The Perfectly Enlightened One Prohibits Monks from Boasting about a Non-Existence of State of Further-Men in Oneself

Whatever Monk should boast, with reference to himself of a state of further-men (attainment of Jhānas or Stage of Enlightenment), sufficient noble wisdom and insight, though not knowing it fully, and saying: This I know, this I see, then if later on, he, being pressed or not being pressed, fallen, should aspire to be purified, and should say: Your Venerable Sir, I said that I know what I do not know, see what I do not see, I spoke idly, falsely, with conceit apart from the undue estimate of himself, he also is one who is defeated, he is not in communion.

(Reference: Pi Tv Bu Vb Pj 4)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how a Practitioner should not boast about their attainments on The Path to Enlightenment. In reality, there is no need to even discuss one’s own attainments on The Path to Enlightenment.

If a Practitioner is experiencing the Jhānas or a Stage of Enlightenment, then continue to focus on development of one’s own life practice to further awaken the mind. Being boastful, arrogant, prideful, or even discussing one’s own attainments with anyone other than one’s own Teacher, would be to do so with arrogance and pride, therefore, inhibiting progress to Enlightenment.

While attaining the Jhānas or any Stage of Enlightenment is outstanding for that individual, the goal is to attain Enlightenment as an Arahant, not to become boastful about experiencing any aspect of these attainments. Allowing the ego to arise based on one’s attainments is to create further obstacles that will need to be overcome.

It is only Enlightenment itself, as an Arahant, that is permanent. All the other attainments are impermanent and the mind is not meant to dwell there but instead, one should continue to remain determined, dedicated, and diligent to progress to Enlightenment. That will not occur if one becomes boastful of the lesser attainments or the first, second, or third Stages of Enlightenment.

As the mind experiences increasingly high degrees of focus, concentration, memorization, and clarity, always remain humble and appreciative of having discovered these Teachings and being able to learn, reflect, and practice in such a way that you can experience the results of the attainments. There are countless beings who have not yet been able to discover these Teachings, and they continue to suffer as a result. Rather than being boastful, arrogant, or prideful, cultivate loving-kindness and compassion for all those who have not yet been able to realize the attainments experienced on The Path to Enlightenment.