Expert: Bodhicitta - 7/22/2006

Question
Dear Bodhicitta .
Namo Amitabha .
I have a question on meditation .
I understand that doing Samadhi meditation ( breath meditation ) can reach us to Jhanna 4 . Can Metta meditation produce Jhanna 4 ?
How about Vispassana meditation , can it produce Jhanna 4 in the meditator ?
Thank you very much .

Answer
Dear Bodhicitta

"I understand that doing Samadhi meditation"
I think you mean Samatha (concentration) meditation.

In terms of Jhana states there are various levels according
to the Therevadan traditions . There are the four mundane
levels to which I think you are refering. These levels
are bound to the normal worldly level and are reached through Samatha meditation. There are then
four formless levels also mundane. Then there are supramundane which are only reached through vipassana.

Metta meditation is listed in the sutras as one possible route to mndane jhana.But it could also lead to one of
the higher states of jhana.  The subject is somewhat complex.

Bodhicitta.