This paper contributes to considerations on the four-dhyanas of the Sarvastivada. Data center on the Abhidharmakosa, Abhidharma-mahavibhasa, and Abhidharma-nyayausara. In the Sarvastivada, the four-dhyanas are applied to the rupa-dhatu. In this combination, dhyana is divided into two sorts, upapattidhyana and samapattidhyana, cause and effect. Originally these two seem to have been separate. Now, the essence of dhyana is samadhi, and samadhi is cittaikagrata. Apparently using several terms help clarify the idea. In order to understand dhyana from a different viewpoint 18 subdivisions are introduced in the 4 dhyanas. These, it is said, may be subsumed under eleven. Two levels each are introduced into each dhyana. Overall, it is a very complicated system. But the meaning of dhyana is abundantly clear.
