[517] "'The third jhāna (tatiyajjhāna), the third jhāna,' it is said. What now is the third jhāna? Then, friends, this occurred to me: 'Here a bhikkhu, with the fading away of rapture (pīti), dwells equanimous, and, mindful and clearly comprehending, he experiences happiness with the body; he enters and dwells in the third jhāna, of which the noble ones declare: "Equanimous, mindful, he is one who dwells in happiness"—this is called the third jhāna.'
So indeed, friends, with the fading away of rapture I dwelt equanimous, and, mindful and clearly comprehending, I experienced happiness with the body; I entered and dwelt in the third jhāna, of which the noble ones declare: 'Equanimous, mindful, he is one who dwells in happiness.' While I dwelt in that dwelling, friends, perceptions and attentions accompanied by rapture beset me.
Then, friends, the Blessed One, having approached me by spiritual power (iddhi), said this: 'Moggallāna, Moggallāna! Do not be negligent, brahmin, regarding the third jhāna. Steady the mind (citta) in the third jhāna; make the mind unified in the third jhāna; concentrate the mind in the third jhāna.'
So indeed, friends, on a later occasion, with the fading away of rapture I dwelt equanimous, and, mindful and clearly comprehending, I experienced happiness with the body; I entered and dwelt in the third jhāna, of which the noble ones declare: 'Equanimous, mindful, he is one who dwells in happiness.'
For if, friends, one speaking rightly should say of anyone … 'attained to greatness of direct knowledge (abhiññā).'"
¹ Yu (variant reading): vihāsiṃ. ² Yu: paṭisaṃvedesiṃ.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.