[123] "And what, bhikkhus, is consciousness (viññāṇa)? There are these six classes of consciousness: eye-consciousness, ear-consciousness, nose-consciousness, tongue-consciousness, body-consciousness, mind-consciousness. This, bhikkhus, is called consciousness. With the origin of name-and-form (nāmarūpa) there is the origin of consciousness; with the cessation of name-and-form there is the cessation of consciousness. This very Noble Eightfold Path is the way of practice leading to the cessation of consciousness, namely: right view … right concentration.
"The pleasure and gladness that arise in dependence on consciousness: this is the gratification (assāda) in consciousness. That consciousness is impermanent, suffering (dukkha), and subject to change: this is the danger (ādīnava) in consciousness. The removal of desire and lust, the abandoning of desire and lust for consciousness: this is the escape (nissaraṇa) from consciousness.
"Bhikkhus, whatever ascetics or brahmins, having directly known (abhiññāya) consciousness thus, having directly known the origin of consciousness thus, having directly known the cessation of consciousness thus, having directly known the way of practice leading to the cessation of consciousness thus, having directly known the gratification in consciousness thus, having directly known the danger in consciousness thus, having directly known the escape from consciousness thus, are practicing for disenchantment with consciousness, for dispassion toward it, for its cessation — they are practicing well. Those who are practicing well have gained a firm footing in this Dhamma and Discipline.
"And, bhikkhus, whatever ascetics or brahmins, having directly known consciousness thus, having directly known the origin of consciousness thus, having directly known the cessation of consciousness thus, having directly known the way of practice leading to the cessation of consciousness thus, having directly known the gratification in consciousness thus, having directly known the danger in consciousness thus, having directly known the escape from consciousness thus, are liberated through disenchantment with consciousness, through dispassion, through cessation, liberated by non-clinging — they are well liberated. Those who are well liberated are consummate ones (kevalino); and for those who are consummate, there is no round for the describing of them.
"Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is skilled in the seven cases."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.