Aṭṭhakanāgarasutta

Suttapiṭaka · Majjhimanikāya · Vol. 13 · Section 22

[22] Furthermore, householder, with the complete transcending of perceptions of form, with the passing away of perceptions of sensory impact, with non-attention to perceptions of diversity, a bhikkhu, aware that 'space is infinite,' enters and dwells in the base of the infinity of space (ākāsānañcāyatana). He reflects thus: 'This attainment of the base of the infinity of space is conditioned (abhisaṅkhata) and volitionally produced (abhisañcetayita).' He understands: 'But whatever is conditioned and volitionally produced is impermanent, subject to cessation.' Standing therein … he arrives at the unsurpassed security from bondage (yogakkhema). Furthermore, householder, with the complete transcending of the base of the infinity of space, a bhikkhu, aware that 'consciousness is infinite,' enters and dwells in the base of the infinity of consciousness (viññāṇañcāyatana). He reflects thus: 'This attainment of the base of the infinity of consciousness is conditioned and volitionally produced.' He understands: 'But whatever is conditioned and volitionally produced is impermanent, subject to cessation.' Standing therein … he arrives at the unsurpassed security from bondage. Furthermore, householder, with the complete transcending of the base of the infinity of consciousness, a bhikkhu, aware that 'there is nothing,' enters and dwells in the base of nothingness (ākiñcaññāyatana). He reflects thus: 'This attainment of the base of nothingness is conditioned and volitionally produced.' He understands: 'But whatever is conditioned and volitionally produced is impermanent, subject to cessation.' Standing therein, he attains the destruction of the taints (āsava). If he does not attain the destruction of the taints, then through that very passion for the Dhamma, through that delight in the Dhamma, with the destruction of the five lower fetters he becomes one of spontaneous rebirth (opapātika), destined to attain final Nibbāna there, not liable to return from that world. This too, householder, is one thing declared by that Blessed One who knows and sees, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One, wherein, for a bhikkhu dwelling diligent, ardent, and resolute, the mind (citta) not yet liberated is liberated, the taints not yet destroyed come to destruction, and he arrives at the unsurpassed security from bondage not yet arrived at.

English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.