1. Once the venerable Mahamoggallana was living at Savatthi in Jeta's grove, Anathapindika's park.

2. There the venerable Mahamoggallana addressed the monks saying: "Monks, friends." And those monks replied: "Yes, friend."

3. "Venerable Mahamoggallana said: "Friends, when I was in seclusion this thinking and pondering occurred to me, 'It is said the first jhana. What is the first jhana?'

4. "Friends, then it occurred to me, quite secluded from sensuality, secluded from unskillful (mental) qualities -- one enters & remains in the first jhana: rapture & happiness born of seclusion, accompanied by initial & sustained thinking. This is the first jhana.

5. "Then friends, quite secluded from sensuality, secluded from unskillful (mental) qualities -- I entered & remained in the first jhana: rapture & happiness born of seclusion, accompanied by initial & sustained thinking. When abiding in the first jhana, sensual perceptions and thoughts assailed me.

6 Then the Blessed One approached me by psychic power and said: `Moggallana, Noble Man! Do not be negligent! Steady your mind in the first jhana, unify¹ your mind in the first jhana, concentrate your mind in the first jhana.'

7. "Then friends, at a later time, secluded from sensuality, secluded from unskillful (mental) qualities -- I entered & remained in the first jhana: rapture & happiness born of seclusion, accompanied by initial & sustained thinking.

8. "Friends, it is correct to say I am a disciple who attained great wisdom with the compassionate help of the Teacher."

1. This sutta uses the word ekaggata in reference to the first jhana (one of only 3 - the other 2 being MN 43 & MN 111); it also makes it clear that vitakka & vicara do not mean "initial and sustained attention" in the context of the jhanas as found in the suttas.

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Leigh Brasington / / Revised 19 Dec 12