobhya. 

This Dhyana is again subdivided into five kinds:

1) Vitarka (cogitation)
2) Vicara (thinking)
3) Priti (pleasure)
4) Sukha (happiness)
5) Ekagrata (concentration)

Dhyana is the name of a Dakini who, together with the Vira (hero) named Dhyanacinta forms one of the 36 pairs situated in the Vakcakra, according to the 10th century Dakarnava chapter 15.

Accordingly, the vakcakra refers to one of the three divisions of the nirmaṇa-puṭa (emanation layer), situated in the Herukamandala. 

The 36 pairs of Dakinis [Dhyana] and Viras are reddish madder in color; they each have one face and four arms; they hold a skull bowl, a skull staff, a small drum, and a knife. 

Dhyana refers to one of the “four mountains” (Parvata), according to the Guru Mandala Worship. The ritual is often performed in combination with the Cakrasamvara Samadhi, which refers to the primary puja and sadhana practice of Newah Mahayana-Vajrayana Buddhists in Nepal. 

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