Question 6.2 Does the sitting posture affect the ability for beginners to concentrate, and enter jhàna? There are many yogis who sit on a small stool to meditate; can they enter jhàna?
Answer 6.2 The sitting posture is best for beginners. But those who have enough parami in (mindfulness-of-breathing)
The Venerable Sàriputta and the Venerable Subhåti are examples of this.
The Venerable Sàriputta was expert in the attainment of cessation (nirodha samapatti). When he went for alms in the village, he always entered the attainment of cessation at every house, before accepting their offerings. He accepted the offerings only after having emerged from the attainment of cessation. That was his nature.
The Venerable Subhåti was expert in loving-kindness meditation. He entered the loving-kindness jhàna also at every house before accepting the offerings. After emerging from the loving-kindness jhàna he accepted the offerings.
Why did they do this? They wanted the donor to get the maximum benefit. They knew that if they did this, immeasurable and superior wholesome kamma would occur in the donor's mental process. They had such loving-kindness for the donors to want to do this. Thus they were able to enter an attainment while in the standing posture. You should think about jhàna in the same way.
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