[515] On one occasion the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's Park. There the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna addressed the bhikkhus: "Friends, bhikkhus!" "Friend!" those bhikkhus replied to the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna. The Venerable Mahāmoggallāna said this:
"Here, friends, while I was alone in seclusion, a reflection arose in my mind (citta) thus: 'It is said, "the first jhāna, the first jhāna." What now is the first jhāna?' Then, friends, it occurred to me: 'Here a bhikkhu, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome states, enters and dwells in the first jhāna, which is accompanied by thought and examination, with rapture (pīti) and happiness born of seclusion. This is called the first jhāna.' Then, friends, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome states, I entered and dwelt in the first jhāna, which is accompanied by thought and examination, with rapture and happiness born of seclusion. While I was dwelling in that dwelling, perceptions and attention accompanied by sensuality assailed me.
"Then, friends, the Blessed One approached me by spiritual power (iddhi) and said this: 'Moggallāna, Moggallāna! Do not be negligent, brahmin, regarding the first jhāna. Steady your mind in the first jhāna; unify your mind in the first jhāna; concentrate your mind in the first jhāna.' Then, friends, on a later occasion, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome states, I entered and dwelt in the first jhāna, which is accompanied by thought and examination, with rapture and happiness born of seclusion.
"If, friends, one speaking rightly could say of anyone: 'He is a disciple who, assisted by the Teacher, attained to greatness of direct knowledge,' it is of me that one speaking rightly could say: 'He is a disciple who, assisted by the Teacher, attained to greatness of direct knowledge.'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.