[66] Ānanda, there are these eight liberations (vimokkha). What eight?
One possessing form sees forms: this is the first liberation. Not percipient of form internally, one sees forms externally: this is the second liberation. One is resolved only upon the beautiful: this is the third liberation. With the complete transcending of perceptions of form, with the passing away of perceptions of impingement, with non-attention to perceptions of diversity, [aware that] 'space is infinite,' one enters and dwells in the base of the infinity of space (ākāsānañcāyatana): this is the fourth liberation. With the complete transcending of the base of the infinity of space, [aware that] 'consciousness is infinite,' one enters and dwells in the base of the infinity of consciousness (viññāṇañcāyatana): this is the fifth liberation. With the complete transcending of the base of the infinity of consciousness, [aware that] 'there is nothing,' one enters and dwells in the base of nothingness (ākiñcaññāyatana): this is the sixth liberation. With the complete transcending of the base of nothingness, one enters and dwells in the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception (nevasaññānāsaññāyatana): this is the seventh liberation. With the complete transcending of the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception, one enters and dwells in the cessation of perception and feeling (saññāvedayitanirodha): this is the eighth liberation. These, Ānanda, are the eight liberations.
Ānanda, when a bhikkhu attains these eight liberations in forward order, attains them in reverse order, and attains them in both forward and reverse order — attaining them and emerging from them wherever he wishes, in whatever way he wishes, and for as long as he wishes — and when, through the destruction of the taints (āsava), he enters and dwells in the taintless liberation of mind and liberation by wisdom, having realized it for himself with direct knowledge in this very life, this bhikkhu, Ānanda, is called one liberated in both ways (ubhatobhāgavimutta). And, Ānanda, than this liberation in both ways there is no other liberation in both ways higher or more sublime.
Thus spoke the Blessed One. Pleased at heart, the Venerable Ānanda rejoiced in the Blessed One's words.
The Mahānidāna Sutta, the second, is concluded.
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The Mahāparinibbāna Sutta
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.