In some respects the Greek word theoria and the Sanskrit word dhyâna are almost the same. Both generally refer to contemplation (L., contemplatio), but contemplation as esoteric which involves the highest kind of mentality (P., abhicetasika).
In the Greek sense, it is by theoria that the good, which is beyond being, is contemplated. This includes the contemplation of the beautiful which is inaccessible to concepts of any kind.
On the question of Buddhist dhyâna, it is by dhyâna that Moggallâna, a chief disciple, is said to enter other worlds so as to be able to report on the destiny of those who had died. In addition, one in the forth dhyâna can be beware of the presence of devas (gods), and converse with them.
As far as spiritual disembodiment is concerned, after the fourth dhyâna, a monk is said to have a clear observation of his consciousness as different from his physical body, but enveloped and bound by it. On the same track, the Buddhist adept who is in the fourth dhyâna can make a spiritual body (manomaya) complete in all its limbs and faculties.
What has been said thus far about contemplation, especially Buddhist dhyâna, is instructive for the beginner who at least will understand that Buddhist meditation (dhyâna) is just not about sitting on a zafu in some Zen center trying to keep still.
"Btw this is the year of the Black water Dragon (began 23 January). Very good year for spiritual practise.
manomaya-kāya is in a way the repository of the unlimited freedom the Bodhisattva enjoys, extending throughout the totality of meditative spheres of consciousness—the so-called ten stages [bhumis] of the Bodhisattva’s meditative consciousness in the permanent medium/essence of Mind Only (cittamatra). Manomaya-kāya is hence not a real entity, but a more colorful description for the unlimited mental and spiritual capacities of the practitioner of dhyana."
Hmmm...seems that in this mystical year of the Black Water Dragon that the Unborn Bard's spiritual juice is being rekindled...this is good.
Posted by: MStrinado | January 25, 2012 at 02:37 PM
Humm. Obviously I wasnt clear enough in my previous comment. My grumpy sense of humour seems to have obscured the point of the joke.
The Manomaya-kaya is a meditators (yogi) ´"new" body, created (produced) in the deep 4th jhana stage of dhyana. Once created (produced) It is clearly distinguished from the mortal body by virtue of Minds disembodiment from the previous psychophysical matrix, during the extremely blissful 4th jhana. In the sutras (like the Lanka or queen srimala) it is described as the "body made by mind", as such performing supernormal cool activities as penetrating mountains, leaping across this or other world systems and even as mentioned in the book 26 (the ten stages) of the avatamsaka, instantly jumping between worlds/realms and of course many many other awesome tricks that would make George Lucas SF team, green with envy.
These activities qualified by most buddhists as supernormal in that they remain empirically unverifiable has led to the representation of manomaya-kāya as belonging to a mystical or magical (read, “irrational”) dimension of Buddhism. It is practised by the mystics of Chan Buddhism, referred to in ancient china as Black Dragons [Xuanlong - wise spirits, dwelling in the depths of the minds mystic waters ].
Btw this is the year of the Black water Dragon (began 23 January). Very good year for spiritual practise.
manomaya-kāya is in a way the repository of the unlimited freedom the Bodhisattva enjoys, extending throughout the totality of meditative spheres of consciousness—the so-called ten stages [bhumis] of the Bodhisattva’s meditative consciousness in the permanent medium/essence of Mind Only (cittamatra). Manomaya-kāya is hence not a real entity, but a more colorful description for the unlimited mental and spiritual capacities of the practitioner of dhyana.
Posted by: azanshi | January 25, 2012 at 11:31 AM
Clyde...clyde...I have encountered bags of hammers with more spiritual potential than you.
So you mean that somewhere beyond that oversized haze of skandhas you hold on too so dearly, there is a miraculous manomaya body waiting for you. That of course once you manage to cut, like some spiritual indiana jones through the thick jungle of your own ignorance, is that what you mean?
I ll save this one Clyde. It is one of your more humorous comments. Worthy some good laughs during harsh winter nights.
Posted by: azanshi | January 25, 2012 at 10:05 AM
Clyde, Yeah, and maybe this spiritual body is just being aware and when we are aware that is the manomayakaya! However, in I.B. Horner trans. she uses the word "produce" (M.ii.17). :)
Posted by: kojizen | January 25, 2012 at 08:32 AM
“On the same track, the Buddhist adept who is in the fourth dhyâna can make a spiritual body (manomaya) complete in all its limbs and faculties.”
It seems to me that one doesn’t “make” or fashion a spiritual body; rather it seems that one realizes or sees one’s spiritual body.
Posted by: clyde | January 25, 2012 at 02:48 AM