[516] "'The second jhāna, the second jhāna,' it is said. What now is the second jhāna?" Then, friends, it occurred to me: "Here a bhikkhu, with the subsiding of thought (vitakka) and examination (vicāra), enters and dwells in the second jhāna (jhāna), which has internal confidence and unification of mind (citta), is without thought and without examination, and has rapture and happiness born of concentration (samādhi). This is called the second jhāna."
Then, friends, with the subsiding of thought and examination, I entered and dwelt in the second jhāna, which has internal confidence and unification of mind, is without thought and without examination, and has rapture and happiness born of concentration. While I dwelt in that dwelling, friends, perceptions and attentions accompanied by thought beset me.
Then, friends, the Blessed One approached me by spiritual power (iddhi) and said this: "Moggallāna, Moggallāna! Do not be negligent, brahmin, regarding the second jhāna. Steady your mind in the second jhāna; unify your mind in the second jhāna; concentrate your mind in the second jhāna."
Then, friends, on a later occasion, with the subsiding of thought and examination, I entered and dwelt in the second jhāna, which has internal confidence and unification of mind, is without thought and without examination, and has rapture and happiness born of concentration.
Friends, if one speaking rightly could say of anyone: "He is a disciple who, assisted by the Teacher, attained to greatness of direct knowledge (mahābhiññatā)," 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English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.