How to enter first jhana (Michael Taft)

How to Jhana — with Michael Taft

(Michael Taft Nondual Meditation) June 12, 2020: Jhanas (lit. "meditations") are special states of deep absorption that make a wonderful setup for doing awakening practices.

There is no way to happiness because happiness is the way

In this video, meditation teacher Michael Taft describes what jhanas are and clarifies the basic steps for getting into the first jhana.

Jhanas are meant to be enjoyable, and it's very important not to approach jhana in a mood of grasping, tightness, or struggle. Don't try too hard!

How to

Instead, approach jhana in a mood of pleasure, joy, gratitude, kindness, and openness. Learning to do jhana is an excellent way to supercharge your vipassana (insight) practice, or to stabilize the mind for nondual (advaita) awareness practices.

• 00:03 - Introduction
• 1:24 - The Setup for Jhana (getting focused, and allowing piti to arise)
• 9:16 - Entering the First Jhana (moving attention to the piti, then resting until unification occurs)
• 12:39 - Three Things that Can Happen Next (including going into the second jhana)
• 16:28 - How Jhana Can Change Your Life
• 20:49 - Books and other resources

Rob Burbea's Jhana retreat on DharmaSeed audio: dharmaseed.org/retreats/4496. Here is the transcript: drive.google.com/file/d/1VFtE...

Support the creation of more videos like this contributing on Patreon: michaeltaft.

• Michael Taft: deconstructingyourself.com

What is jhana?

It is unbroken attention (sustained attention) on something detached from the five senses, something like a nimitta ("sign" in meditation).

(Beth Upton) Jan. 23, 2023: This is a brief explanation of what is (and is not) a jhana.

• For more information on working with nimittas, take a look here: Working with a nimitta in meditation
• For more on the jhana factors [of absorption], take a look here: Learning to discern the jhana factors

These videos are made possible only by the generous donations of viewers. Please consider supporting this work: bethupton.com/support-my-work (bethupton) Find out more here: bethupton.com. Shot by Alexis P.N. @GuavaFunk: laffcotchtv. Contact: alexispn777@gmail.com

What is Zen Buddhism? Shaolin Temple

What is Zen Buddhism?

Did the great South Indian Buddhist sage Bodhidharma teach Shaolin kung fu to China?

.

Shaolin Monastery training is very severe.

(ReligionForBreakfast) April 24, 2025: [What is "Zen"? It is a Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word Chan (channa), which itself is the Chinese approximation of the Pali word jhana, which derives from the Sanskrit dhyana.

It refers to "meditative absorption," a profound meditative state of still or samadhi, which used to be misleadingly translated into English as "trance" but would have been better rendered "stillness" or "integrated coherence of mind," an all-one (unified, yogic) state of mind necessary for temporary mental purification that puts one in a position of being ready for sudden understanding, kensho or satori, or "insight" (Pali vipassana).

How do we find "Zen" directly?

(T&H Inspiration and Motivation) Alan Watts on finding Zen

All the Taoist, Brahminical, Shinto, Pure Land, Mahayana, Chinese and Japanese cultural baggage got blended into what we now refer to as "Zen Buddhism." Alan Watts does an excellent job of unpacking Zen at a detailed level. Here RFB does an admirable job of describing more generally the history and frame of what came to be modern Zen.

"If you meet the Buddha (a cult of personality or ultimate authority figure) on the road, [unalive] him" then means that the Truth we seek cannot be found outside ourselves, so the death of the ego is what is needed, the realization that there is, ultimately speaking, no self.]

• 00:00 Intro
• 1:42 The Legendary Origins
• 2:26 Bodhidharma and Buddha Nature
• 5:58 A special transmission outside of scriptures (sutra texts)
• 9:22 Lineage
• 10:13 Sudden Awakening
• 14:45 Zazen explained
• 17:04 Chan (Zen) moves to Japan
• 22:38 Zen Buddhism goes abroad
• Is the Shaolin Monastery a myth?

Use code RFBINCOGNI at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: incogni.com/rfbincogni. Join Patreon community: religionforbreakfast. Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters.

• Religion for Breakfast, April 24, 2025; Alan Watts (alanwatts.org) via T&H Inspiration and Motivation; TEXT: Dhr. Seven, Amber Larson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

I don't know how to meditate!

Dhr. Seven, Amber Larson, Wisdom Quarterly; Wikipedia edit asana

The initial effort becomes ease.

How does one meditate? "It's natural; it just happens" is one popular answer one almost never hears. It should be said out loud because the meditation instructions are usually so feeble that they amount to next to nothing to do: Just sit down. Close the eyes. Breathe. Don't fall asleep. When the mind wanders, and it will because that's the nature of the mind, bring it back. Start again. Do not scold it. Love it like a wayward child that can't relax. Stroke it like a nervous chicken that will, before long, settle down. Don't ruffle its feathers. If its feathers are ruffled all day, don't be surprised if when sitting down its feathers take a long time to settle. Be calm most of the day and, hey, whaddyaknow, it settles sooner.

What are the Eight Factors of Raja Yoga?

When that doesn't work, we can get meticulous and fall back on the long tradition of India and proto-India, which describes YOGA ("union" of breath/spirit, body, and mind) as ashtanga or "Eight Limbs" or arms or factors of union:

The Eight Limbs or "Factors of Union" are, in order, the:

1. codes of social conduct (yamas)
2. self-observances (niyamas)
3. postures (asanas)
4. breath work (pranayama)
5. sense withdrawal (pratyahara or non-attachment)
6. concentration (dharana)
7. meditation (dhyana)
8. coherence (samadhi or union with Brahman).

Yoga Teacher Nina Mel (Kennguru)

Postures, along with breath work, are the physical movements of yoga. Patanjali's Yoga Sutras describes asana as a "steady and comfortable posture" [19], referring to the seated postures used for breath work and meditation, where meditation is the path to samadhi or the transpersonal realization and stillness of a coherent mind/heart.

The Yoga Sutras do not mention a single seat or asana by name, merely specifying the characteristics of a good one: स्थिरसुखमासनम् ॥४६॥ sthira sukham āsanam. "Seats" [should be a balance of] "effort and ease" or "Seat means a steady and comfortable posture" (Yoga Sutras 2:46).

The sutras (threads, sutures, aphorisms, or terse sayings) are embedded in the Bhasya commentary, which scholars suggest may also be by Patanjali [23]. It names a dozen seated meditation postures, including lotus pose (padmasana), hero's pose (virasana), bound angle pose (bhadrasana), and accomplished pose (svastikasana) [24].

An easier way to meditate?

Brittenway; Amber Larson, Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly

The wisdom of Brad Warner (ACZC)

What if there were an easier way to "sit" meditation, zazen style? In yoga, asana literally means "seat." But how we sit, how we arrange our limbs to enter meditative states, is flexible. We need not lock into full lotus. There's half lotus, easy pose, ergonomic cushions, a small bench, a sturdy chair, and even sinking into the tub. We leave the body, and turn our attention to the other three objects/subjects of meditation: feelings, mind, and mind-objects. First, to enter the first meditation (jhana, zen, chan, dhyana), we can focus on the breath. But there are other ways. For instance, there's loving-kindness meditation, focusing all of our attention on well-wishing one respected person. See more at metta bhavana. Draw a bath, get a small bench for the knees, find a support for the lower back. It's even possible to lie down when practice gets better (otherwise we risk falling asleep). This company also has a solution: BRITENWAY Bed Wedge Pillow Set: 4-piece orthopedic wedge pillow set with 45D memory foam pillows for back, neck, head, shoulders support that's ergonomic

The author of the Yoga Sutras Patanjali describes asana practice as the third of the eight limbs (Sanskrit अष्टाङ्ग or aṣhṭāṅga) of Raja Yoga. The word asana is from Sanskrit (आसन, "sitting down," from आस् ās "to sit down"), a sitting posture, a meditation seat.

Blowing Zen: Japanese flute for calm (audio)

Pássaro Trovão - Sons Ancestrais, Oct. 16, 2017; Tod, Dhr. Seven, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Shakuhachi (the Japanese flute) - Kohachiro Miyata (full)

(Pássaro Trovão - Sons Ancestrais) What if there were a way to "blow," or pipe, Zen (suizen)? To communicate a calm experienced in meditative absorption (zen, jhana = dhyana, chan, seon) would be a marvelous thing, an induction or simulation of the deep serenity produced by these natural states of calm and tranquility (samatha bhavana or "cultivation of tranquility).

TRACKLIST:

1. Honshirabe
2. Sanya
3. Tusuru No Sugomori
4. Shika No Tone
5. Akita Sugagaki

CREDITS: Artwork (cover art) – Watanabe Seiti. Coordinator – Teresa Sterne Design. Art Direction – Paula Bisacca. Engineer – Larry Mericka. Liner notes – David Loeb. Mastered by – Robert C. Ludwig.* Producer, engineering, photography – David Lewiston. Shakuhachi – Kōhachiro Miyata.*

The Monks of Emptiness

Zen monk beggar spy on street corner

Suizen (吹禅) (“blowing Zen”) is a Zen practice consisting of playing the traditional Japanese shakuhachi bamboo flute as a means of attaining self-realization (1).

Suizen was traditionally practiced by the Komusō (“monks of emptiness”), the Zen Buddhist monks of the Fuke sect of Japan who flourished during the Edo period (1600-1868).

Instrumental music is rare in all Buddhist practice, where instruments usually accompany ritual chants if they are used at all.

With suizen, the playing of the shakuhachi as a spiritual exercise is at the core of the religious practice, making it unique in the world of Buddhism (2, 3). More

Dark and sweet scales: Michael Graham Allen

(Rita's Flute & Music, March 29, 2009) In this video the Coyote Oldman talks about the different moods a replica of an ancient Anasazi [Native American] flute can produce. Michael Graham Allen was one of three featured performers at the NSU Jazz Lab during the OK Flute Festival in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. To learn more about the man and the group go to: coyoteoldman.com, coyoteoldman.blogspot.com, and shopworks.com/coyote.

Thief, Boxer, Meditator (Ajahn Chah)

Ajahn Chah (ajahnchah.org) via Ven. Sujato, Ellie Askew, Dhr. Seven (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly

You may hurt me, but I'll be back to kick your...

If we have wrong understanding, we practice meditation like a thief who, after being caught, hires a lawyer to get out of trouble. Once out of trouble, we start stealing again.

Or we are like a boxer who gets beaten up, nurses the wounds, then goes off to fight again, which only brings fresh wounds. And this cycle goes on endlessly.

First I became calm then I developed insight.

The purpose of meditation is more than just calming [samadhi, absorption, bliss] ourselves from time to time, getting ourselves out of trouble [this present suffering]. Meditation is about seeing and uprooting the causes that made us uncalm to begin with.

Ajahn Chah: How to cook rice (video)

Ajahn Chah (ajahnchah.org) via Ven. Sujato, Ellie Askew, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Build a fire. Boil water. Wait for rice to cook.

The teachings of the Buddha, the Dharma, can help us solve our problems. But first we must practice and develop wisdom.

It's like wanting to have boiled rice. We must first build a fire and wait until the water comes to a boil then let the rice cook for as long as it needs to absorb the heat.

We can't just throw rice into a pot of water and have boiled rice right away.

How to Cook Rice Perfectly Every Time

Somewhere deep in China, there is a mountain

(Adam Liaw) Stovetop Method. Easy Asian Cooking. Cooking rice is not a difficult process at all. But it's unfortunate that there is a lot of bad information out there. Forget rinsing the rice in a sieve or "fluffing the grains with a fork," or seasoning it with salt. Asian people don't do any of this when making rice. This method works for lots of varieties -- jasmine, Japanese short grain or long grain, brown (whole grain) -- of rice and there is no need to measure anything. Electric cooktops are great for rice cooking, which is why many modern rice cooker machines use induction for speed and consistent heat. For more about ASKO induction cooktops visit: asko.com.au. For more Asian recipe inspiration follow me on Instagram at: instagram.com/adamliaw.

The great nun Uppalavanna

Eugene Watson Burlingame (BPS.lk, Wheel 354), edited by Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly

After gaining great concentration, purifying absorption (jhana), I gained liberating insight.

.

The Nun Uppalavaṇṇā Theri

The luminous golden calyx of the blue lotus

"AS SWEET AS HONEY" THINKS THE FOOL… This was said by the Teacher (the Buddha) while he was residing in Jetavana in reference to his chief disciple nun Uppalavaṇṇā (foremost in magical powers).

We are told that Ven. Uppalavaṇṇā made an earnest wish at the feet of a previous buddha, Padumuttara, and that after performing works of merit for 100,000 cycles of time. As she passed from rebirth to rebirth among devas and humans, she passed away from the deva-world in the dispensation of the historical Buddha Gautama.

She was reborn in Sāvatthī as the daughter of a wealthy merchant. The color of her skin was the hue of the [golden] calyx of the blue lotus. Therefore, she was given the name Uppalavaṇṇā. When she reached a marriageable age, all the princes and merchants in the land, without a single exception, sent gifts to her merchant father, asking him to give them his daughter in marriage.

Thereupon the merchant thought to himself, “I shall not be able to satisfy the wishes of all, but I shall find some way out of the difficulty.” So he summoned his daughter and said to her, “You might become a nun.” Now she was in her final rebirth prior to attaining nirvana (nibbāna), so his words fell on her head like fragrant oil 100 times refined.

So she replied, “Dear father, I'll become a nun.” So he prepared rich gifts in her honor, and walking with her to the Order of Nuns, he had her go forth (gain ordination). Not long after she had gone forth, her turn came to unlock the uposatha (lunar observance) hall. After she had lighted a lamp and swept the hall, her attention was attracted to the flame of the lamp.

Standing there, she looked repeatedly at the flame. And concentrating her attention on the element of fire, she entered into a state of deep concentration (jhana). Consummating the deep concentration, she attained arhatship together with the analytical knowledges.

Some time later she went on a pilgrimage for alms in the country, and on her return entered the Dark Forest. At that time nuns were not forbidden to reside in a forest. There they built for her a hut, set up a bed, and hung curtains. From the forest she went to Sāvatthī for alms and then returned to her hut.

No! - But, baby, I love you! - I said no. I'm a nun! - C'mon, I'm your cousin. Just once.

.

Now a cousin of hers, a young Brahmin named Ānanda [not the famous one], had been in love with her ever since she lived the household life prior to becoming a nun. So when he heard where she was living, he went to the forest ahead of her, broke into her hut, and hid under the bed.

On her return in the bright sunlight, she entered her dark hut, closed the door, and sat down on the bed waiting for her eyes to adjust. As soon as she sat down, the youth crawled out from under the bed and climbed on top of her. The nun cried out, “Fool, do not ruin me! Fool, do not ruin me!” But the youth overcame her resistance, did what he wanted, and went his way.

As if unable to endure his grave karmic offense, the great Earth burst open, swallowed him, and he was reborn in the most horrible hell Avīci ("the Waveless Deep").

Ven. Uppalavanna told the other nuns what had happened, and the nuns told the monks, and the monks told the Blessed One. Having heard this the Teacher addressed the monks, “Monks, the fool, whoever it may be -- whether monk or nun, male or female lay disciple -- who commits an unskillful act, acts with as much joy and happiness, with as much pleasure and delight, as if he were eating honey or sugar or some other sweet-tasting food.”

And joining the connection and instructing them in the Dharma, he pronounced the following stanza:

69. “As sweet as honey” thinks the fool

So long as an evil has not ripened,

But when that evil deed ripens,

Then to the fool comes suffering.

Some time later a throng assembled in the Dharma hall and began to discuss the incident: “Even those that have rid themselves of taints [become enlightened] like the pleasures of love and gratify their passions. Why should they not? They are not kolapa trees or ant-hills. They are living creatures with bodies of moist flesh. Therefore, they also like the pleasures of love and gratify their passions.”

The Teacher drew near and asked them, “Monks, what are you talking about?” They told him. Then he said, “Monks, those who have rid themselves of the taints neither like the pleasures of love nor gratify their passions. For even as a drop of water which has fallen on a lotus petal does not cling to it but rolls off, even as a mustard seed does not cling to the point of an awl but rolls off, precisely so -- sensual love does not cling to the heart of one who has rid himself of the taints nor does it remain there.”

And making the connection, he instructed them in the Dharma by pronouncing the following stanza (found in the Dhammapada chapter on Brahmins, Brāhmaṇa Vagga).

401. Who, like water drops on a lotus petal,

Or mustard seed on a needle point,

Clings not to sensual pleasures —

That one I call a Brahmin.

Now the Teacher summoned King Pasenadi Kosala and said to him, “Your majesty, in this Doctrine and Discipline young women of good family, as well as young men of good family, renounce many kinsfolk and much wealth, go forth, and take up residence in the forest [as wandering ascetics].

"In case women reside in the forest, it is possible that evil-minded men, inflamed by lust, may conduct themselves towards them with disrespect and arrogance, do them violence, and bring their celibate life to naught.

"Therefore, a place of residence for the Order of Nuns should be erected within the city.” The king agreed and had an abbey (a place of residence for the Order of Nuns) erected on one side of the city. From that time on the nuns resided only in the city.

The meaning of the Zen Circle (Enso)

Faena Aleph (faena.com/aleph...); Amber Larson, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Zen circle or enso (lionsroar.com)

“A circle as a vast space, which does not lack anything, nor does it have too much.”

These are the words used in the Shin Jin Mei, a text dating back to the 6th century, to describe the great path of Zen.

This Japanese discipline, derived from Mahayana Buddhism, was founded by the monk Bodhidharma, who imported Buddhist dhyana (jhana, channa, ch'an, seon, zen “meditation or absorption”) practice to China.

Some say that Bodhidharma sat facing a wall in a Shaolin cave for nine years, meditating, until he reached true understanding.

According to legend, his shadow was impressed upon the rock, leaving the indelible proof of a serene figure in a meditating pose.

Just like that image, projected by the insistent presence of Master Bodhidharma’s shadow, enso (which in Japanese literally means “circle”) embodies the act of imprinting the artist’s essence through a single stunning circular stroke.

The interior of enso, as described in the verse in the Shin Jin Mei, is a space that symbolizes, in addition to vacuity, the inexistence of the mind as proposed by Bodhidharma, the essential void of which reality is comprised.

The Zen monk, after meditating with extreme discipline in zazen (“sitting”), holds the paintbrush firmly, drenches it in ink, and promptly exhales a perfect circle that represents... More

Buddha Boy starts 3-year meditation: 2019

Maha Sambodhi Dharma Sangha Guru (maitriya.info/en); Dhr. Seven (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly

A major press conference was organized by the Nepali sangha (spiritual community). Bodhi Shrawan Dharma Sangha [the "Enlightenment Wandering-Ascetic Teaching Community"] held it at the Kathmandu press club on July 4, 2019 to deliver an unprecedented and joyful message to all peoples of Nepal and the entire world, disciples, sangha-members, devotees, followers, Dharma-lovers, and Truth-seekers:

It all began in private for a 7-year meditation

As of June 16, 2019 the most revered guru-jii, Maha Sambodhi Dharma Sangha ("Buddha Boy"), has once again entered maha-dhyana ("great meditative-absorption") or "supreme meditation" in the dharma forest of Sindhuli for three years.

During this time, major pujas (devotional ceremonies) and training programs will be conducted by the Sanyasi and Maatma Guru Marga gurus ["Great Truth Path teachers"].

Meditators gather to see Buddha Boy (FB)

Through this media conference, we wish to appeal to the government of Nepal for basic support and for maintenance of peace and protection of this sacred Dharma Land of Nepal to ensure the success of this arduous, glorious undertaking.

We are all praying for the joyful completion of Maha Sambodhi Dharma Sangha Gurujii's unique three-year Maha-dhyana Supreme Meditation.

We hereby share our maitri-filled wishes for all living beings of the universe, the entire Plant Kingdom, and all existence to absorb new inner-wisdom, punya karmafruits, and boundless gains of mukti-moksha liberation for all.

-- Sarva Maitri Mangalam

Buddha Boy (aka Ram Bahadur Bomjon, Palden Dorje, and now Maha Sambodhi Dharma Sangha) has a message for humanity (translated into English).

• Supreme Meditation for Peace on Earth (July 5, 2019)
• Reverencing all Gurus (May 26, 2019) Before the sacred lotus feet of the most highly revered and omniscient Maha Sambodhi Dharma Sangha Guru we bow eternally. The original mould of humanity...
• Maitri Language Bestowed (May 24, 2019) Inaugurating the 14th World Peace Maitri Puja on the auspicious occasion of the 14th anniversary of Gurujyu’s Six-year tapasya meditations from May 16...

News

• 2017 PHOTOS: Facebook.com/Buddha-Boy-of-Nepal
• Controversy: Does Buddha Boy have "dark secrets"?

The Seven Factors of Enlightenment (sutra)

Dhr. Seven, Amber Larson, Crystal Quintero, Wisdom Quarterly version based on original trans. by Ven. Piyadassi (accesstoinsight.org), Maha Kassapa Bojjhanga Paritta; Pali Kanon

The Buddha on stone slab/bed rock in Maha Kassapa's Pippali Cave (sirimangalo.org)

 

The Seven Factors of Enlightenment

Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One (Bhagavān, the Buddha) was living near Rajagaha (Rajgir, India) in the Bamboo Grove at the Squirrels' Feeding Ground.

At that time Ven. Maha Kassapa, living in Pipphali Cave, was afflicted with a grievous illness, suffering, gravely ill.

Then the Blessed One, arising from his solitude [emerging from deep meditation] in the evening visited Maha Kassapa and sat down on a prepared seat for him. Seated, the Blessed One spoke to Maha Kassapa:

"Well, Kassapa, how is it with you? Are you bearing up and enduring [this pain]? Do these pains decrease or increase? Are there signs of these pains decreasing and not of increasing?"

"No, venerable sir. I am not bearing up, I am not enduring, the pain is very great. There are signs not of these pains decreasing but increasing."

Close to Pipphali Cave are the Saptaparni Caves where "Buddhism" began, where a great number of enlightened monastics were convened by Ven. Maha Kassapa for the First Council after the Buddha's passing into final nirvana.

 

Rajgir, royal city ringed by seven hills.

"Kassapa, these Seven Factors of Enlightenment are well expounded and are cultivated and fully developed by me. They conduce to right understanding, to full realization (of the Four  Noble  Truths, which results in enlightenment) and to nirvana. What are these seven?

i. "Mindfulness, the factor of enlightenment, Kassapa, is well expounded by me, and is cultivated and fully developed by me; it conduces to right understanding, to full realization and to nirvana [called nibbana in Pali].

• This sutra is usually uttered as a "PROTECTIVE CHANT" (paritta) in the exclusively Buddhist language of Pali: Sati, sambojjhanga kho, Kassapa, maya samma dakkita bhavita bahuligata; abhinaya, sambodaya, nibbanaya, samvattati.

ii. "Keen investigation of phenomena (dhamma-vicaya and/or of the Buddha's Dharma), the factor of enlightenment, Kassapa, is well expounded by me, and is cultivated and fully developed by me. It conduces to right understanding, to full realization and to nirvana.

iii. "Persevering effort (energy), the factor of enlightenment, Kassapa, is well expounded by me and is cultivated and fully developed by me. It conduces to right understanding, to full realization and to nirvana.

iv. "Rapture (bliss), the factor of enlightenment, Kassapa, is well expounded by me, and is cultivated and fully developed by me. It conduces to right understanding, to full realization and to nirvana.

v. "Calm (tranquility, samatha), the factor of enlightenment, Kassapa, is well expounded by me, and is cultivated and fully developed by me. It conduces to right understanding, to full realization and to nirvana.

Even today, Theravada monastics use peaceful caves to practice (Sasin Tipchai/Bugphai).

 

vi. "Concentration (mental coherence, collectedness, full focus, meditative absorption), the factor of enlightenment, Kassapa, is well expounded by me, and is cultivated and fully developed by me. It conduces to right understanding, to full realization and to nirvana.

vii. "Equanimity (unbiased onlooking), the factor of enlightenment, Kassapa, is well expounded by me, and is cultivated and fully developed by me. It conduces to right understanding, to full realization and to nirvana.

"These seven factors of enlightenment, Kassapa, are well expounded by me and are cultivated and fully developed by me. They conduce to right understanding (right view, ditthi), to full realization and to nirvana."

"Most assuredly, O Blessed One, they are factors of enlightenment! Most assuredly, O Welcome One (Sugata), they are factors of enlightenment!"

Thus said the Buddha, and Ven. Maha Kassapa glad at heart approved of these utterances. Thereupon, Ven. Maha Kassapa recovered from that affliction, and Maha Kassapa's affliction disappeared then and there.

Why is this sutra so famous?
Wisdom Quarterly (COMMENTARY)

Shakyamuni Buddha, Thailand

This discourse (sutra) -- which became an even more famous "protective chant" (paritta) is renowned because of three things that happened.

Not only was the Buddha's eminent disciple Ven. Maha Kassapa -- "Father of the Sangha" -- healed by hearing it/bringing it to mind, the same happened to one of the Buddha's four chief disciples, the one "foremost in magical powers" Ven. Maha Moggallana, and then to the Buddha himself!

Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was living near Rajagaha in the Bamboo Grove by the Squirrels' Feeding Ground. At that time Ven. Maha Moggallana, who was living on Gijjhakuta Hill (Vultures' Peak, where the Buddha often resided), was afflicted with a disease. He was in great pain and gravely ill. Then the Blessed One, emerging from his solitude (meditative absorption) in the evening, visited Maha Moggallana and sat down on a seat prepared for him... (This sutra continues exactly as the previous discourse replacing "Maha Kassapa" with the name "Maha Moggallana").

Buddhist (and Jain) Rajgir still exists as a functioning city in Bihar, India (iloveindia.com)