Fivefold happiness (Buddhism)

Piti arises in opposition to ill-will and brings about, by degrees, an expansion of interest in the object of contemplation. Five kinds of happiness are enumerated in the "Path of Purification". These are: [minor happiness]

, sufficient only to raise the hairs on the body; [momentary happiness]

, like flashes of lightening; showering or [flooding happiness]

, breaking over the body like waves on the sea shore; uplifting or [transporting happiness]

, sufficient to lift the body into the air and transport it; [pervading happiness]

, when the body is totally suffused. This last is characteristic of the first jhana. When fivefold happiness is conceived and matured it perfects bodily and mental tranquillity which, in turn, perfects bodily and mental bliss. Conceived and matured, this bliss perfects momentary, access and absorption concentration.

One of the formations aggregate (mental coefficients) of Hinayana Buddhism, being listed among the constant states which appear in their true nature and as general secondary (sometimes present in any consciousness). One of the five constituent factors of jhana.