[233] **Four developments of concentration (samādhibhāvanā).** There is, friends, a development of concentration (samādhi) which, when developed and made much of, leads to a pleasant abiding in this very life. There is, friends, a development of concentration which, when developed and made much of, leads to the gaining of knowledge (ñāṇa) and vision. There is, friends, a development of concentration which, when developed and made much of, leads to mindfulness and clear comprehension. There is, friends, a development of concentration which, when developed and made much of, leads to the destruction of the taints (āsava).
And which, friends, is the development of concentration which, when developed and made much of, leads to a pleasant abiding in this very life? Here, friends, a bhikkhu, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome states, [enters and dwells in the first jhāna,] accompanied by thought (vitakka) and examination (vicāra) … he enters and dwells in the fourth jhāna. This, friends, is the development of concentration which, when developed and made much of, leads to a pleasant abiding in this very life.
And which, friends, is the development of concentration which, when developed and made much of, leads to the gaining of knowledge and vision? Here, friends, a bhikkhu attends to the perception of light; he resolves upon the perception of day: as by day, so by night; as by night, so by day. Thus, with a mind open and unenveloped, he develops a mind imbued with luminosity. This, friends, is the development of concentration which, when developed and made much of, leads to the gaining of knowledge and vision.
And which, friends, is the development of concentration which, when developed and made much of, leads to mindfulness and clear comprehension? Here, friends, for a bhikkhu feelings (vedanā) arise known, persist known, and pass away known; perceptions arise known, persist known, and pass away known; thoughts arise known, persist known, and pass away known. This, friends, is the development of concentration which, when developed and made much of, leads to mindfulness and clear comprehension.
And which, friends, is the development of concentration which, when developed and made much of, leads to the destruction of the taints? Here, friends, a bhikkhu dwells contemplating arising and passing away in the five aggregates subject to clinging: 'Such is form, such is the origin of form, such is the passing away of form. Such is feeling … Such is perception … Such are volitional formations … Such is consciousness, such is the origin of consciousness, such is the passing away of consciousness.' This, friends, is the development of concentration which, when developed and made much of, leads to the destruction of the taints.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.